The Council launched today EUNAVFOR ASPIDES. The objective of this defensive maritime security operation is to restore and safeguard freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf. Operation ASPIDES will ensure an EU naval presence in the area where numerous Houthi attacks have targeted international commercial vessels since October 2023. In close cooperation […]
New EU rules for financial services contracts
The Council has adopted a directive concerning financial services contracts concluded at a distance. This is the last step in the decision-making procedure. The text adopted simplifies existing legislation, increases consumer protection, and creates a level playing field for financial services concluded online, via telephone or through other forms of remote marketing. Today we adapt EU rules […]
European Parliament condemns Hamas attack, calls for humanitarian truce
Parliament has condemned Hamas’ despicable terrorist attacks against Israel while expressing serious concern over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. In the resolution adopted on Thursday with 500 votes in favour, 21 against and 24 abstentions, MEPs strongly condemn the brutal attacks, express their support to Israel and its people and underline the need […]
European Commission will adopt EU roadmap to step up fight against drug trafficking and criminal networks
The Commission will adopt an EU Roadmap to step up the fight against drug trafficking and criminal networks, building on the legislative and operational initiatives put forward so far. The drugs trade is one of the most significant security threats faced by the EU today. Seizures of cocaine in the EU are hitting record levels, with 303 tonnes […]
EDIRPA: regulatory green light to boost common procurement in EU defence industry
The Council adopted a regulation establishing an instrument for the Reinforcement of the European Defence Industry through common procurement (EDIRPA), paving the way for its entry into force. The regulation will incentivise cooperation in defence procurement between member states in order to increase solidarity, prevent crowding-out effects, increase the effectiveness of public spending and reduce excessive fragmentation in defence procurement. […]
Horizon Europe: Security of robust AI systems
Expected Outcome Projects’ results are expected to contribute to some or all of the following outcomes: Security-by-design concept and resilience to adversarial attacks; Inclusion of context awareness in machine learning in order to boost resiliency. Scope Proposals received under this topic will address the security of AI systems, in the line with the following considerations. […]
EU proposes comprehensive new on Climate-Security nexus
The European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication laying out how the EU will address the growing impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the fields of peace, security, and defence. Recurrent climate extremes, rising temperatures and sea levels, desertification, water scarcity, threats to biodiversity, environmental pollution and contamination are threatening the health and […]
G7 leaders to meet in Hiroshima
G7 Hiroshima Leaders’ Communiqué 1. We, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), met in Hiroshima for our annual Summit on May 19-21, 2023, more united than ever in our determination to meet the global challenges of this moment and set the course for a better future. Our work is rooted in respect for […]
A new method to help policymakers defend democracy against hybrid threats
Hybrid threats pose a specific danger to the EU and other democracies, because they target core democratic processes and weaken citizens’ trust in their institutions and governments. In recent years, authoritarian regimes and non-state actors use hybrid threats to achieve their hostile, strategic objectives. By combining different types of tools and organised actions, such as […]