Thu. Nov 30th, 2023

NEWS & BACKGROUND

ON THE TOP

power plant, ruskin fl, florida

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 28 November 2023

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

Read More »

Finland and Sweden hold historic joint security meeting in Helsinki

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.

Read More »
scrapyard, recycling, dump

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 24 November 2023

CEN and CENELEC: Opinion on the revision of the Waste Framework Directive +++ PACKAGING: Cefic’s Reaction to the European Parliament Vote on New EU Rules for Packaging and Packaging Waste +++ ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE: UNECE reviews the environmental performance of Tajikistan for the fourth time +++ EFSA BRIEFS: National Dietary Survey on Children in Montenegro from 1 to 9 years old – External Scientific Report

Read More »
power plant, air pollution, coal-fired power station

Insight EU Climate Monitoring 24 November 2023

EU – CANADA: EU and Canada forge Green Alliance for closer cooperation +++ EU-Canada Summit 2023 – Joint Statement +++ Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel and Prime Minister Trudeau following the EU-Canada Summit +++ UNFCCC: Boosting Climate Transparency and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Asia-Pacific

Read More »

LATEST NEWS TICKER

BUSINESS

EU Commission approves €833m Danish and Swedish State aid measure to recapitalise SAS

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.

Read More »

Data Act: EU Council adopts new law on fair access to and use of data

The data act will give both individuals and businesses more control over their data through a reinforced portability right, copying or transferring data easily from across different services, where the data are generated through smart objects, machines, and devices. The new law will empower consumers and companies by giving them a say on what can be done with the data generated by their connected products.

Read More »

Countering migrant smuggling: EU Commission launches a global alliance

The Commission will present new legislation on countering migrant smuggling. This covers a Directive laying down minimum rules on the facilitation of unauthorised entry, transit and stay in the EU, and a Regulation to reinforce Europol’s role and inter-agency cooperation in the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings.

Read More »

Employment and social policy: Main Results of the EU Council on 27 November 2023

EU Ministers agreed the Council’s position on the directive establishing the European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities. The directive will facilitate the free movement of persons with disabilities in the Union, by ensuring equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment for persons with disabilities during short stays, such as reduced or zero entry fees, priority access, assistance and reserved parking spaces.

Read More »
calendar, date, time

Insight EU Agenda: Upcoming EU Events 27 November – 3 December 2023

Meetings of EU Commission Members +++ EU Parliament Agenda +++ Agenda of the EU EPSCO Council (Employment and social policy) +++ Meetings of EU Council preparatory bodies +++ Judicial calendar of the EU Court of Justice and the EU General Court +++ Religious neutrality of public service employees: EU Court Judgment in Case C-148/22 Commune d’Ans +++ ECB schedule of public activities +++ Spanish EU Presidency: Selected events +++ EESC Conference: Completing the Single Market to Ensure EU’s Strategic Competitiveness +++ EESC Joint meeting: CARIFORUM-EU Consultative Committee – 7th meeting

Read More »

EU and Ukraine outline plans for sustainable reconstruction

From tomorrow to 1 December the Commission is hosting a high-level conference in Vilnius, Lithuania on the green recovery in Ukraine. Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius will represent the Commission and stress the commitment for a continued cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in its sustainable reconstruction efforts.

Read More »
harington point, new zealand, pasture

New Zealand: EU completes ratification of “state-of-the-art trade agreement”

The EU has today completed political procedures ratifying the ambitious free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand. The deal is expected to cut some €140 million a year in duties for EU companies. As a result, bilateral trade is expected to grow by up to 30% within a decade, with EU exports growing by up to €4.5 billion annually. EU investment into New Zealand is expected to grow by up to 80%. This landmark agreement also includes unprecedented sustainability commitments, including respect of the Paris Climate Agreement and core labour rights.

Read More »

Main resullts of the EU Council on Education, Youth, Culture, and Sports

Education ministers started their meeting by approving conclusions on the contribution of education and training to strengthening common European values and democratic citizenship. The protection of the values that we share as Europeans and the importance of democratic citizenship are the very backbone of our societies and an utmost priority for the Spanish presidency. Today, we reaffirm the role of education in shaping active, engaged and creative citizens.

Read More »

Video games sector: EU Council to protect its cultural and creative dimension

Today, the Council approved conclusions on enhancing the cultural and creative dimension of the European video games sector. The video games sector is an integral part of the ecosystem of cultural and creative industries. It interacts with other sectors and has great potential to transmit cultural content and highlight the value of the richness of European creation, heritage and history.

Read More »

EU Council approves measures against gender discrimination in sports

Today, the Council approved conclusions on women and equality in the field of sport. The conclusions emphasise the importance of access to a safe, inclusive and equal playing field, free from any form of inequality, discrimination or violence. Despite the progress made so far, women still participate much less in sport and physical activity than men, largely due to sociocultural barriers. However, 8 in 10 Europeans believe that female role models in sports would inspire more women and girls to follow their example.

Read More »

EU Commission approves amendment to State aid measures supporting resolution of Polish Getin Noble Bank

The Commission approved the initial support measures in October 2022 (SA.100687). According to the resolution plan, after the bank was resolved, its main assets and liabilities were transferred to a newly created bridge bank. The State aid measures were aimed at enabling a prompt sale of the bridge bank, while preserving both financial stability and a level playing field in the Single Market.

Read More »

DIGITIZATION

Remarks of EU Commission President at the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit

Given the complexity of these intelligent machines, AI safety is correspondingly much more complex. Experience from other technologies can therefore be our guide. Take the history of atomic energy and the nuclear bomb. Scientists discovered quantum physics which led to nuclear energy – good – but also with societal risks, and also to the atomic bomb.

Read More »
crane, construction site, construction crane

Insight EU Smart Cities Monitoring 31 October 2023

EU Court of Auditors Special report 24/2023: Smart cities – Tangible solutions, but fragmentation challenges their wider adoption +++ Sonderbericht 24/2023 des EU-Rechnungshof zu Intelligenten Städten: Konkrete Lösungen, doch Fragmentierung erschwert deren breitere Übernahme +++ The biggest event on European territorial cooperation kicks-off in Spain to discuss the Interreg programmes

Read More »

EU Commission welcomes G7 Leaders’ AI Guiding Principles

The Commission welcomes today’s agreement by G7 leaders on International Guiding Principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a voluntary Code of Conduct for AI developers under the Hiroshima AI process. These principles and the voluntary Code of Conduct will complement, at international level, the legally binding rules that the EU co-legislators are currently finalising under the EU AI Act. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, was among those who subscribed to the G7 leaders’ statement issued by the 2023 Japan G7 presidency.

Read More »

Panel Discussion: ChatGPT and Generative AI Tools – Risks and Benefits

We have all witnessed the recent emergence of new and highly sophisticated AI generative tools, such as ChatGPT (OpenAI). This technology, based on Large Language Models (LLMs), is here to stay and will undoubtedly have a massive impact on the world of work and on the societies in which we live. Generative AI tools are already starting to effect the way many of us work, whether in the public or private sector.

Read More »

VLOPs and Search Engines to publish first transparency reports under the DSA

As part of their transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), designated Very Large Online Platforms and Very Large Online Search Engines are due to publish their first transparency reports – and some did so already. The first seven platforms have already published their reports, and the rest have until 6 November to do so. These first seven platforms are Amazon, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, Zalando and Bing.

Read More »

Global Gateway Forum to boost sustainable investments in infrastructure

Today, the first Global Gateway Forum opened in Brussels. It brought together over 40 high-level Government representatives, financial institutions and business representatives to discuss the world’s investment needs, debate solutions and seal new deals.  The panel discussions on the first day focused on green energy and hydrogen, research and education, critical raw materials and transport corridors.

Read More »
sagrada família, cathedral, architecture

Insight EU Smart Cities Monitoring 20 October 2023

UNECE Forum of Mayors fosters city-to-city learning for regeneration and resilience, facilitating an inclusive multilateralism +++ UNECE helps Ukraine draft law to address housing challenges and develops municipal investment tracker for greater transparency in reconstruction projects +++ OECD: Smart City Data Governance: Challenges and the Way Forward +++ EU Commission on ECA Special Report “Smart Cities: : Tangible solutions, but fragmentation challenges their wider adoption” +++
Smart City Expo World Congress & Smart Cities Marketplace Forum.

Read More »

SECURITY

Deep Dive Recap: The Sahel and the Gender Perspective

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.

Read More »

Finland to close more border crossing points

Finnish Government has decided to close the border crossing points of Kuusamo, Salla and Vartius at the eastern border as of Friday 24 November 2023 at 00.00. All border crossings at the eastern border will be centralised at the border crossing point of Raja-Jooseppi. The Government decided on these new restrictions at an extraordinary session on 22 November 2023. The decision will remain in force until 23 December 2023.

Read More »

Norway: Foreign Minister welcomes a temporary ceasefire in Gaza

The agreement will make it possible to send more humanitarian aid to Gaza than before. It will now be possible to send supplies to northern Gaza, where there are still hundreds of thousands of civilians. I hope this will give the people of Gaza a much-needed break after almost six weeks of warfare and the enormous human suffering resulting from Israel’s military actions.  

Read More »

Diamonds from Russia: EU statement on the stalled Kimberley Process

“We deplore the Kimberley Process’ inability to consider the consequences for the global rough diamond sector of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. We regret that despite the significant revenues generated by Russia’s diamond exports and the Kimberley Process’ core mandate to break the link between the trade in diamonds and conflict, it was not possible to reach consensus to include an item on the agenda and discuss the matter” – EU statement.

Read More »

EU Commission pays a further €1.5bn in assistance to Ukraine

Today, the Commission has paid €1.5 billion under the Macro-financial Assistance + package for Ukraine worth up to €18 billion. Today, the Commission has paid €1.5 billion under the Macro-financial Assistance + package for Ukraine worth up to €18 billion. With this instrument, the EU seeks to help Ukraine cover its immediate funding needs, with stable, predictable and sizeable financial support in 2023. With today’s payment, Ukraine has so far received €16.5 billion this year under Macro-financial Assistance +.

Read More »

Remarks by EU Commission President at the G20 Leaders’ Summit

In the same vein, we will continue with determination to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace for Ukraine. This builds on the 10-point peace plan of President Zelenskyy. In 10 days, we will meet in Dubai for the start of COP28. The world needs global unity to fight climate change because the effect of climate change disproportionally hits the most vulnerable. We need global emissions to peak before 2025, and phase out unabated fossil fuels.

Read More »

Israel/Hamas: Statement by EU Commission President on the release of hostages and a pause in hostilities

I wholeheartedly welcome the agreement reached on the release of the 50 hostages and on a pause in hostilities. Every day these mothers and children are held hostage by terrorists is one too many. I share the joy of the families who can soon embrace their loved ones again. And I am so grateful to all those who have worked tirelessly through diplomatic channels in recent weeks to broker this agreement.

Read More »

Statement by the NATO SG on the satellite launch by the DPRK

I strongly condemn the launch of a military satellite by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, using ballistic missile technology in violation of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions. This raises tensions and poses a serious risk to regional and international security. North Korea must stop its reckless behaviour, abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and engage in diplomacy in good-faith.

Read More »

FinCEN Exchange discusss attempts by Russia to evade export controls

The Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and Office of Foreign Assets Control, along with the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), co-hosted a virtual FinCEN Exchange to discuss attempts by Russia to evade export controls. The Exchange included representatives from small- to mid-size financial institutions, law enforcement, and government agencies.

Read More »

Bahrain: Second EU-Bahrain Political Dialogue takes place in Manama

In addition to the political consultations, the two sides convened the two Senior Officials (SOM) working groups meetings on trade and global affairs. In this framework, the EU and Bahrain held in-depth, technical discussions on economic diversification; green transition and climate; development cooperation and humanitarian aid; education; research; innovation and space cooperation; and security and counterterrorism.

Read More »

SUSTAINABILITY

power plant, ruskin fl, florida

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 28 November 2023

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

Read More »
toolbox, socket, repair

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 23 November 2023

RIGHT TO REPAIR: EU Parliament: Why is the EU’s right to repair legislation important? +++ CLEAN AIR: EU Clean Air Forum: discussions focus on the impact of air pollution and upcoming EU policy +++ POLLINATORS: MEPs call for increased action and funding to reverse decline +++ ANIMAL WELFARE: Speech by Commissioner Stella Kyriakides at the European Parliament Animal Welfare Intergroup – Revision of the Animal Welfare Legislation

Read More »
co2 neutral, climate change, pxclimateaction

Insight EU Climate Monitoring 23 November 2023

UNFCCC: Early climate reporting shows countries’ commitment to transparency +++ Bruegel: COP28 – key issues at stake and indicators of success +++ CLEAN AIR: Keynote speech by Executive Vice-President Šefčovič at the EU Clean Air Forum +++ JUST TRANSITION: EU Parliament calls for protection of jobs and workers’ rights in the just transition +++ NET-ZERO: EU Commission opens €4 billion call for proposals for net-zero technologies under the Innovation Fund

Read More »
refuel, gas pump, gas station

Insight EU Energy Monitoring 23 November 2023

IEA: Oil and gas industry faces moment of truth – and opportunity to adapt – as clean energy transitions advance +++ EU ENERGY PLATFORM: Fourth round of demand aggregation for joint gas purchasing starts today +++ REPOWER EU: EU Commission endorses Hungary’s €4.6 billion REPowerEU chapter, to complement its recovery and resilience plan +++ ENERGY REGULATION: Update on the ENTSOG Annual Conference, 13 December 2023 +++ ENTSOG commences project collection for its Ten-Year Network Development Plan 2024

Read More »

EU and Canada forge Green Alliance for closer cooperation

Today, the EU and Canada have established a Green Alliance at a bilateral Summit in St John’s, Newfoundland. The Alliance will strengthen political, technical, economic and scientific cooperation between these two like-minded partners. It covers climate action, environmental and ocean protection, the clean energy transition, green industrial transformation, research and innovation and climate and biodiversity finance.

Read More »
nature, to travel, landscape

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 22 November 2023

New law proposed to improve resilience of European forests +++ EU Commission proposes comprehensive monitoring to improve resilience of European forests +++ Remarks by EU Commissioners Sinkevičius and Hoekstra at the press conference on the Forest Monitoring Law +++ Questions and Answers on Forest Monitoring Law +++ EU-Abgeordneter Markus Ferber (CSU): EU-Waldpolitik – in der Vielfalt nicht geeint +++ Circular Economy: EU Council adopts position on a directive that enshrines consumers’ right to repair.

Read More »

Feasibility study on a hydrogen value chain between Norway and Germany

The objective of the study was to assess the viability of a German-Norwegian hydrogen value chain, from potential hydrogen producers in Norway to consumers in Germany, with a planned start up in 2030. Conditions necessary to realize the value chain include market maturation and willingness to pay on the user side, regulatory framework and technology qualification.

Read More »

EU Commission endorses Ireland’s revised recovery and resilience plan

Ireland’s revised plan contains a broad scope of green measures in areas including energy renovation for public buildings, the decarbonisation of enterprises, and the promotion of sustainable transport. The Irish revised plan continues to drive the country’s digital transition. It includes measures to address the risk of the digital divide and to strengthen digital skills. The modified plan will also continue to help strengthen economic and social resilience of Ireland through support for employment by the means of upskilling and an increase in the supply of social and affordable housing, for example.

Read More »

EU Council approves 2022 international climate finance figures

The Council approved the figures today, in preparation for the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), which will take place from 30 November to 12 December in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The figures are based on the EU climate finance reporting rules laid down in the governance regulation.

Read More »
photo, woods, wildfire

Insight EU Climate Monitoring 22 November 2023

UNFCCC: Powering climate action through Earth observations technology +++ CLIMATE RISKS: 2022 was the second-worst year for wildfires, a warning from a changing climate +++ EU COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION on the financing of the annual action plan in favour of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands for 2023

Read More »

EU AGENDA

WordPress Cookie Plugin by Real Cookie Banner