Portugal takes the reins
19 Jan
Portugal takes the reins
Tackling the Coronavirus pandemic inevitably tops the new EU Council Presidency, but as Martin Banks reports, Portugal has plenty of other plans for the next six months.
Brexit deal has ‘ability to evolve’ in coming years, says former UK government minister
18 Jan
Brexit deal has ‘ability to evolve’ in coming years, says former UK government minister
David Lidington, the UK’s Europe minister from 2010 to 2016, said the agreement reached between the two sides on Christmas Eve is “a lot better than a No Deal and a crash out of the EU.”
COVID-19 pandemic has tested ‘relatively limited’ health powers of the EU, says report
18 Jan
COVID-19 pandemic has tested ‘relatively limited’ health powers of the EU, says report
A new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) highlights “certain challenges” faced by the EU and its Member States since the outbreak of the health crisis last March.
EU leaders and MEPs condemn Alexei Navalny arrest in Russia
18 Jan
EU leaders and MEPs condemn Alexei Navalny arrest in Russia
The Russian opposition leader, who survived a Novichok poisoning attempt in August, was detained by Russian authorities on his return to Russia on Sunday.
Europe can become an innovative space technology hub, says Thierry Breton
15 Jan
Europe can become an innovative space technology hub, says Thierry Breton
But EU also faces ‘enormous challenges’ and risks losing ground in the space sector, warns internal market commissioner.
MEPs pay tribute to Marielle de Sarnez
14 Jan
MEPs pay tribute to Marielle de Sarnez
De Sarnez, who was an MEP from 1999 until 2017, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 69.
Donald Trump impeached for a second time
14 Jan
Donald Trump impeached for a second time
Trump has been impeached for inciting the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol, making him the only president in US history who has been impeached twice.
EU chief Coronavirus vaccine coordinator allays concerns over perceived slow rollout
13 Jan
EU chief Coronavirus vaccine coordinator allays concerns over perceived slow rollout
Sandra Gallina, who is leading the vaccine negotiations for the EU, told MEPs, “we have the vaccines, they are coming.”
MEP takes aim at UK’s Coronavirus vaccination policy; says it will ‘come at a price’
12 Jan
MEP takes aim at UK’s Coronavirus vaccination policy; says it will ‘come at a price’
The UK is seen as having stolen a march on the rest of Europe by vaccinating tens of thousands of citizens after approving two types of vaccine.
MEPs ‘regret’ being unable to scrutinise Brexit deal before it came into force
12 Jan
MEPs ‘regret’ being unable to scrutinise Brexit deal before it came into force
Monday’s debate by members of Parliament’s trade committee was the first time MEPs have discussed the EU-UK trade and partnership agreement since its announcement on Christmas Eve.
Commission must provide transparency on talks with vaccine manufacturers
11 Jan
Commission must provide transparency on talks with vaccine manufacturers
European Parliament Vice-President Nicola Beer says the executive must give MEPs “precise answers” to avoid damage to the reputation of the EU and its institutions.
EU orders further 200 million COVID-19 vaccines
08 Jan
EU orders further 200 million COVID-19 vaccines
Ursula von der Leyen says there are now 2.3 billion vaccine doses on order from six different pharma companies.
MEPs call on EU to provide ‘lifeboat policy’ for persecuted Hong Kong dissidents
08 Jan
MEPs call on EU to provide ‘lifeboat policy’ for persecuted Hong Kong dissidents
Demand follows arrest of prominent pro-democracy advocates by China.
European Commission denies Germany breaking ranks on COVID-19 vaccines buying strategy
08 Jan
European Commission denies Germany breaking ranks on COVID-19 vaccines buying strategy
Denial follows criticism that EU has been slow to roll out vaccines.
European Commission defends Coronavirus vaccine strategy following fierce criticism that vaccination roll out has been too slow
07 Jan
European Commission defends Coronavirus vaccine strategy following fierce criticism that vaccination roll out has been too slow
While UK has rolled out its second vaccine, many EU member states only just beginning vaccination programmes.
MEPs shocked by violent events in Washington DC; congratulate Joe Biden on confirmation of election victory
07 Jan
MEPs shocked by violent events in Washington DC; congratulate Joe Biden on confirmation of election victory
US Capitol Hill rioting a warning of the dangers of populism, conspiracy theories and the platforms that spread them, says senior MEP.
EU reacts to pro-trump mob’s storming of US Capitol
07 Jan
EU reacts to pro-trump mob’s storming of US Capitol
MEPs lay blame for violent overnight scenes in Washington at President Donald Trump’s feet.
Manfred Weber blasts Viktor Orbán over nationalist-populist approach and culture war
05 Jan
Manfred Weber blasts Viktor Orbán over nationalist-populist approach and culture war
The controversial Hungarian Prime Minister has been accused by the EPP group leader of wanting to "destroy" the EU in a scathing interview.
EU outlines adjustment fund for sectors potentially impacted by Brexit
30 Dec
EU outlines adjustment fund for sectors potentially impacted by Brexit
Reserve will have an overall budget of €5bn and support businesses and workers worst affected by the UK leaving the EU.
EU Member States and European Parliament provisionally approve Brexit deal
30 Dec
EU Member States and European Parliament provisionally approve Brexit deal
New agreement was given green light at separate meetings of EU ambassadors and group leaders of the European parliament earlier this week.
5 Questions with... Vlad Gheorghe
29 Dec
5 Questions with... Vlad Gheorghe
Vlad Gheorghe (RO, RE) is a member of the European Parliament’s Budgets Committee.
How can the EU better develop its research, education and innovation ‘knowledge triangle’? Partner Content
28 Dec
How can the EU better develop its research, education and innovation ‘knowledge triangle’?
Locating research centres next to universities can help ensure that investment in research is translated into business opportunities, reports Martin Banks.
European Parliament President hails Brexit deal, says assembly will now ‘scrutinise in detail’
24 Dec
European Parliament President hails Brexit deal, says assembly will now ‘scrutinise in detail’
On Thursday evening, David Sassoli said, “The Parliament thanks and congratulates the EU and UK negotiators for their intense efforts to reach, albeit at the last minute, this historic agreement.”
White smoke at last as EU and UK announce Brexit deal
24 Dec
White smoke at last as EU and UK announce Brexit deal
After months of tortuous wrangling, the two sides finally reached agreement on a trade deal on Christmas Eve, just days before the end of the transition period.