Britain must settle any outstanding EIB loans when it finally leaves EU, says European Commission
07 Aug
Britain must settle any outstanding EIB loans when it finally leaves EU, says European Commission
With the deadlocked Brexit talks continuing over the summer, the UK’s financial position with the European Investment Bank (EIB) has recently come under the spotlight.
EU rallies to support Lebanon after Beirut explosion
06 Aug
EU rallies to support Lebanon after Beirut explosion
The EU has activated its Civil Protection Mechanism after a huge blast devastated the port area of the capital Beirut on Tuesday.
Ursula von der Leyen and David Sassoli appeal to Member States to step up fight against racism
05 Aug
Ursula von der Leyen and David Sassoli appeal to Member States to step up fight against racism
Marking Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, the presidents of the European Commission and Parliament said Europe has a duty to protect its minorities from racism and discrimination.
Commission issues list of measures for Member States to prevent second wave of COVID-19
04 Aug
Commission issues list of measures for Member States to prevent second wave of COVID-19
With increases in cases being seen in several countries, notably Belgium, the executive warned that “now is not the time to let our guard down.”
European Parliament mourns loss of former MEP and Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume
03 Aug
European Parliament mourns loss of former MEP and Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume
Former UK Socialist MEP John Hume, described by some as “the Nelson Mandela of Irish politics”, has died after a short illness aged 83.
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
03 Aug
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
The comments come with formal talks between the EU and UK set to resume in Brussels on 17 August.
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
31 Jul
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
UK’s chief negotiator suggests there are ‘large areas of convergence’ on negotiation areas.
EU defends decision to reject Polish town twinning grant applications after cities declare themselves LGBTI-free zones
31 Jul
EU defends decision to reject Polish town twinning grant applications after cities declare themselves LGBTI-free zones
European equality commissioner, Helena Dalli says EU values and rights ‘must be respected’.
EU and UK strike conciliatory tone over possibility of Brexit trade deal being struck by autumn
30 Jul
EU and UK strike conciliatory tone over possibility of Brexit trade deal being struck by autumn
UK government says it ‘still believes’ there is chance of reaching an agreement by October.
EU recovery plan an opportunity to restructure Europe
29 Jul
EU recovery plan an opportunity to restructure Europe
EU leaders will meet Angela Merkel on Wednesday to discuss the next steps towards reaching a swift agreement on the bloc’s massive Coronavirus recovery fund and its next long-term budget.
Senior MEP urges Member States to ensure that delayed Conference on Future of Europe starts in September
28 Jul
Senior MEP urges Member States to ensure that delayed Conference on Future of Europe starts in September
Mairead McGuinness, a Vice-President of Parliament, wants the Council to draw up its position on the planned conference “as soon as possible.”
European Commission could cut EU funds to countries violating rule of law
28 Jul
European Commission could cut EU funds to countries violating rule of law
The “conditionality” clause is part of the agreement on the next EU long-term budget which is now set to be negotiated by the main EU institutions.
EU policymakers condemn Poland over withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
27 Jul
EU policymakers condemn Poland over withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
Poland’s decision to withdraw from the groundbreaking domestic violence treaty comes against a backdrop of intensified violence against women since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
MEPs warn their consent to EU long-term budget ‘cannot be taken for granted’
27 Jul
MEPs warn their consent to EU long-term budget ‘cannot be taken for granted’
The warning on Monday comes from the cross-party group of MEPs who comprise Parliament’s negotiating team on the recovery fund and long-term budget.
Wolves in sheep’s clothing Partner Content
27 Jul
Wolves in sheep’s clothing
In recent years, women’s rights, gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have been contested by a small but vocal number of Catholic-inspired European networks who managed to infiltrate institutions and governments, reports Lorna Hutchinson.
EU recovery plan agreed at a “sour price”
24 Jul
EU recovery plan agreed at a “sour price”
The European Economic and Social Committee has raised concerns over the the deal reached by European leaders.
MEPs set to battle to overturn proposed cuts to EU’s long-term budget
23 Jul
MEPs set to battle to overturn proposed cuts to EU’s long-term budget
In a debate in Parliament on the outcome of the marathon EU summit, MEPs welcomed the €750bn recovery plan but voiced fierce opposition to cuts to the budget.
Last chance saloon for Brexit trade deal as Barnier brands it ‘unlikely’
23 Jul
Last chance saloon for Brexit trade deal as Barnier brands it ‘unlikely’
As the EU and UK wrapped up their latest round of talks in London, the EU’s chief negotiator was dubious of the likelihood of breaking the deadlock while his UK counterpart was decidedly more upbeat on the prospect of a deal in September.
S&D leader: Next seven-year EU budget falls short of what’s needed
23 Jul
S&D leader: Next seven-year EU budget falls short of what’s needed
Iratxe García Pérez has warned that her group will not accept any watering down of conditionality on the compliance with democracy and rule of law.
David Sassoli: EU long-term budget ‘needs correcting’ and Parliament will try to ‘improve’ it
22 Jul
David Sassoli: EU long-term budget ‘needs correcting’ and Parliament will try to ‘improve’ it
Parliament’s President said that while the assembly is “satisfied” with the €750bn recovery plan to deal with the COVID-19 health crisis, proposed cuts in certain areas of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) need to be rectified.
EU leaders thrash out deal on Coronavirus recovery fund and budget as Parliament awaits final say
21 Jul
EU leaders thrash out deal on Coronavirus recovery fund and budget as Parliament awaits final say
After one of the longest summits on record, the heads of state finally reached agreement on Tuesday morning, but the final hurdle remains, with the consent of the European Parliament still pending.
MEPs underline ‘overwhelming evidence’ of rule of law breaches in Poland
20 Jul
MEPs underline ‘overwhelming evidence’ of rule of law breaches in Poland
Deputies have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a report criticising the “continuing deterioration” of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Poland.
Brexit talks to resume with focus on trade level playing field, fisheries and governance
20 Jul
Brexit talks to resume with focus on trade level playing field, fisheries and governance
Ahead of the resumption of negotiations on Tuesday, Michel Barnier and David Frost, the chief negotiators for the two sides, will have a dinner in London, where this week’s talks will take place.
EU leaders converge on Brussels for what are expected to be hard-fought talks to thrash out a deal on the budget and recovery fund
17 Jul
EU leaders converge on Brussels for what are expected to be hard-fought talks to thrash out a deal on the budget and recovery fund
Speaking ahead of the meeting, which is expected to go into Saturday, Charles Michel and David Sassoli, set out their stalls on what they hope will emerge from the crucial summit.