EU Top News
Brexit Withdrawal Agreement passes first EU Parliament hurdle
The Brexit Withdrawal Agreement passed its first EU Parliament test Thursday, when its Constitutional Affairs Committee recommended that the Parliament plenary should approve the UK withdrawal terms.
EUR 200m boost for SMEs in EU neighbouring countries
The European Investment Bank and the EU Commission have joined forces in an 'SME Access to Finance' initiative to support economic growth, innovation and employment in EU neighbouring countries.
EU and 16 other WTO members agree temporary dispute settlement arrangement
The EU and 16 other WTO members agreed Friday to develop a multi-party interim appeal arrangement for participating WTO members to preserve a 2-step dispute settlement system in disputes among them.
MEPs back transport package to improve conditions for drivers
A European Parliament committee approved a deal Tuesday to reform the road transport sector with revised rules for posting of drivers, drivers' rest times and better enforcement of 'cabotage' rules.
EP green light for EU-Vietnam free trade deal
The free trade and investment protection agreements between the EU and Vietnam, approved by an EU Parliament committee Tuesday, will remove virtually all tariffs between the two parties over ten years.
MEPs call for end to lead in recycled PVC
MEPs on the European Parliament's Environment Committee objected Tuesday to a Commission proposal allowing lead in recycled PVC, citing the need to protect human health and the environment.
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.
20,000 young people set for free EU travel passes
Around 20,000 18-year-olds are set to receive a travel pass under the fourth and latest round of DiscoverEU, the opportunity to explore Europe which attracted some 75,000 applications from across Europe.
MEPs voice concern over citizens' rights post-Brexit
Assurances on the protection of citizens' rights in the UK EU Settlement Scheme and freedom of movement were needed if MEPs are to consent to the UK Withdrawal Agreement, they said Wednesday.
EU, U.S. and Japan agree new global rules on subsidies
The European Union, the United States and Japan announced their agreement Tuesday to strengthen existing rules on industrial subsidies and condemned forced technology transfers practices.
EU sets out plans to finance green economy
The EU unveiled plans Tuesday to finance its new European Green Deal, which it says would lead to more than EUR 1 trillion of public investment through EU financial instruments, as well as private funds.
EU travellers still not aware of their passenger rights
Only 43% of EU citizens who have travelled by air, long-distance rail, coach, ship or ferry in the previous 12 months know that the EU has put in place rights for passengers, a Commission survey said Monday.
Brussels looks to strengthen IPR protection
The EU Commission signalled its intention Thursday to crack down on intellectual property rights infringements, which it says cost European firms billions of euros in lost revenue and put jobs at risk.
Use of EU's space assets under auditor scrutiny
The EU Court of Auditors said Thursday it is examining how effectively the European Commission promotes the uptake of services provided by two of the EU's key space programmes, Copernicus and Galileo.
EU toughens consumer protection for the digital world
New EU rules for consumer protection entered into force on Tuesday, with the aim of toughening up and modernising current EU consumer protection rules, in line with digital developments.
Global level of marine fuels pollution cut from 1 January
From 1 January 2020, the maximum sulphur content of fuels from ships' combustion engines is reduced to 0.5% (down from 3.5%) - reducing air pollution and protecting health and the environment.
Stricter C02 emissions standards for new cars and vans come into force
A new EU Regulation setting stricter CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and for new light commercial vehicles (vans) in the EU came into force on 1 January 2020.
Galway, Rijeka start as European Capitals of Culture
The city of Rijeka in current EU president Croatia and Galway in Ireland began their joint one year tenure of the title of European Capital of Culture on Wednesday 1 January 2020.
EU states agree fish quotas for 2020
The EU Council reached political agreement Wednesday on 2020 catch limits for the main commercial fish stocks in the Atlantic, the North Sea and international fisheries in which EU vessels participate.
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.