The second EU-Moldova Summit marked a further step forward in relations between the EU and the Republic of Moldova and highlighted the country’s remarkable progress on its path towards the EU. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of Moldova, Maia […]
Regions call on the EU to take measures to unlock the full potential of SMEs in the defence sector
SMEs must play a much greater role in the European defence industry. This is the main conclusion of the meeting held by the European Committee of the Regions’ (CoR) Working Group on Defence on 16 June in Cartagena, its first meeting outside Brussels. Its members called for simpler procedures, better access to funding and public […]
The Commission welcomes the political agreement on seeds and other plant reproductive material
The European Commission welcomes the political agreement reached last night by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament on the revision and simplification of EU legislation on plant reproductive material (PRM). Today’s agreement modernises the current legislation, enabling producers and businesses to benefit from the latest innovations, technologies and digitalisation in this field. […]
The EU agrees to accelerate the development of the defence industrial base and streamline public procurement in the defence sector
The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU to simplify public procurement in the fields of security and defence, facilitate investment in defence and support the defence industry. The Commission proposed the comprehensive package of defence measures a year ago, as part of the […]
The Commission fines Temu €200 million for breaching the Digital Services Act
The European Commission has fined Temu €200 million under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The company failed to properly identify, analyse or assess the systemic risks arising from the sale of illegal products on its platform and the resulting harm to consumers in the European Union. The evidence available to the Commission indicates that it […]
The Commission publishes a simplification analysis of the EU Regulation on deforestation
The Commission has published a report on the simplification ofthe revised EU Deforestation Regulation(EUDR)and a set of additional measuresto ensure its smooth and effective implementation, following the agreement reached by the co-legislators last December. These measures will provide greater clarity for economic operators, Member States, third countries and other stakeholders, whilst ensuring legal certainty and […]
MEPs support the reduction of tariffs on US agricultural and industrial products.
On Thursday, the Committee on International Trade adopted its position on two proposals implementing certain tariff aspects of the Turnberry trade agreement between the EU and the US. MEPs on the Committee on International Trade adopted their position ontwo legislative proposalsthat remove most tariffs on industrial and agricultural products from the United States, with 29 […]
EP calls for addressing China’s restrictions on rare earth exports
Parliament is concerned about China’s export restrictions on key raw materials and the impact on the EU economy. On 4 April 2025, China imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and magnets used in the defence, energy and automotive sectors in response to increased US tariffs on Chinese products. Under the new rules, exporters […]
Commission restricts Chinese participation in medical devices procurement
The European Commission decided to exclude Chinese companies from EU government purchases of medical devices exceeding €5 million. This measure follows the conclusions of the first investigation under the International Procurement Instrument (IPI), and allows no more than 50% of inputs from China for successful bids. This response is proportionate to China’s barriers, while ensuring that all the necessary medical devices […]