27

Feb

Low skills and ageing population – key challenges for Malta’s economic growth

In a frank, extensive assessment of Malta’s social and economic activity, the European Commission has placed the country’s ageing population and low skills as the major challenges to continued growth…

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27

Feb

UK warns prepared to walk away from EU trade talks

The British government has said it is prepared to walk away from EU trade talks in June if not enough progress has been made. Setting out its red lines ahead…

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26

Feb

Asylum applications in the EU increase by 13% in 2019

For the first time since 2015, applications increased from the previous year. The increase was not largely driven by irregular migration, but rather by applications from countries with visa-free access…

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26

Feb

Europe’s biggest companies need to spend twice as much on reducing emissions: report

European companies spent €124 billion on reducing their carbon footprint in 2019 - but a report claims that is just half what they needed to spend if the EU is…

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24

Feb

EU co-finances the delivery of more protective equipment to China

The European Commission is co-financing the delivery of more than 25 tonnes of personal protective equipment to China after the EU Civil Protection Mechanism was activated. Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis…

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24

Feb

EU pledges €230m to fight COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak

The European Union has pledged €230 million to help fight the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, as member state Italy grapples with a rise in cases across the country. Italian authorities announced…

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23

Feb

Cyprus strongly objects to cut in EU funds for migration

Cyprus has strongly objected to a reduction of €30m in EU funds relating to migration for the period between 2021 and 2027, according to Finance Minister Constantinos Petrides. Petrides said…

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21

Feb

EU Council ends with no deal on Eu Budget – Update

A two-day EU summit aimed at agreeing the bloc's long-term financing plan has ended without agreement. Differences amongst EU nations for the new EU budget proved to be too much…

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20

Feb

Artists and sports players from the EU will need visas to perform in the UK from 2021

EU artists and entertainers will need visas to perform in the United Kingdom from January 2021, the Home Office has said. The department announced that artists and sports players from…

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20

Feb

EU leaders in ‘very tough’ budget summit amid ‘Brexit gap’

EU leaders are to hold a Brussels summit Thursday to set a seven-year budget despite splits between some stingy rich nations, poorer ones wanting to preserve spending and others wanting…

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19

Feb

EU invests more than €100 million in new projects to promote a green and climate-neutral Europe

The European Commission announced an investment of €101.2 million for the latest projects under the LIFE programme for the Environment and Climate Action. The funding will support 10 large-scale environment…

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17

Feb

Photo Story: Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi in Brussels

Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (L) is welcomed by President of the European Council Charles Michel (R) ahead of a meeting at the European Council in…

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17

Feb

UPDATED: Pressure mounts for EU Libyan military mission, EU foreign ministers struggle to convince Austria to lift its objections

The European Union’s top general has warned that not reviving a military mission to implement an arms embargo on Libya would mean the EU has failed a test of its…

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16

Feb

Libya – EPP and Europe’s internal divisions are a big hurdle for EU’s geopolitics ambitions

To sort out the Libyan civil war, the European Union first needs to sort out another vicious, internecine struggle: the one back home. Politico reports that as the EU faces…

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15

Feb

France may soon clear the way for EU membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia

French President Emmanuel Macron indicated Saturday that France may soon clear the way for the European Union to launch membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia, but made it clear…

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14

Feb

Top EU diplomat wants European strategy for Middle East peace

In light of US President Donald Trump unveiling of his Middle East peace plan in January, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said the bloc needs to formulate a…

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14

Feb

Call for EU to make own medicines to counter coronavirus outbreak amid fears of shortages

Europe is working with China to meet a shortfall in protective equipment against the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, ministers said on Thursday amid fears of a global shortage of drugs and…

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13

Feb

European Commission refers Portugal to the Court for discriminatory legislation on car registration tax

The European Commission decided to refer Portugal to the Court of Justice of the European Union for taxing used cars that are imported from other Member States more heavily than…

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13

Feb

MEPs want EU to make identification of animals compulsory

MEPs voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday in favour of a compulsory continent-wide system of identification for cats and dogs. The proposal is contained in a non-binding resolution calling for measures against…

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13

Feb

EU to put Cayman Islands on tax haven blacklist

The Cayman Islands, a British overseas territory, is to be put on an EU blacklist of tax havens, less than two weeks after the UK’s withdrawal from the bloc. In…

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13

Feb

European economy predicted to continue on a path of steady, moderate growth

The Winter 2020 Economic Forecast published by the European Commission projects that the European economy is set to continue on a path of steady, moderate growth. The euro area has…

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13

Feb

British nationals working in Brussels snap up Irish passports

More than 50 British nationals working for the European Commission in Brussels have obtained Irish passports, which can help secure career progression, it has emerged. Data released by the commission…

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12

Feb

EU health ministers called to Brussels for emergency talks on coronavirus

The European Union is calling health ministers to emergency talks in Brussels this Thursday, as concern over coronavirus grows. The European Commission is providing the material help it is allowed,…

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12

Feb

Sturgeon insists Scotland’s place is in European Union as a sovereign independent state

On her first visit to Brussels following Brexit, Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted on Scotland's place in the European Union, as a sovereign independent state. Her remarks were made…

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10

Feb

EU citizens in the UK who miss registration deadline face deportation

The UK will deport EU citizens after Brexit if they do not apply for the right to remain in time, Home Office minister Brandon Lewis said. The BBC reported he…

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10

Feb

Romania agrees that EU funds be tied to respecting rule of law

Romania agrees to have EU funds tied to respecting rule of law, but specialists must first draft concrete criteria in this regard, Romania’s president Klaus Iohannis said during a visit…

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09

Feb

EU probes maker of Toblerone and Milka for anticompetitive behaviour

  The European Union has opened an antitrust probe against snack company Mondelēz for restricting trade across the EU. The U.S. food giant, which produces the Milka and Toblerone chocolate…

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07

Feb

Drive by the European Commission for active involvement of citizens and civil society in Cohesion Policy

  The European Commission decided to launch two new pilot actions to involve citizens more when rolling out cohesion projects on the ground. The aim is to support active involvement…

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06

Feb

European parliament says it will not use facial recognition technology

The European parliament has insisted it has no plans to introduce facial recognition technology after a leaked internal memo discussing its use in security provoked an outcry. A page on…

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05

Feb

Google under investigation over location tracking as Tinder faces data probe

Google and Tinder are facing regulatory investigations in the European Union over their use of users' personal data. The investigations were announced by the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) which…

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05

Feb

EU countries complain to Cyprus over sham marriages

Romania and Portugal have complained to Cyprus over the apparently rampant phenomenon of sham marriages between EU citizens from other states and third-country nationals with the involvement of people traffickers,…

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05

Feb

EU to launch new plan to fight cancer

To mark World Cancer Day, the European Commission has announced it's to launch a new initiative to fight cancer in the EU by the end of the year. Cancer is…

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03

Feb

Boris Johnson says ‘no need’ for UK to follow EU rules on trade

  Boris Johnson has set out his vision for a trade deal with the EU, saying there is "no need" for the UK to follow Brussels' rules. The PM called…

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03

Feb

EU to back Spain over Gibraltar claims

The EU will back Spain over its territorial claims to Gibraltar in the next phase of Brexit negotiations by giving Madrid the power to exclude the British overseas territory from…

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03

Feb

European Commission takes first step to launch negotiations with the United Kingdom

The European Commission has today issued a recommendation to the Council to open negotiations on a new partnership with the United Kingdom. This recommendation is based on the existing European…

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03

Feb

Tusk says Brussels ‘enthusiastic’ about Scotland re-joining the EU

Brussels “would be enthusiastic” if an independent Scotland sought to rejoin the EU, former European Council President Donald Tusk said Sunday. That prompted an immediate reaction from London, with U.K.…

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03

Feb

European Parliament wants binding rules on common chargers to be tabled by summer

The European Parliament has called on the European Commission to put forward beefed-up rules on common chargers by July 2020 at the latest. There is an “urgent need for EU…

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02

Feb

Online shopping: European Commission and Consumer Protection authorities urge traders to bring information policy in line with EU law

The European Commission published the results of an EU-wide screening (“sweep”) of nearly 500 e-shops selling clothing and footwear, furniture and household items, and electric appliances. This sweep was carried…

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02

Feb

Johnson ‘infuriated’ with EU’s position on free trade deal

Boris Johnson’s government has said the UK will reject any trade deal with the EU that includes “high alignment” on rules with the bloc and any future role for the…

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01

Feb

Ambitious measures needed to ensure equal pay for women, say MEPs

  MEPs urge the Commission to present an ambitious Gender Equality Strategy, including measures to reduce the gender pay gap. In the resolution adopted on Thursday by 493 votes in…

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01

Feb

Redistribution of seats in the European Parliament after Brexit

As of 1 February, the number and distribution of seats in the Parliament changes following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. From 1 February, the European Parliament will have 705…

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01

Feb

Boris Johnson plans to impose full customs and border checks on European goods

Boris Johnson is preparing to impose full customs and border checks on all European goods entering the UK after Brexit, in a ramping up of pressure on the coming EU-UK…

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01

Feb

A Photo Story: Celebration and regret as Britain leaves EU after 47 years

Almost four years on from the Leave vote in the 2016 referendum, the UK ceased to be a member of the bloc at midnight on Friday. The historic moment was…

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31

Jan

‘Strength does not lie in splintered isolation’: Von der Leyen says on Brexit Day

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council head Charles Michel and Parliament chief David Sassoli vowed "to find new ways of working together for our future as allies, partners and…

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31

Jan

EU to help tackle air pollution in Kosovo with €76.4 million

As part of his first visit to Kosovo, the European Union’s High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell will launch today a major EU-financed project to improve the environmental performance of the “Kosovo…

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31

Jan

Photo Story: ‘Brussels Calling’ Event in Brussels city centre

Buildings on Grand Place is lit with Union Jack flag colours in Brussels, Belgium, 30 January 2020. The city of Brussels is organizing the 'Brussels Calling' event to underline its…

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31

Jan

Brexit Day: Boris Johnson to hail ‘dawn of a new era’ on departure day

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hail the "dawn of a new era" on Friday, as the UK prepares to leave the European Union after 47 years. In a speech to…

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30

Jan

EU spells out rules for ‘high risk’ 5G suppliers

European cybersecurity officials agreed on a series of measures to downsize Huawei's presence in Europe due to concerns that it poses serious risks to the security of future 5G telecom…

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30

Jan

EU Presidents to discuss the EU’s future

The Presidents of the three main EU institutions will meet on Thursday in Bazoches to debate the future of the EU as well as current geopolitical challenges. European Parliament President…

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29

Jan

EU Civil Protection Mechanism activated for the repatriation of EU citizens from Wuhan

As the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus intensifies, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been activated following a request for assistance from France to provide consular support to EU citizens…

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29

Jan

UK delivers the instruments of ratification for Brexit

Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the European Union, Tim Barrow (L) on Wednesday delivered the instruments of ratification for Brexit, to European Council Secretary General Jeppe Tranholm-Mikkelsen at…

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29

Jan

EU intends to withdraw 1 and 2 cents coins

The European Commission intends to withdraw all coins of 1 and 2 cents from circulation, in due course. The Commission’s 2020 work programme, which will be presented in its entirety…

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28

Jan

EU membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia should start in March -Merkel

Angela Merkel said on Monday she wants a deal on opening EU membership talks with Albania and North Macedonia in March, citing "geopolitical" necessity. "Anyone who looks at the map,…

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27

Jan

Summit with Western Balkans Parliament speakers on Tuesday in Brussels

Speakers from the Western Balkans parliaments will gather at the European Parliament, under President Sassoli's patronage, to discuss European prospects for their region. Parliamentary Speakers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,…

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27

Jan

Irish Prime Minister believes EU will have upper hand in trade talks with UK

The Irish prime minister has told BBC News he believes the EU will have the upper hand in the upcoming trade talks with the UK. Leo Varadkar compared the two…

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27

Jan

Photo Story: The new Geographical centre of the European Union

As the UK prepares to leave the European Union, the geographical centre of the grouping of countries has shifted. So far, the geographical center of European Union (EU) in Westerngrund…

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26

Jan

Only 189 migrants returned to Turkey despite EU refugee pact

Despite a 2016 refugee agreement between the European Union and Turkey, only 189 illegal migrants who crossed the Aegean Sea to Greece were returned to Turkey in 2019, according to new…

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