Industrial emissions: EU Council and Parliament agree on new rules to reduce harmful emissions from industry and improve public access to information +++ Pollution: deal with Council to reduce industrial emissions – EP +++ UKRAINE: EU Commissioner Sinkevičius gives a short speech at the Conference for Ukraine’s Green Recovery
UN Explainer: What’s COP28 and why is it important? +++ Remarks by EU Commissioner Simson at the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee +++ IAEA at COP28: Nuclear Solutions for a Net Zero Future +++ Energiewirtschaft im Wandel: Zahlen zu Emissionen und Ausgaben rund um den Klimaschutz – BMUB +++ Can the stakes of COP28 live up to the expectations of civil society? – Florence School of Regulation +++ CLIMATE STATE AID: EU Commission approves €1.1 billion Spanish State aid scheme to support investments in equipment necessary to foster the transition to a net-zero economy
ENERGY EMERGENCY: EU Commission prolongs energy emergency measures by 12 months +++ EU Commission endorses positive preliminary assessment of Italy’s request for €16.5 billion disbursement under the Recovery and Resilience Facility +++ EU Commission endorses positive preliminary assessment of Germany’s request for €4 billion disbursement under the Recovery and Resilience Facility +++ ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE: EU Commission proposes 166 cross-border energy projects for EU support to help deliver the European Green Deal +++ Questions and Answers on the new list of EU energy Projects of Common and Mutual Interest +++ EU Commission sets out actions to accelerate the roll-out of electricity grids
UKRAINE: EU and Ukraine outline plans for sustainable reconstruction in a high-level conference +++ PACKAGING: European Parliament discriminates plastics packaging – EUPC +++ EU HEALTH UNION: Sickness and healthcare expenditure down in 2022.
The European Commission has approved a recapitalisation of SAS amounting to approximately €833 million (SEK 9.5 billion) granted in October 2020. The measure is approved under the State aid COVID Temporary Framework. That recapitalisation measure was part of a larger recapitalisation package, which also involved a significant participation of private investors, including the conversion of outstanding privately-held debt instruments into equity.
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Schoeller Packaging Holding B.V. (‘Schoeller Allibert’) of the Netherlands by Brookfield Corporation (‘Bookfield’) of Canada. The transaction relates primarily to the manufacture of returnable plastic packaging for material handling.
The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion Spanish scheme to support investments for the production of equipment necessary to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.
‘Ayaş Domatesi’ is a thin-skinned and very juicy tomato grown from seeds and seedlings of the local ecotype in the Ayaş district of Ankara province. It is large and fleshy, its skin has a dull pink-red colour and there are slight ridges on the outer surface of the tomato. When the fruit is split in two, a white patch can be seen on the flesh. Due to its high acidity, it has a slightly salty and lemony aroma.
The European Commission has today added ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’ to the register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI), signifying the fourth EU Geographical Indication (GI) awarded to the entire island of Ireland – comprising Ireland and Northern Ireland. Cattle rearing has long been recognised as an integral part of the Irish and Northern Irish economies, based on the island of Ireland’s unique dependence on grass-based agriculture and its grass growing potential.
Volunteering activities will get a major boost in 2024 thanks to a new funding opportunity that the Commission launched today. A new call for proposals under the European Solidarity Corps, covering 2024, will support young people across the EU and beyond who wish to engage in solidarity activities. Areas covered range from social inclusion actions to helping people with fewer opportunities, contributing to the green and digital transitions, democratic participation and addressing health related challenges.
The updated law will help guide industrial investments necessary for Europe’s transformation towards a cleaner, carbon neutral, more circular and competitive economy by 2050. It will spur innovation, reward frontrunners and help level the playing field on the EU market, and increase long-term investment certainty for industry.
The floods were described by Slovenian authorities as the worst flooding disaster in Slovenia’s recent history, affecting almost two-thirds of the country. Key infrastructure such as roads and energy supplies were damaged, with hundreds of homes and buildings destroyed. President von der Leyen and Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, visited Slovenia on 9 August 2023 to directly express the EU’s solidarity and support.
The Joint Communication builds on and updates the Joint Communication submitted by the Commission and the High Representative to the European Council in March 2021. It outlines the state of play of EU-Türkiye relations in key areas and sets out recommendations, aiming to advance relations in a strategic and forward-looking manner, in the current fast-changing, geopolitical and security environment.
The Council today agreed on a mandate for the presidency to start negotiations with the European Parliament on updated EU rules on the import, export and transit of firearms into and from the EU. The new rules aim to close the loopholes for firearms trafficking, while facilitating trade and movement of firearms used for legitimate purposes.
In a report adopted on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs urge the EU to promote a strategic partnership with the five Central Asian countries – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – where Russia’s standing has been weakened by its aggression against Ukraine.
In a new report, MEPs warn of the risks of growing Chinese influence over European critical infrastructure and calls on the EU to take action to reduce crucial vulnerabilities. In the report, MEPs examine how China, through its so-called military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy, is increasingly gaining access to and exercising influence over European critical infrastructure.
Approximately 86 million fake items were detained in the European Union in 2022 (at the EU external border and in the internal market), according to a joint report by the EUIPO and the European Commission published today. The estimated value of fake items detained in the EU amounted to over EUR 2 billion, an increase of approximately 3 % in 2022 compared to 2021.
The European Health Data Space shall give citizens the right to access prescriptions, imagery and lab tests across borders. Aggregated health data can be shared for research purposes e.g. into cancer and rare diseases. But strong privacy safeguards must govern how and why sensitive data is shared.
EU URBAN AGENDA: Gijón Declaration: Housing for all in sustainable, healthy, and inclusive built environments +++ The Urban Agenda for the EU, a roadmap for developing the full potential of cities +++ Access to housing and sustainability of construction are the focus of the informal ministerial meeting on housing and urban development +++ REGIOSTARS: EU Commissioner Elisa Ferreira awards the 2023 REGIOSTARS Prizes for ground-breaking EU-funded projects under Cohesion Policy +++ EU Regions Week Report: rural regeneration and talent growth through digital connectivity +++ European Commission reveals finalists of the Access City Award 2024.
Today the Commission and the European High-Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) committed to open and widen access to the EU’s world-class supercomputing resources for European artificial intelligence (AI) start-ups, SMEs and the broader AI community as part of the EU AI Start-Up Initiative. To support the further development and scalability of AI models, access to world-class supercomputers that accelerate AI training and testing is crucial, reducing training time from months or years to a matter of weeks.
Czech and Ukrainian police have disrupted, with the support of Europol and Eurojust, a prolific phishing gang believed to have defrauded victims across Europe of tens of millions of euros.
EU Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on new rules on collection and data sharing on short-term rentals to help local authorities improve tourism services.
“Measuring Money in the Digital Age. Now is the right time to do this—accelerated by the pandemic, mobile payments are nearly everywhere in many advanced and emerging economies. A large and growing number of countries are steaming ahead with development and deployment of Central bank digital currencies, or CBDCs. And while crypto assets, including stablecoins, have had their ups and downs, they aren’t going away” – IMF Managing Direcotor Kristalina Georgieva.
The European Chamber today released a survey on the impact of China’s data regulations on European business, that provides an overview of the areas where further steps are needed to optimise the country’s regulatory framework for cross-border data transfers.
Today, the European Commission formally sent Amazon a request for information under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The Commission is requesting Amazon to provide more information on the measures it has taken to comply with obligations related to risk assessments and mitigation measures to protect consumers online, in particular with regard to the dissemination of illegal products and the protection of fundamental rights, as well as on compliance of recommender systems with the relevant provisions of the DSA.
The paper briefs the Executive Board on the initial considerations on CBDC. These cover a framework to guide countries’ CBDC exploration, as well as implications for monetary policy transmission, capital flow management measures, and financial inclusion.
“Cyber ist kein neues Thema. Aber im Gegensatz zu Utopien von vor vierzig Jahren brachte der Cyberraum keine Welt mit sich, in der militärische Gewalt keine Rolle mehr spielt und Konflikte nur mehr vorm Computer ausgetragen werden. Tatsächlich hat sich die Realität als sowohl komplexer als auch besorgniserregender erwiesen” – Annalena Baerbock aus der Nato-Konferenz zur Cyberabwehr.
ADMINISTRATIVE DESIGN: A Europe that supports: towards a modern and effective public administration +++ Questions and Answers on the Communication on Enhancing the European Administrative Space (ComPAct) +++ Speech by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira at the press conference on the adoption of the Communication on Enhancing the European Administrative Space – ComPAct +++ IMF Working Paper: Inclusive GovTech: Enhancing Efficiency and Equity Through Public Service Digitalization +++ INNOVATION ECO-SYSTEMS: CEN-CENELEC: Discover the winners of the Standards+Innovation Awards 2023! +++ ECA recommends Member States to step up innovation procurement investments in digital sector +++ A STEP towards supporting EU competitiveness and resilience in strategic sectors +++ Statement des EU-Abgerodneten Ehler (EVP/CDU) zur STEP-Abstimmung im EP-Ausschuss +++ EU launches three new missions in space for validation of new technologies and innovation in orbit
On 13 November 2023, the NATO International Military Staff (IMS) Office of the Gender Advisor convened its third regional Deep Dive session on the Sahel and the Gender Perspective. The discussion centred on the challenges that women and girls face in the region in amidst volatile political and security environments. It also explored how different local and international actors are promoting the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in the Sahel.
Turning to the situation on the ground, Mr Stoltenberg underlined the substantial progress made by Ukraine this year, both on land and in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, he said that Russia is losing political influence in its near abroad, has incurred more than 300,000 casualties and lost a substantial part of its conventional forces, and is under economic pressure.
As we look towards the Middle East, a tragedy is unfolding in front of our very eyes. Israel has suffered the worst terror attack in its history and Palestinians are experiencing a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis as a result of the ensuing Israeli military action. Mr. President, every life matters. Israeli or Palestinian. Every innocent civilian life lost, Palestinian or Israeli, is a tragedy. Indeed, we also collectively mourn the loss of all innocent, innocent lives lost, including those of UN personnel delivering vital life saving aid in Gaza.
Norway will continue its strong support for Ukraine’s war of self-defence. This was Foreign Minister Eide’s main message when he met his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. The situation in Ukraine was a key topic at the meeting.
The Joint Communication builds on and updates the Joint Communication submitted by the Commission and the High Representative to the European Council in March 2021. It outlines the state of play of EU-Türkiye relations in key areas and sets out recommendations, aiming to advance relations in a strategic and forward-looking manner, in the current fast-changing, geopolitical and security environment.
In a report adopted on Tuesday, Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs urge the EU to promote a strategic partnership with the five Central Asian countries – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan – where Russia’s standing has been weakened by its aggression against Ukraine.
In a new report, MEPs warn of the risks of growing Chinese influence over European critical infrastructure and calls on the EU to take action to reduce crucial vulnerabilities. In the report, MEPs examine how China, through its so-called military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy, is increasingly gaining access to and exercising influence over European critical infrastructure.
The leaders of the Political Groups of the European Parliament, meeting in the Conference of Presidents, today reiterate their unwavering solidarity with and pay tribute to the brave people of Ukraine, the laureates of the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, who are courageously defending their country’s independence and territorial integrity, while also defending freedom, democracy and their country’s European future against the brutal Russian regime.
Judicial and law enforcement authorities from seven different countries have joined forces in an action against a criminal network responsible for significant ransomware attacks across the world. These attacks are believed to have affected over 1,800 victims in 71 countries. The perpetrators targeted large corporations, effectively bringing their business to a standstill and causing losses of at least several hundred millions of euros.
The European Commission has today proposed a 12-month prolongation of the emergency measures introduced last year in response to the energy crisis provoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and weaponisation of its energy resources. While the situation on the European energy market is more secure than 12 months ago, the Commission is proposing this extension to further enhance security of gas supply and strengthen market resilience. The three measures proposed for extension today comprise the so-called gas solidarity measures, the Market Correction Mechanism (MCM) and the rules related to permit-granting for renewable energy projects. Their continued application now needs to be agreed upon by the Council, in line with the Article 122 procedure.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson met in Helsinki on Monday 27 November. Items on the agenda included bilateral relations between the countries, the security situation and other topical international and EU issues. The discussion also addressed recent events at Finland’s eastern border.
In the past four days, it has been heart-warming to see the first Israeli hostages freed, along with hostages of other nationalities. I also welcome the substantial increase in the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians civilians in Gaza made possible by this pause in the hostilities.
I am fully aware – all of us are fully aware – of the trauma and rage that are again haunting the region. I could feel it everywhere during my recent visit: in Israel, in Palestine, in Jordan. Nothing can justify the indiscriminate brutality Hamas unleashed against civilians the 7th of October, but one horror cannot justify another horror.
Industrial emissions: EU Council and Parliament agree on new rules to reduce harmful emissions from industry and improve public access to information +++ Pollution: deal with Council to reduce industrial emissions – EP +++ UKRAINE: EU Commissioner Sinkevičius gives a short speech at the Conference for Ukraine’s Green Recovery
UN Explainer: What’s COP28 and why is it important? +++ Remarks by EU Commissioner Simson at the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee +++ IAEA at COP28: Nuclear Solutions for a Net Zero Future +++ Energiewirtschaft im Wandel: Zahlen zu Emissionen und Ausgaben rund um den Klimaschutz – BMUB +++ Can the stakes of COP28 live up to the expectations of civil society? – Florence School of Regulation +++ CLIMATE STATE AID: EU Commission approves €1.1 billion Spanish State aid scheme to support investments in equipment necessary to foster the transition to a net-zero economy
ENERGY EMERGENCY: EU Commission prolongs energy emergency measures by 12 months +++ EU Commission endorses positive preliminary assessment of Italy’s request for €16.5 billion disbursement under the Recovery and Resilience Facility +++ EU Commission endorses positive preliminary assessment of Germany’s request for €4 billion disbursement under the Recovery and Resilience Facility +++ ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE: EU Commission proposes 166 cross-border energy projects for EU support to help deliver the European Green Deal +++ Questions and Answers on the new list of EU energy Projects of Common and Mutual Interest +++ EU Commission sets out actions to accelerate the roll-out of electricity grids
The European Commission has approved a €1.1 billion Spanish scheme to support investments for the production of equipment necessary to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework.
‘Ayaş Domatesi’ is a thin-skinned and very juicy tomato grown from seeds and seedlings of the local ecotype in the Ayaş district of Ankara province. It is large and fleshy, its skin has a dull pink-red colour and there are slight ridges on the outer surface of the tomato. When the fruit is split in two, a white patch can be seen on the flesh. Due to its high acidity, it has a slightly salty and lemony aroma.
The European Commission has today added ‘Irish Grass Fed Beef’ to the register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI), signifying the fourth EU Geographical Indication (GI) awarded to the entire island of Ireland – comprising Ireland and Northern Ireland. Cattle rearing has long been recognised as an integral part of the Irish and Northern Irish economies, based on the island of Ireland’s unique dependence on grass-based agriculture and its grass growing potential.
Volunteering activities will get a major boost in 2024 thanks to a new funding opportunity that the Commission launched today. A new call for proposals under the European Solidarity Corps, covering 2024, will support young people across the EU and beyond who wish to engage in solidarity activities. Areas covered range from social inclusion actions to helping people with fewer opportunities, contributing to the green and digital transitions, democratic participation and addressing health related challenges.
The updated law will help guide industrial investments necessary for Europe’s transformation towards a cleaner, carbon neutral, more circular and competitive economy by 2050. It will spur innovation, reward frontrunners and help level the playing field on the EU market, and increase long-term investment certainty for industry.
UKRAINE: EU and Ukraine outline plans for sustainable reconstruction in a high-level conference +++ PACKAGING: European Parliament discriminates plastics packaging – EUPC +++ EU HEALTH UNION: Sickness and healthcare expenditure down in 2022.
CCUS: New policy and business approaches are needed to support scaling up of CCUS to help reach net zero goals +++ Keynote speech by EU Commissioner Simson at the Carbon capture, utilisation and storage Forum +++ COP28: Hopes for a sustainable planet must not ‘melt away’: Guterres +++ EDF Obs’COP 2023: Climate Change: World Opinion Faces up to Contradictions.
GAS MARKETS: Internal markets in renewable and natural gases and in hydrogen: EU Council and Parliament reach deal+++Press conference on the trilogue agreement on the gas and hydrogen markets directive+++Europa-SPD zur EU-Einigung auf Gasmarkt-Richtlinie: „Wandel zu nachhaltiger Industrie durch Wasserstoff sichern“+++EIB: European Investment Bank lends €250 million to Sorégies Group under InvestEU to speed up its energy transition