Comuniq.EU

EU votes in favour of classifying abortion access as a fundamental right

The European Parliament has voted in favour of including access to abortion in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights. The European Parliament has voted in favour of including access to…

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Code of conduct for fair electoral practices ahead of June EU vote

European political parties have signed a code of conduct ahead of European Parliament elections scheduled in June in which they pledge to "support ethical and fair electoral practices", the European…

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Poland won’t accept migrant relocation mechanism, PM says

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland will not accept a European Union immigrant relocation mechanism despite the European Parliament's approval of legislation meant to curb migration into the continent. European…

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Euro zone investor morale hits two-year high in April

Investor morale in the euro zone improved for the sixth consecutive month in April to its highest level in more than two years, a survey showed this week, adding that…

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EU Parliament approves law to slash trucks’ carbon footprint

The European Parliament voted on Wednesday to pass a law to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from trucks, which will require most new heavy-duty vehicles sold in the EU from 2040…

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EU parliament approves migration system revamp ahead of bloc’s election

By Nette Noestlinger and Gabriela Baczynska European lawmakers on Wednesday approved a revamped migration system that the pro-EU political centre promises would reduce irregular arrivals as it seeks to stem…

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‘Russia must not prevail,’ EU tells the world’

The EU will ramp up its rhetoric against Moscow when finance ministers travel to Washington for international meetings next week, according to draft statements seen by POLITICO. “Russia must not…

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Frontex rattled by probe into contract with travel agency accused of fraud

Europe’s border agency, Frontex, awarded a contract to a Polish travel agency despite knowing it was under investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud agency — until its Executive Director Hans Leijtens…

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EU leaders to demand sweeping competitiveness drive at summit

European Union leaders will use a summit next week to call for decisive action to ensure the bloc's long-term competitiveness and leadership on the global stage, according to draft conclusions…

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EU Red Sea navy mission commander hopes for more ships to repel Houthi attacks

The commander of a European Union naval mission in the Red Sea wants to significantly increase its size to better defend against possible attacks by Houthi rebels based in Yemen,…

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EU not planning to delay to deforestation law

The European Union is not planning to delay a new law to crack down on the import of commodities linked to deforestation, its environment commissioner said, despite some governments urging…

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March marks yet another record in global heat

By Kate Abnett The world just experienced its warmest March on record, capping a 10-month streak in which every month set a new temperature record, the European Union's climate change…

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€500B remains unspent from EU’s Covid recovery fund

Governments have received less than a third of the EU's original €723 billion pot to help boost post-Covid economic recovery and are now heaping pressure on the European Commission to…

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Europol identifies major criminal groups that pose a threat to EU’s internal security

The European Union's law enforcement agency Europol on Friday published an analysis of 821 criminal groups that it says pose a major threat to the bloc's internal security. The Hague-based…

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Study sheds light on EU’s perception on leaders, minorities and response to recent crises

A new survey of 5,200 citizens of France, Germany, Denmark, Lithuania and Slovenias howed that nearly three-quarters of respondents were able to correctly identify a photo of European Commission President…

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Poland is biggest economic beneficiary of EU from post-2004 entrants: report

Poland was the biggest beneficiary of EU membership among all countries in the region that joined the Community in 2004 and beyond. Between 2004 and 2022, the country’s GDP doubled,…

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EU criticizes Georgia’s foreign agent law

The European Union criticized Georgia’s ruling party’s decision to reintroduce a controversial Russia-inspired foreign agent law, warning that “ensuring media freedom” is critical to the EU accession process. “The announcement…

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EU, US seek broader reach on critical minerals as own deal stalls

The European Union and the United States will fail to reach a critical minerals agreement at a meeting of top officials this week, but will launch a joint push to…

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EU denounces Israel for killing Gaza food aid workers

The deadly Israeli airstrike that killed seven food aid workers in Gaza was “appalling,” two senior EU officials said Wednesday. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted Tuesday that the Israel…

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UPDATED: Cyprus seeks EU help to curb surge of Syrian refugees from Lebanon

NICOSIA, April 3 (Reuters) - Cyprus appealed on Wednesday for vigorous action from the EU to stem a recent tide of mostly Syrian refugees arriving by sea via Lebanon, saying…

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Passport checks for air travellers lifted as Bulgaria and Romania join EU’s Schengen

Airports in Sofia and Bucharest on Sunday removed passport check points for those departing to or arriving from most European Union member states as Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the…

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UPDATED: MEPs call for ‘urgent’ debate into Russian influence scandal

Allegations that Moscow paid members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to interfere in the upcoming European election must be investigated, according to Liberals and Greens in Parliament. The Czech government…

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Macron says Mercosur-EU deal is ‘very bad’ for both sides

A potential trade deal between the European Union and South America's Mercosur bloc is "very bad" for both sides, French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday during a visit to Brazil.…

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Commission endorses Malta’s request for second RRF payment

The European Commission has endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of Malta's second payment request for €58.9 million, net of pre-financing, under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. Following its…

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Lufthansa, ITA Airways deal may hurt competition, EU watchdog says

Lufthansa's bid for a minority stake in Italian rival ITA Airways could harm competition and lead to higher prices, EU antitrust regulators said on Monday, ramping up pressure on the…

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Apple, Google, Meta targeted in EU’s first Digital Markets Act probes

By Foo Yun Chee and Bart H. Meijer BRUSSELS, March 25 (Reuters) - Apple , Alphabet's Google and Meta Platforms will be investigated for potential breaches of the Digital Markets…

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EU countries split over nature law in latest blow to green agenda

By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, March 25 (Reuters) - The European Union's flagship policy to restore damaged nature is hanging in the balance, with a vote to pass the law on…

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Ahead of EU election, rights groups urge equality drive to counter populists

By Catarina Demony March 25 (Reuters) - Anticipating a populist surge when Europeans go to the polls in June, anti-discrimination organisations on Monday urged the bloc's institutions to put equality…

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EU to provide $178 mln for Tunisian security forces to curb migration

(Reuters) - The European Union plans to provide up to 164.5 million euros ($177.74 million) over three years to Tunisian security forces, the Financial Times reported. Brussels pledged 105 million…

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EU threatens action after Slovakia dissolves graft prosecution unit

By Gabriela Baczynska The European Union executive Commission said it regretted Slovakia dissolving its dedicated state graft prosecution unit and warned the bloc "will not hesitate" to act to safeguard…

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EU proposes hitting Russia, Belarus grain imports with tariffs

EU aim to curb Russian income and prevent market distortion EU says Russian farm exports low now, but could rise EU leaders debate response to months of farmer protests By…

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EU leaders to back tighter euro zone fiscal stance in 2025

By Jan Strupczewski BRUSSELS, March 22 (Reuters) - European Union leaders will back on Friday a slightly tighter fiscal policy for the euro zone next year, to help bring down…

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EU closer to using Russian asset profits for Ukraine arms

Leaders vow to move quickly with plan Scheme foresees 90% of proceeds going to arms fund Russia has condemned plan, Western banks concerned By Gabriela Baczynska and Andreas Rinke BRUSSELS,…

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EU, US discussed how to address China’s role as conduit for goods to Russia

By Daphne Psaledakis WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The European Union and its allies are considering steps to address the export from China of goods that could help Russia's military, including by…

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EU leaders invite Bosnia to membership talks in historic step

By Nette Noestlinger, Daria Sito-Sucic and Andrew Gray BRUSSELS/SARAJEVO, (Reuters) - European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to invite Bosnia to open EU membership negotiations, while also stressing the Balkan…

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Europe’s pro-nuclear leaders seek atomic energy revival

By Julia Payne and Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, March 21 (Reuters) - Leaders from pro-nuclear European countries and energy experts are set to call for a nuclear energy revival on Thursday…

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Estonian PM Kallas backs new EU defence industry commissioner post

By Andrew Gray BRUSSELS, March 21 (Reuters) - Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has backed the idea of a European Commissioner dedicated to the defence industry as the European Union…

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EU leaders to discuss using profits from Russian assets to arm Ukraine

Bloc's 27 national leaders aim to boost support for Kyiv Profits from frozen Russian assets could yield 3 bln euros/year No final decision expected at summit Leaders also to discuss…

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Kyiv receives first 4.5 bln euro tranche of EU bridging finance

March 20 (Reuters) - Ukraine received on Wednesday a first 4.5 billion euro ($4.88 billion) tranche from a European Union bridging finance programme, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said. As the…

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UPDATED:Russia says EU frozen assets plan is theft, will lead to decades of lawsuits arms fund

MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters) - Russia on Wednesday said a proposal by European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to take 90% of revenues from Russian assets frozen in Europe…

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EU reaches interim deal to extend tariff-free Ukrainian agricultural imports

March 20 (Reuters) - The European Union has reached a provisional agreement on granting Ukrainian food producers tariff-free access to its markets until June 2025, the European Parliament said in…

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MEPs vote to extend exclusivity period for new medicines

Lawmakers in a EU parliamentary committee on Tuesday voted to extend the exclusivity period for new medicines compared to an initial draft, seeking to address concerns expressed across the bloc's…

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EU’s Borrell says Israel is provoking famine in Gaza

BRUSSELS, March 18 (Reuters) - EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that Israel is provoking famine in Gaza and using starvation as a weapon of war, an…

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EU needs to find new ways to increase aid to Ukraine, Latvia’s Karins says

March 18 (Reuters) - EU leaders need to think "outside the box" and invent new financial ways to increase military aid to Ukraine, Latvia's Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins said on…

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UPDATED: EU to bolster Egypt ties with billions in funding

Deal follows injection of funds from UAE, IMF EU concerned by migration flows via Libya Agreement ignores abuses, says HRW CAIRO, March 17 (Reuters) - The European Union announced a…

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Can EU’s gig worker rules tame management by algorithm?

Platforms use algorithms to allocate tasks, evaluate staff Workers say AI-driven management tools are opaque, unfair Unions hail directive as key step on algorithmic systems By Joanna Gill BRUSSELS, (Thomson…

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France proposes EU ban on exports of used clothes

LONDON, (Reuters) - France is proposing a European Union ban on exports of used clothes, the environment ministry told Reuters, as governments look for new ways to tackle the worsening…

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Publication of EU proposals for farmers delayed, says commissioner

WARSAW, March 15 (Reuters) - The European Union has delayed publication of proposals for farmers, Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said on Friday, as the bloc seeks to put an end…

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EU Commission gives 500 mln euros to firms to boost ammunition production capacity

BRUSSELS, March 15 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Friday announced 500 million euros ($544.30 million) in funding awards to European companies to ramp up ammunition production capacity under a…

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EU’s Borrell says outcome of Ukraine war will be decided this spring and summer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said, after holding meetings in Washington, that securing new support for Ukraine could not wait since the outcome of the…

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EU probes AliExpress over possibly illegal, harmful online products

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, March 14 (Reuters) - Alibaba's AliExpress could face a hefty fine after the European Commission on Thursday opened an investigation into dissemination of potentially illegal…

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EU agrees tighter gun control rules

The European Union is upping its gun-tracing rules as part of efforts to better track the estimated 35 million illegal firearms in civilian hands across the bloc and put a…

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EU parliament to extend new medicine data protection to 7.5 years

EU lawmakers have gone part of the way to meeting pharmaceutical industry concerns about the exclusivity period for new medicines after reaching a compromise on the biggest overhaul of EU…

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EU agrees 5 bln euro boost for Ukraine military aid fund

By Andrew Gray BRUSSELS, March 13 (Reuters) - European Union countries agreed to provide 5 billion euros ($5.48 billion) for military aid to Ukraine as part of a revamp of…

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EU Parliament approves compromise on vehicle pollution limits

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - The European Parliament approved on Wednesday tougher emissions standards for some vehicles in a deal that watered down the initial European Union proposal, following objections from some…

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EU Parliament approves law to make buildings more energy efficient

BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - The European parliament approved a new law that requires member states to push the renovation of buildings to make them more energy-efficient and reduce the EU's carbon…

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Europe one step away from adopting AI rules after lawmakers’ vote

Europe moved closer to adopting the world's first artificial intelligence rules on Wednesday as EU lawmakers endorsed a provisional agreement for a technology whose use is rapidly growing across a…

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