EU Commission

EU Humanitarian Air Bridge to deliver emergency aid to Haiti following earthquake

An EU Humanitarian Air Bridge operation consisting of two flights is delivering more than 125 tonnes of life-saving materials to humanitarian organisations active in Haiti, as part of the EU…

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EU sets research and innovation priorities for a sustainable future

The European Commission has adopted the first strategic plan for Horizon Europe, the new EU research and innovation programme worth €95.5 billion in current prices. The strategic plan is a novelty…

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Vaccines: contract between European Commission and AstraZeneca now published

Following the renewed request from the European Commission on 27 January 2021, pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has agreed to publish the redacted contract signed between the two parties on 27 August 2020. The…

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Commission takes further steps to foster the openness, strength and resilience of Europe’s economic and financial system

The European Commission today presented a new strategy to stimulate the openness, strength and resilience of the EU's economic and financial system for the years to come. This strategy aims to better…

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Commission approves €300 million Austrian scheme to support organisers of events affected by coronavirus outbreak

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €300 million Austrian scheme to support organisers of events affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under…

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EU struggles to formulate common approach to travel as coronavirus cases spike around the continent

The EU finds itself in a situation reminiscent of that experienced back in March at the onset of the pandemic, with national capitals failing to coordinate national health policies and…

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Hungary says new EU proposal on rule of law conditions ‘unacceptable’

Hungary considers a new proposal by the European Union presidency to tie future EU aid to rule of law conditions to be “unacceptable,” Justice Minister Judit Varga said on Tuesday.…

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EU fines German car parts makers 18 million euros for cartels

The European Commission said on Tuesday that it had fined German car parts makers Brose and Kiekert a combined 18 million euros (16.33 million pounds) for taking part in two cartels. Brose…

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EU foreign policy chief ‘will do whatever he can’ for Belarus sanctions

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said he will do whatever he can for sanctions against Belarus to be adopted. "It is becoming a personal commitment because I understand clearly…

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UPDATED: EU chief executive unveils blueprint to get Europe back on its feet

The European Union's chief executive on Wednesday painted a sober picture of the bloc grappling with a pandemic and the deepest recession in its history, but laid out ambitious goals…

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Ireland nominates two contrasting candidates to replace former EU commissioner Hogan

Ireland’s government on Friday nominated two contrasting personalities to replace Phil Hogan, after the Irish politician resigned as EU trade chief last week. POLITICO reports that it is not certain that Ireland will retain…

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EU proposes €244m in assistance to Malta under SURE instrument to support jobs

The European Commission has presented proposals to the Council for decisions to grant financial support of €81.4 billion to 15 Member States under the SURE instrument. SURE is a central…

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India in talks with EU for trade deal, open to pact with UK

India has started trade talks with the European Union (EU) and is open to dialogue with the United Kingdom for a free trade agreement, the trade minister said on Saturday,…

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EU leaders to meet in Brussels on 17-18 July in hope to finalise economic stimulus plan

European Union leaders will meet in Brussels on July 17-18 to haggle over a proposed COVID-19 economic stimulus and their next joint budget, a spokesman said, the first such in-person talks in…

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Visegrad Four countries call for a “fair” allocation of EU’s €750 billion Coronavirus recovery fund

The Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Four (V4) countries have called for a “fair” allocation of EU’s €750 billion Coronavirus recovery fund, known as “Next Generation EU”, following a meeting…

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EU terminates controls on export of coronavirus protective equipment

The European Union ended its controls on the export of coronavirus protective equipment on Tuesday after concluding that supplies for European medical and other workers were now adequate. It's the latest phasing down of coronavirus…

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Europe must emerge stronger from this crisis

By the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli, the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen In…

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EU confident of recovery in 2021 if effective assistance is given to business employment

In its COVID-dominated Spring forecast, the European Commission forecasts the 27-member-group’s economy to contract by 7.5% this year, far deeper than the haemorrhage experienced during the global financial crisis in…

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European Commission approves a €5.3million COVID-19 R&D Fund for Malta

The European Commission has approves a €5.3million COVID-19 Research & Development Fund for Malta. The aim of this Fund will be to provide innovative and/or improved approaches with regards to…

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EU institutions raise concerns over Zoom

EU Commission staff have been advised not to use video conferencing platform Zoom for official work, after a series of privacy concerns over the California-based tech company. Staff are being…

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EU auditors ask Commission to ensure accountability in COVID-19 temporary support measures

The European Commission is proposing a temporary relaxation of spending rules for the European structural and investment (ESI) funds in order to help Member States in mitigating the effects of…

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EP to discuss, vote on latest support measures supporting EU countries

The European Parliament will meet in plenary today and tomorrow to debate and vote on the latest Commission proposals to address the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak in the EU.…

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Life will get back to normality if we all pull the same rope – Stella Kyriakides, EU Commissioner

Among the women at the helm of the EU’s Coronavirus Crisis Team is Cypriot Commissioner Stella Kyriakides. Like many other leaders, she describes the current fight against the pandemic as…

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EU approves €1 billion in incentives to support Croatian economy

The European Commission has approved two Croatian schemes to support the Croatian economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Croatia notified to the Commission under the Temporary Aid Framework…

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EC designates €160 million for security projects by industry

The European Commission launched a €160 million call for proposals for joint defence industrial projects in 2020. The Commission is looking to fund projects in 12 different defence categories including…

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European Commission creates first ever rescEU stockpile of medical equipment

The European Commission has decided to create a strategic rescEU stockpile of medical equipment such as ventilators and protective masks to help EU countries in the context of the COVID-19…

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Britain must respect EU’s independence – Barnier

Britain must respect the EU's "independence" and accept that the bloc has its own red-lines in trade talks, the bloc's chief negotiator has warned Boris Johnson, according to The Independent. Michel…

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New accession methodology adopted by EC College of Commissioners

The College of the European Commission has adopted a proposal for a new methodology for the accession negotiations today. “The whole process needs to be more credible, more predictable, more…

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Not a goodbye, but a see you later: MEPs approve final Brexit deal

Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday approved a withdrawal agreement that will see the United Kingdom formally leaving the EU by the end of the week. Denise Grech witnessed…

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MEPs reject Romanian and Hungarian nominees for European Commission

Members of the European Parliament on Thursday rejected the Romanian and Hungarian nominees for the next European Commission over concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The decisions by the Parliament's…

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Warning on increasing possible terrorist drone use in attacks

EU Security Commissioner Julian King on Saturday warned about the potential use of drones to carry out terrorist attacks. In an interview with the German newspaper, Welt, which was published online…

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Brussels takes Hungary to court for criminalising activities that help asylum seekers

The European Commission is referring Hungary to the EU’s highest court after Budapest further tightened eligibility requirements for asylum seekers and made it a criminal offense to help refugees. The 2018 law…

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Irish Cabinet opposes EU time change plan

The Irish government will oppose an EU proposal that would end seasonal clock changes because it could result in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland being in different time…

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SPD insists German coalition Government won’t split over Ursula von der Leyen nomination

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition will not collapse over European Union leaders’ choice of Germany’s Ursula von der Leyen to head the European Commission, Katarina Barley, who led the German…

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Political storm in Germany over choice of von der Leyen for European Commission chief

The nomination of German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen as new European Commission chief has sparked fresh tensions within Chancellor Angela Merkel's fragile coalition that threatened to split her…

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Photo Story: Presidents reunion

(L-R) The EU Commission President and Former President Jose Manuel Barroso, Jacques Santer, Jean-Claude Juncker, Romano Prodi and World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy, pose for a photo…

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EU publishes strategic agenda for next 5 years

Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, announced that the European Union (EU) now has "a new Strategic Agenda for the EU setting the priorities and direction for 2019-2024". Tusk…

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EU delays accession talks with N. Macedonia and Albania

EU ministers have decided to delay opening accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia. The European Commission last month recommended that accession talks should begin with the Balkan countries after…

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Conte in favour of Merkel as the next president of the European Commission

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that German Chancellor Angela Merkel would be a good candidate to be the next president of the European Commission, while adding that he does…

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Macron ready to back Merkel for new European Commission President post

French President Emmanuel Macron told Swiss TV station RTS that he would back German Chancellor Angela Merkel for European Commission president. Politico reports that Macron, when asked about his…

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EU reviewing past money-laundering cases at banks in the EU

The European Commission is reviewing past money-laundering cases at EU banks to assess what went wrong and decide possible tweaks to rules. Under the plan, the European Commission is assessing…

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EU Commission says Italy is in breach of EU fiscal rules

The European Commission concluded on Wednesday that Italy is in breach of EU fiscal rules because of its growing debt, a situation that justifies the launch of a disciplinary…

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Italy set for infringement procedure by EU if figures confirmed

European Budget Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said Wednesday that Brussels may open an infringement procedure against Italy for excessive deficit. "If the (forecasted) figures are confirmed, we will not be…

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Italy wants greater role in upcoming nominations for top EU posts

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told European Council President Donald Tusk that Italy has the right to a lead role when it comes to the upcoming nominations for top…

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EU leaders not agreeing on process to choose successor to Juncker

European leaders are split over the process for choosing the next president of the European Commission and face stormy negotiations on top jobs after this month’s EU elections. Emmanuel Macron,…

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Strength in unity: Commission makes recommendations for the EU’s next strategic agenda 2019-2024

Ahead of the meeting of EU27 leaders in Sibiu, Romania, tomorrow, the European Commission is setting out a number of policy recommendations for how Europe can shape its future in…

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Warning that British MEPs in next EU parliament could create ‘messy’ situation

Jyrki Katainen, the European Commission Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, warned that the prospect of British candidates getting into the European Parliament and then leaving after Brexit could…

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Juncker sceptical Poland will leave the EU

Out-going EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker Poland is unlikely to leave the European Union, even if the ruling euro sceptic Law and Justice (PiS) party wins re-election this year,…

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EPP expected to remain the largest grouping after May elections… Farage’s Brexit Party to top EU elections in Britain

An alliance of pro-EU centre right, socialist and liberal parties would win an absolute majority in next month's European Parliament election, though eurosceptic groups will gain ground, a survey showed…

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The European Parliament approves strengthening of Frontex

The European Parliament adopted the proposal, piloted and negotiated by Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola, to reinforce the European Border and Coast Guard Agency with a standing corps of 10,000 border guards…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead 8-13 April 2019

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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No-deal Brexit would have ‘significant negative consequences’ on EU fishing firms

Karmenu Vella, the European Union's Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner said on Friday the bloc was hoping to maintain reciprocal access to UK fishing waters after Brexit but…

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EU takes legal action against Poland

The EU has launched fresh legal action against Poland over controversial reforms to its legal system which it said represent a serious setback for legal freedoms. The European Commission…

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€74 million EU-funded project to provide Malta with better drinking water

The European Commission adopted a €4 billion investment package for infrastructure projects across 10 Member States consisting of 25 large infrastructure projects in 10 Member States. Almost €74 million will…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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EU Commission reacts to vote by saying no-deal Brexit on April 12 ‘likely’ – EU Summit scheduled for April 10

EU Council President Donald Tusk has announced that in view of the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement by the House of Commons, he decided to call a European Council on 10…

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European Commission welcomes European Parliament’s vote on new rules facilitating access to online TV and radio content

Following the European Parliament's approval of modernised copyright rules earlier this week, today the Parliament endorsed another crucial piece of legislation to make the copyright rules fit for the digital…

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