European Commission

EU plans tougher safeguards against democratic backsliding by future members

The EU is developing robust safeguards to ensure future member countries cannot backslide on reforms or use their veto power to obstruct the bloc after joining, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos…

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EU launches major tech push to break US and China dependence

The European Commission has presented a sweeping tech sovereignty package to boost homegrown technologies and reduce dependency on American and Chinese companies. Whether it will make a meaningful difference —…

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EU Commission Considers Sweeping Overhaul of Departments Managing Funds

Every European Commission department that handles EU cash could be in the firing line as part of President Ursula von der Leyen’s restructuring plans, according to five officials familiar with…

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EU Commission considers overhaul of regional policy department in spending shake-up

The European Commission is considering a major restructuring of one of its oldest departments as President Ursula von der Leyen seeks more direct control over EU spending. The Directorate-General for…

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EU kickstarts Mercosur pact to counter US trade hit

The European Union and South American bloc Mercosur will implement on Friday a contentious free trade agreement that the EU in particular hopes will benefit exporters and calm critics, even…

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How the EU Agrees and Pays for Its Long-Term Budget

European Union governments and institutions are heading for a bitter battle over the bloc's 2028-2034 budget, as fresh defence and competitiveness demands vie for funds against more traditional farm and…

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EU Refers Malta to Court for Failing to Implement Renewable Energy Directive

The European Commission has referred Malta to the EU’s top court for failing to properly notify how it implemented updated renewable energy rules, increasing pressure on the island to align…

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EU Steps Up Support for Ukraine, Warns of Prolonged Energy Strain From Middle East Conflict

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday the European Union will press ahead with financial and military support for Ukraine while bracing for extended economic fallout from the…

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EU Commission reshuffles top jobs

long-stalled reshuffle of senior roles within the European Commission is taking place, thanks to an internal workaround that allows a key official to move from her current post. As first…

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EU prepares to clash with US again over shipping carbon levy

European Union countries agreed on Friday to keep pushing for a ‌global price on shipping's CO2 emissions in U.N. talks next week, setting up another potential clash with the United…

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EU Institutions agree Roadmap to achieve “One Europe, one Market” by end of 2027

The Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, and the European Commission have signed a Joint Declaration committing to the “One Europe, One Market” roadmap, aimed at…

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EU expects positive decisions on 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine on Wednesday

The European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she expected "positive decisions" on the 90 billion euro ($105.94 ‌billion) loan for Ukraine to be made on Wednesday. This month's…

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EU says no jet fuel shortage, signals possible “flexibilities” amid Middle East disruption

The European Commission has said there is currently no shortage of jet fuel across the European Union, despite ongoing disruption linked to tensions in the Middle East. Speaking to reporters,…

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Cyprus maritime push aligns with Maltese MEPs’ ongoing ETS island clause initiative

Cyprus has reaffirmed its commitment to shaping a fair and resilient European transport framework, with a particular focus on maritime connectivity for island states, in a position that runs broadly…

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EU: Israel’s decision to pass death penalty law for Palestinians is “very concerning”

Israel's decision to pass a law making death by hanging a default sentence ‌for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks is 'very concerning' for the European Union, said…

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Kallas Calls for Faster EU Enlargement Process

The European Union must move more quickly to include new members and expand the 27-member club, the bloc’s top diplomat said Monday in a nod to Ukraine, Montenegro and other…

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President von der Leyen heads to the Middle East

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, together with the President of the European Council, António Costa, will be in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon this week. Their visit…

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EU reiterates commitment to national sovereignty after Trump’s Greenland remarks

The European Union has issued a restrained response to renewed comments by former US president Donald Trump regarding Greenland, reiterating its commitment to the principles of national sovereignty. European Commission…

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Italy revises golden power rules to try to end spat with EU

Italy plans to revise its golden power rules designed to shield strategic assets, deferring its own review of major financial-sector M&A deals until the European Commission and European Central Bank…

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EU plans new intelligence ‘cell’ amid rising global threats

Ursula von der Leyen's European Commission is laying the groundwork for a new intelligence coordination cell in Brussels. The initiative is still at a “very early, conceptual stage,” but the…

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EU Commission to tackle street drug crisis with new package

he European Commission is set to publisha package of measures in December to further clamp down on the flow and production of street drugs in the EU, as drug-related violence…

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EU chief tells Serbia to act on reforms

The European Union’s top official on Wednesday told Serbia’s populist leader to “get concrete” about its proclaimed goal of joining the 27-nation bloc, including implementing sanctions against traditional ally Russia.…

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European Commission delays decision on migration assistance

The European Commission is set to miss its own legal deadline on announcing which EU countries should receive help with their migration issues — and it’s not particularly worried. A…

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Leadership Under Fire: Von der Leyen Targeted by Two Censure Efforts

Three months after surviving her first-ever motion of censure, Ursula von der Leyen faces not one but two simultaneous attempts to topple her European Commission. The debate in the European…

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EU Commission to ‘leave doors open’ for social media ban

The European Commission is “leaving all doors open” to shield children from the harmful effects of social media platforms including age restrictions at the EU level, spokesperson Thomas Regnier told…

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European Commission dismisses NGOs’ call to stop financing of Libyan Coast Guard

The European Commission has dismissed a call from 42 civil society organisations for it to stop financing the so-called Libyan Coast Guards whose agents are deployed on the country’s coast…

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EU to slash food and fast fashion waste

Following negotiations between its 27 member states, the EU has introduced 30% reduction targets on food waste generated by households, retailers and restaurants. The goals are to be met by…

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EU’s Kyiv base damaged in Russian drone attack

Russia's overnight drone and missile attack on Ukraine's capital damaged the EU delegation's building in the city, the EU Commission said on Thursday. The delegation's staff were safe, EU Commission…

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EU Commission labels alleged Libyan attack on NGO ship ‘worrying development’

The European Commission considers an alleged Libyan coast guard shooting on the NGO boat Ocean Viking, which occurred on Sunday, a “worrying development”. This is one of several documented occasions…

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Five EU states to test age verification app to protect children

France, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Greece will test a blueprint for an age verification app to protect children online, the European Commission said, amid growing global concern about the impact…

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European Union Acts on Interpreter Concerns Linked to Zelenskyy’s Protection

The European Commission has dismissed an interpreter hired by the European Union to attend major summits alongside world leaders over concerns of a potential security breach. In a statement to…

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European Commission unveils strategy for storing food, medicine, generators and raw materials

The EU should develop stockpiles of food, medicine, generators and raw materials to be better prepared for a military invasion, pandemic or natural disaster, the European Commission has said. Outlining…

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EU received ‘latest’ trade proposal from US, von der Leyen says

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday the EU had received the "latest U.S. document" for further negotiations on tariffs but did not reveal details of Washington's…

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EU puts Monaco on money laundering blacklist

The European Union has added Monaco to a list of countries it considers at high risk of money laundering and terrorism financing, putting the ultra-wealthy Mediterranean principality alongside the likes…

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Commission exempts 38,000 companies from 8 EU laws

The European Commission is creating a new category of “small mid-cap” companies that will be exempted from eight EU laws, it announced. Companies with up to 750 employees, and either…

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EU approves 5 billion euro French scheme for wine exports to US

The European Commission has approved a 5 billion euro ($5.6 billion) French scheme to facilitate the export of wines and spirits to the United States, it said. The Commission said…

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Apple, Meta fined hundreds of millions of euros for violating EU’s digital rulebook

In other European news elsewhere, the European Commission has just issued massive fines against US tech giants Apple and Meta for breaching its digital regulation, the Digital Markets Act. The…

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European pharma firms issue demands to stay in EU ahead of expected US tariffs

Nearly three dozen global pharmaceutical companies, in a letter to the head of the European Commission, demanded help to maintain operations in the EU despite threatened US tariffs on imports,…

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European Commission to Designate Egypt and Bangladesh as ‘Safe’ Countries’

The European Commission is poised to add Egypt and Bangladesh to its provisional list of safe countries for migrant repatriation, according to a draft document obtained by ANSA. The list,…

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EU Commission to discuss trade, US tariff strategy with industries

The European Commission has invited the sectors most impacted by US tariffs to an in-person meeting on Thursday, an invitation letter seen by Reuters showed, as the commission weighs new…

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UPDATED: EU Commission proposes €800 bln defense plan

A five-part plan to bolster Europe’s defence industry and increase its military capability could raise nearly €800bn (£660bn) and help provide urgent military support for Ukraine after the US suspended…

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EU looks to tighten controls on low-quality online imports

Earlier this month, the EU Commission set out a number of measures to tackle risks stemming from low-value imports sold via non-EU online retailers and marketplaces hosting non-EU traders. The…

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EU budget ‘will need more funds but aim for increased flexibility’ and boost competitiveness

The European Commission wants to revamp the next EU budget to help firms be more competitive, give more clout to EU foreign policy and influence the reforms and investments that…

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France, Germany, others urge EU Commission to protect elections in Europe from foreign interference

France, Germany and 10 other European Union countries want the European Commission to use its powers under the Digital Services Act to protect the integrity of European elections from foreign…

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EU to target AI, biotech, cheap energy in global competitiveness push

AI, biotech and affordable clean energy will be the focus of an EU drive to make the bloc globally competitive and ensure it keeps pace with rivals the United States…

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In a first, EU Court fines EU for breaching own data protection law

In a first, the EU General Court ruled on Wednesday that the European Commission must pay damages to a German citizen for failing to comply with its own data protection…

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European Commission plans to slash EU embassy staff around the world

The European Commission is pushing plans to dramatically cut the number of people working at many of its embassies to beef up staffing in countries where it feels the bloc…

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Home rentals group takes Barcelona’s ban to EU Commission

The European Holiday Home Association, which represents short-term rentals on online platforms such as Airbnb, has filed a complaint with the European Commission against the Spanish region of Catalonia for…

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European Commissioner Hearings Kick Off Today

Starting Monday 4th November and over the next eight days, the potential 26 European Commissioners (one from each European Union country, excluding the Commission chief herself) will appear in front…

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EU Needs Own Intelligence Agency, Says Finland’s Niinistö

As part of a sweeping review of the bloc’s readiness for war and crisis issued Wednesday, ex-Finnish President Sauli Niinistö reckons the EU needs its own intelligence agency to help…

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EU and Britain agree on cooperation in antitrust investigations

The European Commission on Tuesday said it had finalised discussions with Britain on an agreement that would allow both sides to cooperate directly in antitrust investigations. The agreement is the…

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European Parliament sets out time limits, evaluation process ahead of commissioner hearings

The European Parliament has divided up the 180 minutes available for each European commissioner hearing among the Parliament's various political factions based on the size of each respective group, according to documents…

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Ursula von der Leyen Updates Hiring Guidelines for Commissioners

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen set new hiring rules for incoming commissioners as they form their top teams. The rules aim to ensure diversity in nationality, gender and…

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European Commission rolls out its own ChatGPT-like tool

The European Commission is known more for regulating artificial intelligence tools than deploying them — until now. The Commission's IT department, DG DIGIT, has rolled out an AI pilot project…

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Only 3 of 26 EU Commissioners Pass Financial Health Checks

Only three of the 26 incoming European commissioners who had backgrounds checks conducted by MEPs Thursday were given a clean bill of financial health in what was described as a…

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EU sues Spain, Cyprus, Poland, Portugal for failing to implement corporate tax

The EU Commission sued Spain, Cyprus, Poland and Portugal for failing to implement rules aimed at ensuring a global minimum level of taxation for multinational companies, it said on Thursday.…

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European commissioner hearings confirmed for November

The hearings for European commissioners will be held from Nov. 4 to Nov. 12, senior members of the European Parliament decided Wednesday. Holding the hearings in November means the earliest…

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