Headline

Brussels plans EUR 100 billion coronavirus solidarity fund

The EU Commission proposed Thursday to set up a EUR 100 bn coronavirus solidarity fund to help businesses stay afloat and workers keep incomes, and to redirect structural funds to coronavirus response.

EC scientists develop new control material to help prevent coronavirus test failures

Scientists at the EC's Joint European Research Centre have designed new control material that laboratories can use to check the correct functioning of their coronavirus tests and to avoid false negatives.

EU waives 'use it or lose it' slot rules for airlines

The EU gave the green light Monday to suspend until 24 October airport slot requirements which oblige airlines to use at least 80% of their take-off and landing slots, in order to keep them the following year.

Coronavirus equipment ready soon after joint EU procurement bid

The joint EU procurement of coronavirus personal protective equipment has been a success, says the European Commission, with equipment available two weeks after Member States sign contracts with the bidders.

'Green lanes' to speed up freight across EU borders

As the coronavirus pandemic continues major disruption to European transport, the EU Commission issued new practical advice Monday on how to keep freight moving across the EU during the current crisis.

EU shuts borders to non-essential travel for 30 days

EU leaders agreed in a video conference Tuesday that they would reinforce the EU's external borders by placing coordinated, temporary restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU for a period of 30 days.

Coronavirus: EU set to relax state aid rules to support Europe's economy

The EU Commission sent a proposal to Member States Monday for a temporary state aid framework to support Europe's businesses in the context of the shocks the corona virus is causing to the economy.

Coronavirus: EU acts to prevent shortages

The EU Commission outlined new guidelines related to Coronavirus Monday, aiming to ensure the right treatment of people who have to travel and ensure essential goods and services remain available.

EU package to counter economic impact of Coronavirus

The EU set out Friday its response to the Coronavirus public health emergency with a package to mitigate the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, centred on a European coordinated response.

MEPs give EU-Vietnam trade deal the green light

The European Parliament approved Wednesday the EU-Vietnam trade agreement, described as the "most modern and ambitious agreement ever concluded between the EU and a developing country".

EU offers zero-tariff trade deal if UK keeps to commitment on 'level playing field'

The EU offered the UK a tariff-free trade deal Monday, so long as it kept to commitments it made in the Political Declaration to a 'level playing field' and preventing unfair competitive advantages.

Britain leaves the European Union

More than 45 years of the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union came to an end on Saturday, as the UK's EU withdrawal agreement entered into force at midnight CET.

MEPs call for legally binding targets on biodiversity

The European Parliament called Thursday on the upcoming 2020 UN biodiversity conference COP 15 to agree on legally binding targets, as was the case for the Paris agreement on climate change.

New rules to boost crowdfunding across EU borders

The EU Parliament and Council reached provisional agreement Wednesday evening on EU-wide rules to help crowdfunding services function smoothly and foster cross-border business funding.

Unprecedented urgency of Europe's environmental challenge

A change of direction is urgently needed if Europe is to face climate challenges of 'unprecedented scale and urgency', the EU environment agency said in its 'State of the Environment' report, published Wednesday.

EU Parliament declares global climate emergency

The EU must commit to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 at an upcoming UN Conference, the European Parliament said Thursday as it approved a resolution declaring a climate emergency in Europe and globally.

Go-ahead for 13 new EU defence projects

EU defence ministers gave the go-ahead Tuesday to an updated list of 13 new projects to be undertaken under the EU's new 'Permanent Structured Cooperation' defence structure (PESCO).

First Ebola vaccine receives European approval

The European Commission adopted a decision Tuesday granting the first-ever market authorisation to the company Merck Sharp & Dohme B.V. for a vaccine against the deadly Ebola virus.

EU leaders endorse Boris Johnson's Brexit deal

"We've got a great new deal that takes back control," said British prime minister Johnson after EU leaders at a summit Thursday endorsed a revised UK withdrawal agreement and political declaration.

EU reaffirms ambition for climate neutrality by 2050

The European Commission reaffirmed the EU's commitment to accelerated climate ambition Wednesday, as it makes preparations for a long-term strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

EU reaches agreement with Mercosur on huge trade deal

The EU and the Mercosur trading bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil Paraguay and Uruguay reached a political agreement on Friday on a comprehensive trade deal - the largest the EU has ever concluded.

EU will not reopen talks on UK withdrawal agreement

Ending their two-day summit Friday, EU heads of state and government looked forward to a new UK prime minister, but said they would not reopen negotiations on Britain's withdrawal agreement.

Euro-elections shake up Europe's political establishment

Europe's voters delivered a shake-up message in the European Parliament elections Monday, with strong results for the far-right in France and the Greens in Germany, as well as the Brexit party in the UK.

Europe goes to the polls

Three days of Europe-wide elections for the European Parliament got under way Thursday with voters in the Netherlands and also, finally, the United Kingdom going to the polls.The count starts Sunday.

MEPs back plans to reform EU agriculture

MEPs in committee voted Monday and Tuesday on farm policy reform plans including rules for direct payments and rural development and the common market organisation in agricultural products after 2020.