Responding to today’s (29 May) publication of annual scientific advice for EU fishing limits for 2021 in the Baltic Sea by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), which finds important Baltic fish populations remain in a state of crisis, and the entire Baltic Sea ecosystem in very poor health [1], a group […]
As announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 27 May 2020, the Commission is enhancing the proposal for the InvestEU Programme and creating a new Strategic Investment Facility within it to kick-start the EU economy. The enhanced InvestEU programme, thanks to Next Generation EU, will provide crucial support to companies and ensure a […]
The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah have noted with concern that Israeli authorities have continued to carry out demolitions of Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 2020. These demolitions, including of EU and EU member states-funded structures, have resulted in the displacement of Palestinians and negatively affected Palestinian communities. […]
EU member states undoubtedly sighed in relief when the European Commission announced a €1.85 trillion economic recovery package to help the bloc through the coronavirus-induced economic slump in the coming years. As Commission president Ursula von der Leyen rightly argued, the package should be “Europe’s moment” – which makes the fact that this moment of triumph is […]
As announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 27 May, the Commission is proposing a new Solvency Support Instrument to help kick-start the European economy and overcome the severe socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The Solvency Support Instrument, which builds on the existing European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), will mobilize […]
Fresh concern has been raised about the spread of disinformation and propaganda during the COVID-19 crisis. Russia and China, in particular, have come under the spotlight for allegedly disseminating “fake news” about the pandemic. The issue was the focus of an online debate on Thursday organised by the European Foundation for Democracy, in cooperation with […]
On Thursday (28 May), Budgets Committee Members approved €279 million in EU aid following extreme weather events in Austria, Italy, Portugal and Spain in 2019. The draft report by rapporteur José Manuel Fernandes, (EPP, PT), who recommended that the assistance be approved, was adopted by 38 votes in favour, none against and without abstentions. The €279m from the […]
The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a DKK 240 million (approximately €32m) Danish scheme to partially compensate media companies for the loss in advertising revenues suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme will be open to all Danish media companies irrespective of the type of media outlet (printed media or […]
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, the support granted by Spain to electricity generators for supplying electricity in the Spanish non-peninsular territories as a Service of General Economic Interest (SGEI). These territories include the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla. The main objective of the scheme is to guarantee […]
#NextGenerationEU – Europe’s moment: Repair and prepare for the next generation
Today (27 May), the European Commission has put forward its proposal for a major recovery plan. To ensure the recovery is sustainable, even, inclusive and fair for all member states, the European Commission is proposing to create a new recovery instrument, Next Generation EU, embedded within a powerful, modern and revamped long-term EU budget. The Commission […]
#BalticSeaFishStocks remain in crisis – NGOs call for closures of #Herring and #Cod stocks
Responding to today’s (29 May) publication of annual scientific advice for EU fishing limits for 2021 in the Baltic Sea by ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea), which finds important Baltic fish populations remain in a state of crisis, and the entire Baltic Sea ecosystem in very poor health [1], a group […]
EU budget for recovery: An enhanced #InvestEU Programme and Strategic Investment Facility
As announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 27 May 2020, the Commission is enhancing the proposal for the InvestEU Programme and creating a new Strategic Investment Facility within it to kick-start the EU economy. The enhanced InvestEU programme, thanks to Next Generation EU, will provide crucial support to companies and ensure a […]
The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah have noted with concern that Israeli authorities have continued to carry out demolitions of Palestinian structures in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in 2020. These demolitions, including of EU and EU member states-funded structures, have resulted in the displacement of Palestinians and negatively affected Palestinian communities. […]
How the EU fails on #money-laundering
EU member states undoubtedly sighed in relief when the European Commission announced a €1.85 trillion economic recovery package to help the bloc through the coronavirus-induced economic slump in the coming years. As Commission president Ursula von der Leyen rightly argued, the package should be “Europe’s moment” – which makes the fact that this moment of triumph is […]
EU budget for recovery: The Solvency Support Instrument
As announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 27 May, the Commission is proposing a new Solvency Support Instrument to help kick-start the European economy and overcome the severe socio-economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The Solvency Support Instrument, which builds on the existing European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), will mobilize […]
Fresh concerns raised over #COVID-19 disinformation
Fresh concern has been raised about the spread of disinformation and propaganda during the COVID-19 crisis. Russia and China, in particular, have come under the spotlight for allegedly disseminating “fake news” about the pandemic. The issue was the focus of an online debate on Thursday organised by the European Foundation for Democracy, in cooperation with […]
Austria, Italy, Portugal and Spain receive €279m after #NaturalDisasters in 2019
On Thursday (28 May), Budgets Committee Members approved €279 million in EU aid following extreme weather events in Austria, Italy, Portugal and Spain in 2019. The draft report by rapporteur José Manuel Fernandes, (EPP, PT), who recommended that the assistance be approved, was adopted by 38 votes in favour, none against and without abstentions. The €279m from the […]
The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a DKK 240 million (approximately €32m) Danish scheme to partially compensate media companies for the loss in advertising revenues suffered due to the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme will be open to all Danish media companies irrespective of the type of media outlet (printed media or […]
Commission approves support for electricity production in Spanish non-peninsular territories
The European Commission has approved, under EU state aid rules, the support granted by Spain to electricity generators for supplying electricity in the Spanish non-peninsular territories as a Service of General Economic Interest (SGEI). These territories include the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla. The main objective of the scheme is to guarantee […]
#UnitedNations – High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell addresses the Security Council
On 28 May, EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell (pictured) addressed the UN Security Council on the EU’s role in the preservation of international peace and security at the invitation of Estonia, which holds the rotating presidency of the Security Council this month. This was High Representative/Vice President Borrell’s first annual presentation to the UN […]
The Commission has proposed a new, ambitious stand-alone health programme for the 2021-2027 period – the EU4Health Programme. EU4Health will make a significant contribution to the post-COVID-19 recovery by making the EU population healthier, improving the resilience of health systems, and promoting innovation in the health sector. It will fill the gaps revealed by the […]
Johnson to go to Brussels next month for #Brexit talks
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will resume Brexit talks in Brussels next month, The Times newspaper reported on Thursday (28 May), write Sabahatjahan Contractor and Kanishka Singh. Britain’s negotiator with the European Union, David Frost, said Johnson will meet the presidents of the European Commission and Council to formally assess the state of the talks, […]
UK can help companies prepare for #Brexit and #COVID-19 says Gove
The British government is working with businesses to help them prepare for the departure from the European Union even as it helps them cope with the coronavirus pandemic, cabinet office minister Michael Gove (pictured) said on Wednesday (27 May), writes Kate Holton. “We are not considering an implementation phase,” he told a parliamentary committee, adding […]
England’s #COVID-19 test and trace system begins as adviser row rumbles on
Britain’s government faced questions over how closely people would abide by its new COVID-19 test and trace service on Thursday (28 May), as a row persisted over the prime minister’s closest adviser taking a long-distance journey during lockdown, writes Kylie MacLellan. Lawmakers from the governing Conservative Party continue to add their names to those calling […]
Commission proposes a public loan facility to support green investments together with #EIB
On 28 May, the European Commission presented its proposal for a public sector loan facility under the Just Transition Mechanism. The facility will be implemented with the involvement of the European Investment Bank and will encourage investments that support the transition towards a climate-neutral economy by public sector authorities to the benefit of coal- […]
Creating a #SustainableFoodSystem – The EU’s strategy
The EU’s food sustainability strategy aims to protect the environment and ensure healthy food for everyone, whilst ensuring farmers’ livelihoods. The food system, from production to consumption and waste, has a significant impact on the environment, health and food safety. With the Farm to Fork Strategy presented on 20 May 2020, the European Commission aims […]
Workplace safety not in Commission’s top 40 priorities despite #Coronavirus says #ETUC
Trade unions are shocked and concerned that the European Commission still has no official plans to make workplaces safer in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the ETUC. An updated work programme published by the Commission includes 43 new initiatives, including proposals ranging from airport charges to crypto assets and ‘better regulation’. But […]
#EUBudget for recovery: Recovery and Resilience Facility
As announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 27 May 2020, the centrepiece of the recovery plan will be a new Recovery and Resilience Facility. The aim of the facility will be to support investments and reforms essential to a lasting recovery, to improve the economic and social resilience of the member states, […]
