Commission says all pharma companies except AstraZeneca delivered correct number of vaccine doses
01 Feb
Commission says all pharma companies except AstraZeneca delivered correct number of vaccine doses
The executive is still embroiled in a bitter row with AstraZeneca over claims that the Anglo-Swedish company has not fulfilled the terms of its contract with the EU by drastically cutting the number of doses it said it would supply.
Probe launched into Frontex over alleged rights violations
01 Feb
Probe launched into Frontex over alleged rights violations
A working group led by MEPs in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee will probe recent alleged violations of fundamental rights against the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
German Greens MEP calls for quick phase-out of nuclear energy
01 Feb
German Greens MEP calls for quick phase-out of nuclear energy
Jutta Paulus was speaking at an online event focusing on safety issues surrounding the construction of new nuclear reactor plants in Belarus, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
AstraZeneca COVID vaccine contract to be made public
29 Jan
AstraZeneca COVID vaccine contract to be made public
It emerged on Friday that the pharmaceutical company has agreed to publish the deal signed with the European Commission.
European Defence Agency: defence spending hit a “new high” in 2019
29 Jan
European Defence Agency: defence spending hit a “new high” in 2019
The agency has published its annual "Defence Data" report, detailing defence spending by the 26 EDA Member States.
Commission insists ‘we can and will’ obtain doses of AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine
28 Jan
Commission insists ‘we can and will’ obtain doses of AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine
This is despite the Anglo-Swedish company telling the EU to expect a huge reduction - up to 60 percent - of the doses originally agreed between the two sides.
EU cannot ‘fast track’ Coronavirus vaccine authorisation like UK, admits senior EU official
28 Jan
EU cannot ‘fast track’ Coronavirus vaccine authorisation like UK, admits senior EU official
Despite a high death toll, the UK has been widely applauded for rolling out vaccines to millions of Britons while the vast majority of Europeans are still waiting for their first jab.
Michel Barnier says EU ‘managed to hold its nerve’ in reaching eleventh-hour Brexit deal
28 Jan
Michel Barnier says EU ‘managed to hold its nerve’ in reaching eleventh-hour Brexit deal
Barnier, formerly head of the EU’s Brexit negotiating team, also warned that the EU would be “extremely vigilant” in making sure that the UK sticks by the terms of the agreement.
MEPs up in arms as Polish near-total abortion ban takes effect despite mass protests
28 Jan
MEPs up in arms as Polish near-total abortion ban takes effect despite mass protests
The ruling, which came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, will mean that the only grounds for accessing an abortion in the country will be in the case of rape, incest, or if there is a threat to the mother’s life.
Many EU workers in UK care homes will fail to register status before deadline, says report
27 Jan
Many EU workers in UK care homes will fail to register status before deadline, says report
The report by the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) found that one in three care workers had not heard of the UK Government’s EU Settled Status Scheme and that one in two did not know about the deadline.
COVID-19 crisis will have ‘massive and lasting’ impact on Europe’s culture sector, says report
27 Jan
COVID-19 crisis will have ‘massive and lasting’ impact on Europe’s culture sector, says report
The study on the state of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in Europe also says that the industry can be “one of the drivers to help boost and revamp” the EU economy.
MEPs in talks on holding public hearing with vaccine producers
27 Jan
MEPs in talks on holding public hearing with vaccine producers
Call from European Parliament’s Renew Europe Group follows concerns over vaccine availability and deployment.
EU health commissioner says slashing Coronavirus vaccine supplies to EU is ‘not acceptable’
26 Jan
EU health commissioner says slashing Coronavirus vaccine supplies to EU is ‘not acceptable’
AstraZeneca was expected to deliver around 80 million doses to the 27 Member States by the end of March, but now says it will cut deliveries of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine to the EU by 60 percent in the first quarter of the year.
MEPs call for Scotland and Wales to be included in EU’s Erasmus programme
25 Jan
MEPs call for Scotland and Wales to be included in EU’s Erasmus programme
Appeal follows decision by UK Premier Boris Johnson to withdraw Britain from the flagship student exchange scheme.
Campaign groups take aim at Commission’s Coronavirus vaccine strategy
25 Jan
Campaign groups take aim at Commission’s Coronavirus vaccine strategy
This comes after the European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly launched an investigation into what campaigners call the Commission’s “secrecy” around its COVID-19 vaccine contracts with pharmaceutical companies.
Former MEP Kaja Kallas to become Estonia’s first female prime minister
25 Jan
Former MEP Kaja Kallas to become Estonia’s first female prime minister
Kallas, who leads the centre-right Reform Party, will become the country’s premier after forming a coalition government with the centre-left Centre Party.
EU leaders agree to keep Europe’s borders open
22 Jan
EU leaders agree to keep Europe’s borders open
However, with fresh fears of new strains of the coronavirus, they have warned again non-essential travel.
UK in diplomatic spat with EU over ambassador rights
22 Jan
UK in diplomatic spat with EU over ambassador rights
The UK has been accused of “childish petulance” after it refused to grant the EU’s ambassador to Britain full diplomatic privileges.
MEPS call on EU to help ‘struggling’ Western Balkan countries cope with COVID-19 pandemic
21 Jan
MEPS call on EU to help ‘struggling’ Western Balkan countries cope with COVID-19 pandemic
Demand comes as EU leaders hold virtual summit on ongoing health crisis.
MEPs greet Joe Biden presidency as beginning of 'new era' for transatlantic relations
21 Jan
MEPs greet Joe Biden presidency as beginning of 'new era' for transatlantic relations
European Parliament welcomes host of US executive orders, including rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization.
MEPs debate EU’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy
20 Jan
MEPs debate EU’s COVID-19 vaccine strategy
EU must stay unified and ensure equal access to vaccines, says Socialist Group leader Iratxe Garcia.
European Commission president joins senior MEPs in greeting the start of Biden Presidency
20 Jan
European Commission president joins senior MEPs in greeting the start of Biden Presidency
New EU-US relationship needed to address global challenges, says Ursula von der Leyen.
MEPs throw weight behind growing calls for an EU-wide vaccination certificate
19 Jan
MEPs throw weight behind growing calls for an EU-wide vaccination certificate
The idea, first mooted by Greece, is due to be debated by EU leaders at a special virtual summit to discuss the pandemic on Thursday 21 January.
Biden presidency an opportunity to strengthen EU’s ‘transatlantic bond’ with US
19 Jan
Biden presidency an opportunity to strengthen EU’s ‘transatlantic bond’ with US
MEPs set to hold debate on EU-US relationship on inauguration day, Wednesday 20 January.