The Spanish economy is estimated to have expanded by 2.5% in 2023, marginally above what was projected in autumn, with preliminary data for the fourth quarter pointing to an acceleration (0.6% q-o-q) compared to the third quarter. Private consumption and, to a lesser extent, investment were the key drivers of GDP growth throughout 2023. External […]
European Commission steps up action to tackle critical shortages of medicines and strengthen security of supply in the EU
The Commission has adopted a set of actions to better prevent and mitigate critical medicine shortages in the EU, this winter, next winter and beyond. Recent critical shortages, including of certain antibiotics last winter, show that continued coordinated action is needed to address supply challenges and to make Europe’s medicine supply chains more resilient in […]
EU steps up action to prevent shortages of antibiotics for next winter
The European Commission, the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) are today issuing recommendations for actions to avoid shortages of key antibiotics used to treat respiratory infections for European patients in the next winter season. These recommendations, which have been developed through the Executive Steering Group on Shortages and Safety […]
European Comission publishes the Winter Economic forecast for Spain
Spain weathered relatively well the negative shocks unleashed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022. The resilience of the economy was underpinned by the strong rebound in tourism over the summer season and dynamism of private consumption, also supported by positive labour market developments. Compared to the Autumn Forecast, growth for 2022 is […]
EU leaders addressed how to help Ukraine through the winter
EU leaders met in Brussels for a one-day summit. They adopted conclusions on Ukraine/Russia, energy and economy, security and defence, the Southern Neighbourhood, transatlantic relations and other items, covering Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine The European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and […]
Commission rallies Member States to prepare for autumn and winter
The Commission is proposing concrete measures to avoid a surge of COVID-19 cases in the upcoming autumn and winter season. The Commission is urging Member States to put the necessary strategies and structures in place, including for COVID-19 vaccination and surveillance, to respond to future outbreaks in a fast and sustained manner. The main aim of […]
Extraordinary Energy Council: EU countries agree to reduce gas demand by 15%
At an extraordinary meeting of the Energy Council, EU ministers committed to reducing gas demand by 15% this winter, as a demonstration of solidarity. This reduction is voluntary but could become mandatory if a security of supply alert is triggered. EU energy ministers reached a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand […]
Spain’s assessment of the European Commission’s ‘Save gas for a safe winter’ package
Teresa Ribera, Vice-President of the Government and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, has called for a debate on the ‘Save gas for a Safe winter’ package presented yesterday by the European Commission aimed to reduce the impact of a possible total cut-off of Russian gas supplies to the EU: “we understand that […]
Commission proposes gas demand reduction plan to prepare EU for supply cuts
The European Union faces the risk of further gas supply cuts from Russia, due to the Kremlin’s weaponisation of gas exports, with almost half of our Member States already affected by reduced deliveries. Taking action now can reduce both the risk and the costs for Europe in case of further or full disruption, strengthening European […]