The EU wants to enable better access to health data for citizens, health professionals and researchers across borders. In May 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal on the European Health Data Space, which aims to improve the use of health data for research, innovation and policymaking. At the same time, Europeans should have […]
EU companies doubled R&D investment growth in 2022
Europe’s industry significantly increased its investment in research and development in 2022, according to the 2023 edition of the EU Industrial Research & Development (R&D) Investment Scoreboard. EU private R&D investment growth has reached the highest rate since 2015 and more than doubled compared to 2021, with 13.6% increase in 2022. In comparison, China has decreased […]
EU and Greenland sign strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chains
The EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Greenland for a strategic partnership to develop sustainable raw materials value chains. Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, signed the MoU with the Government of Greenland, Minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice […]
The European Union’s leading-edge trade agreement with New Zealand
The EU has completed political procedures ratifying the ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand. The decision by the Council of the European Union comes less than a week after the European Parliament gave its consent. The deal is expected to cut some €140 million a year in duties for EU companies. As a […]
Mexico: EU releases €1.3 million in humanitarian aid following the impact of hurricane Otis
Following the impact of hurricane OTIS on the West coast of Mexico, the EU will provide €1.3 million in humanitarian assistance to help address the most urgent needs of the affected population. The funding will provide assistance to the most vulnerable, including shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as support for livelihoods and other […]
EU cybersecurity exercise to foster cooperation and promote free and fair EU elections
To evaluate and strengthen current working methods ahead of the 2024 elections, EU institutions have organised a cybersecurity exercise. National and EU partners tested their crisis plans and possible responses to potential cybersecurity incidents affecting the European elections. The exercise is part of the measures being implemented by the European Union to ensure free and […]
Council and Parliament agree new rules to restore and preserve nature in the EU
The Council presidency and European Parliament representatives reached a provisional political agreement on a regulation on nature restoration. The proposal aims to put measures in place to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. It sets specific, legally binding targets […]
Commission adopts 2023 Enlargement package
The European Commission adopted the 2023 Enlargement Package, providing a detailed assessment of the state of play and the progress made by Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and for the first time also Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia on their respective paths towards accession to the European Union. […]
Eurostat: Income inequality across the EU
In 2022, the median equivalised disposable income in the EU was 18 706 purchasing power standards (PPS) per inhabitant, increasing from 18 011 PPS recorded in 2021. At the national level, the EU countries with the highest median disposable incomes in 2022 were Luxembourg (33 214 PPS), the Netherlands (25 437 PPS), Austria (25 119 PPS), Belgium (24 142 PPS), Denmark (23 244 PPS) and Germany (23 197 PPS). […]