Brexit trade talks likely to go down to the wire as EU draws up ‘needs assessment’ in case of a no-deal
17 Jul
Brexit trade talks likely to go down to the wire as EU draws up ‘needs assessment’ in case of a no-deal
No deal, or ‘bare bones’ trade deal, likely outcome, warn former UK policymakers.
MEPs declare ‘this is the moment’ to agree EU long-term budget and recovery fund
16 Jul
MEPs declare ‘this is the moment’ to agree EU long-term budget and recovery fund
It is hoped that Friday’s crunch summit will resolve the current impasse over the budget and €750bn recovery package designed to help EU economies address the impact of the pandemic.
New AMR Action Fund could be ‘game changer’ in battle against antimicrobial resistance
10 Jul
New AMR Action Fund could be ‘game changer’ in battle against antimicrobial resistance
Fund’s launch comes with warning that up to ten million lives could be lost globally each year by 2050 to antimicrobial resistant ‘superbugs’.
Names of MEPs who will sit on European parliament’s new committees announced
10 Jul
Names of MEPs who will sit on European parliament’s new committees announced
Parliament has set up a subcommittee on taxation, three special committees - one on cancer, another on artificial intelligence and a third on foreign interference - and a committee of inquiry on animal transport.
Charles Michel tables plan to break impasse on EU’s Coronavirus recovery fund and next long term budget
10 Jul
Charles Michel tables plan to break impasse on EU’s Coronavirus recovery fund and next long term budget
European Council president’s ‘new’ proposal focuses on funding elements around climate change, the rule of law and Brexit.
Senior MEP ‘pessimistic’ about progress in latest Brexit talks
09 Jul
Senior MEP ‘pessimistic’ about progress in latest Brexit talks
Bernd Lange, a member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, told this website that he hopes the continuing talks, being held for the first time in London, will “unlock the UK’s negotiating position.”
EU leaders tell Member States it is ‘essential’ to agree on budget and recovery plan at summit
09 Jul
EU leaders tell Member States it is ‘essential’ to agree on budget and recovery plan at summit
At least four Member States, “the Frugal Four”, remain opposed to the package, but the leaders of the main EU institutions have ratcheted up the pressure to reach an agreement in a week’s time.
Trade Commissioner: EU will ‘act decisively’ if US slaps fresh tariffs on goods
09 Jul
Trade Commissioner: EU will ‘act decisively’ if US slaps fresh tariffs on goods
Phil Hogan’s stark warning follows the US threat to put duties on EU goods such as beer, gin and olives, intensifying a long-running row over aviation subsidies between the two sides.
Resumed Brexit talks have ‘not lived up to’ call for more urgency to reach deal
07 Jul
Resumed Brexit talks have ‘not lived up to’ call for more urgency to reach deal
Luxembourg MEP Christophe Hansen, a member of Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, said the meetings between the two sides have, so far, “not exactly lived up to the expectations of fresh momentum.”
Commission admits ‘series of mistakes’ made after von der Leyen Croatia election video
06 Jul
Commission admits ‘series of mistakes’ made after von der Leyen Croatia election video
In an unusual intervention in domestic politics, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly voiced her support for Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic ahead of Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Frugal Four will back EU budget and recovery plan ‘subject to concessions’
06 Jul
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Frugal Four will back EU budget and recovery plan ‘subject to concessions’
The former Danish Prime Minister’s comments come ahead of a key meeting on Wednesday, where EU leaders hope to break the current impasse over the €750bn Recovery Plan and the next long-term budget.
Spate of burglaries hit European Parliament during Coronavirus lockdown
06 Jul
Spate of burglaries hit European Parliament during Coronavirus lockdown
The crime spree appears to have taken place mainly while the building was effectively empty, with thieves accessing “sensitive” papers and breaking into secure cupboards in MEPs’ offices.
French Armed Forces Minister makes plea for ‘properly financed’ European Defence Fund
06 Jul
French Armed Forces Minister makes plea for ‘properly financed’ European Defence Fund
Speaking to MEPs, Florence Parly said the EDF, a new EU defence initiative, could be “an important tool for economic recovery” from the pandemic.
Michel Barnier says ‘serious divergences remain’ in Brexit negotiations
02 Jul
Michel Barnier says ‘serious divergences remain’ in Brexit negotiations
The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator was speaking at the close of this week’s talks with his UK counterpart David Frost.
MEPs call for more transparency in German politics as EU presidency kicks off
02 Jul
MEPs call for more transparency in German politics as EU presidency kicks off
A new report claims that the German government’s “love affair” with gas and “unconditional support” for its automobile sector are “clear cut examples” of how its EU presidency risks stymying effective climate action by the EU.
Selection process for new European Banking Authority chief branded ‘a joke’
01 Jul
Selection process for new European Banking Authority chief branded ‘a joke’
Senior German MEP Sven Giegold says that MEPs will only be able to choose from a “one-man” shortlist which also lacks gender balance.
“High expectations” for German EU presidency, says senior MEP
01 Jul
“High expectations” for German EU presidency, says senior MEP
Senior Greens MEP Bas Eickhout says Germany takes over the helm of the EU from Croatia during “unprecedented times” for the bloc.
Europol reports 106 percent increase in child sexual exploitation
01 Jul
Europol reports 106 percent increase in child sexual exploitation
The EU’s police agency says there has been a “surge” in online distribution of child sexual abuse material during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Margaritis Schinas under fire for failing to respond to complaint by leading rights group
30 Jun
Margaritis Schinas under fire for failing to respond to complaint by leading rights group
The European Commission Vice-President was initially lambasted by the European Network Against Racism after comments he reportedly made following the death of George Floyd in the United States.
WHO forced to defend contribution to tackling COVID-19 after blistering attack by MEP
30 Jun
WHO forced to defend contribution to tackling COVID-19 after blistering attack by MEP
ID member Silvia Sardone launched an attack on the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom, when he spoke to a parliamentary committee via video link.
MEPs welcome decision to establish animal welfare committee in Parliament
30 Jun
MEPs welcome decision to establish animal welfare committee in Parliament
Animal welfare campaign groups say the establishment of a special committee is particularly timely as the trade in live animal transportation is increasing across Europe.
Parliament hopes to resume plenary sessions in Strasbourg in September
29 Jun
Parliament hopes to resume plenary sessions in Strasbourg in September
Parliament cancelled all plenary sessions in the French city due to the spread of the Coronavirus - the last parliamentary session held there was in February.
Intensified Brexit talks kick off with first face-to-face meetings since COVID-19 outbreak
29 Jun
Intensified Brexit talks kick off with first face-to-face meetings since COVID-19 outbreak
It is hoped that the resumption of “physical” negotiations, as opposed to conference calls, will facilitate a speeding up of the deadlocked discussions.
German EU presidency urged to ‘show an interest’ in bloc at time of unprecedented challenges
26 Jun
German EU presidency urged to ‘show an interest’ in bloc at time of unprecedented challenges
Germany takes over the rotating presidency from Croatia on 1 July, against a backdrop of crises, including the Coronavirus pandemic, Brexit and the still-unapproved long-term EU budget.