In its usual package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is taking legal action against Spain for failing to comply with its obligations under EU law in the following areas: Environmental impact assessment Maritime Spatial Planning Market Abuse Directive Internal energy market Energy efficiency Protection of workers from carcinogenic chemicals The main decisions adopted by […]
Commission refers five Member States to the Court of Justice of the EU
The European Commission decided yesterday to refer Czechia [INFR 2020/0510], Ireland [INFR 2020/0531], Romania [INFR 2020/0555], Slovakia [INFR 2020/0563] and Spain [INFR 2020/0521], to the Court of Justice of the European Union over the failure to transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (“AVMSD”, Directive (EU) 2018/1808), with a request to impose financial sanctions in accordance with Article 260(3) TFEU. The AVMSD governs EU-wide coordination of […]
EU adopts fifth package of sanctions against Russia
In light of Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine, and the reported atrocities committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine, the Council decided to impose a fifth package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. The agreed package includes a series of measures intended to reinforce pressure on the Russian government and economy, and […]
President Metsola asks Russia to free protesters: truth is not easily suppressed
President Metsola called on the Russian authorities to free all anti-invasion peaceful protesters unjustly detained, at the opening of the plenary session in Strasbourg. As the shelling of Ukraine continues unabated and the number of civilian casualties increases, President Metsola said: “Our outrage grows with every shell that is fired, as does Ukraine’s defiance and […]
Remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell at the press conference after Extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council
Extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council: Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the press conference This is not the East against the West. This is not a remake of the Cold war. We are defending the sovereignty of the nations, all nations. Today’s extraordinary session of the Foreign Affairs Council has indeed been extraordinary. It […]
Commission suspends cooperation with Russia on research and innovation
Following the Russian invasion against Ukraine and in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, the Commission has decided to suspend the cooperation with Russian entities in research, science and innovation. The Commission will not conclude any new contracts nor any new agreements with Russian organisations under the Horizon Europe programme. Furthermore, the Commission is suspending payments to […]
Commission suspends cross-border cooperation and transnational cooperation with Russia and Belarus
Following the Russian military aggression against Ukraine and in line with the Commission’s decision to fully implement all EU restrictive measures, the Commission has suspended the cooperation with Russia and its ally Belarus in the European Neighbourhood Instrument cross-border cooperation programmes (ENI CBC) as well as in the Interreg Baltic Sea region programme. This means, among others, that no […]
Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine: Council imposes sanctions on 26 persons and one entity
The Council today added 26 persons and one entity to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The new listings include oligarchs and businessmen active in the oil, banking and finance sectors, as well as government members, and high level military personalities, and propagandists who contributed to spread […]
Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine: EU imposes sanctions against President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov and adopts wide ranging individual and economic sanctions
The EU today decided to sanction Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. The Council also agreed on a further package of individual and economic measures covering also Belarus to respond to the unprovoked and unjustified military aggression carried out by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. President Putin and his government […]