EU Top News
EU-Singapore trade agreement enters into force
The EU-Singapore trade agreement came into effect Thursday, offering European companies a gateway to the fast-growing South-east-Asian region, boosting trade for companies, farmers and workers.
Eight states at risk of breaching EU stability pact
High levels of debt mean eight EU Member States - including France and Italy - are at risk of non-compliance with the European Stability and Growth Pact, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
Climate action tops EU's Budget priorities for 2020
EU institutions finally agreed Monday evening on the EU's budget for 2020, with climate change topping a list of priorities that focuses on growth and competitiveness, security and management of migration.
EUR 200m to promote European food products
The EU is to allocate over EUR 200 million in order to fund promotional activities for EU agri-food products, such as cheeses and wines, at home and abroad, the European Commission announced on Tuesday.
MEPs vote to close tax loopholes for online platforms
The European Parliament voted Thursday on measures specifying how large online platforms such as Amazon and Ebay are to contribute to closing existing loopholes that currently hinder the collection of VAT.
Company restructuring in EU made easier
The EU Council adopted Monday a Directive on cross-border conversions, mergers and divisions providing harmonised procedures for companies to merge, divide or move within the EU Single Market.
Little progress in EU's fight against antimicrobial resistance: auditors
The EU's fight against 'superbugs', especially bacteria which have become resistant to antibiotics, has brought little progress to date, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors.
EU acts against UK for not nominating Commissioner
The European Commission sent a letter of formal notice to the United Kingdom Thursday for breaching its EU Treaty obligations by not suggesting a candidate for the post of EU Commissioner.
New labelling for European tyres to save energy
A new tyre labelling scheme for car and trucks, provisionally agreed Wednesday by EU institutions, aims to increase consumer awareness and fuel savings, improve safety and decrease noise pollution.
Gender gap could hold back expected R&D surge: report
Complacency over gender diversity could be an important factor in holding back an expected global surge in research and development activity, according to new research published on Wednesday.
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).
EU sets up sanctions against Turkey for Cyprus oil drilling
The EU Council adopted a framework for restrictive measures Monday in response to unauthorised drilling by Turkey of hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, enabling sanctions on individuals or entities.
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.
Products from Israeli settlements must be labelled as such: EU top Court
Foodstuffs originating in Israel's occupied territories must bear the indication of their territory of origin, the EU's top Court ruled on Tuesday, and be labelled if originating from an Israeli settlement.
New cars in EU will need advanced safety systems from 2022
New cars placed on the EU market from mid-2022 will have to be equipped with advanced safety systems, following adoption by the EU Council of a regulation on the general safety of motor vehicles.
EU states agree measures to combat VAT fraud
The EU Council of finance ministers reached provisional agreement Friday on a set of rules on exchange of VAT payment data to facilitate detection of tax fraud in cross-border e-commerce transactions.
EU-China agree deal on Geographical Indications
The EU and China signed a landmark agreement to recognise each other's protected regional products Wednesday, protecting 100 European GIs in China and 100 Chinese GIs in the EU from imitation.
European economy heading for troubled waters
The Eurozone is heading for a period of high uncertainty, according to the EU's latest economic forecast, released Thursday, as it faces trade conflicts, rising geopolitical tensions, manufacturing weakness and Brexit.
Free EU travel passes for 20,000 young people next summer
18-year-olds in the EU have until 28 November to apply for the latest round of DiscoverEU travel passes, launched Thursday, which give them the opportunity to travel across Europe for free.
Euro-Parliament pushes for CO2 neutrality by 2050
The EU should commit to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 at the UN Conference and step up its emissions' reduction ambition for 2030, the European Parliament's Environment Committee said on Wednesday.