21 Aug 20
Senior MEPs condemn violence and torture in Belarus and demand ‘new and free’ elections
European Parliament group leaders call for EU to appoint ‘special representative’ for Belarus to support peaceful transition of power.
20 Aug 20
EU leaders reject Belarus presidential election result
The August 9 poll has been condemned by the EU, with sanctions announced against Belarusian officials involved in election fraud and abuse of protesters.
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20 Aug 20
Dieselgate: Calls for European car manufacturers to end legal delays and agree compromise settlement
Coronavirus crisis, climate change and economic recovery highlight imperative of industry moving on from exhaust emissions scandal.
11 Aug 20
Parliament’s EPP Group calls for sanctions against Belarusian President and law enforcement leaders
Alexander Lukashenko won a landslide re-election victory after bloody clashes between riot police and thousands of protesters who said Sunday’s poll was rigged.
10 Aug 20
European Commission pledges additional €30m in support for Lebanon
The executive made the pledge on Sunday at an international virtual conference on assistance and support to Beirut.
07 Aug 20
European Commission considers reopening buildings across EU by mid-September
The executive insists, however, that this decision will depend on the spread of COVID-19 in Member States.
07 Aug 20
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.
06 Aug 20
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.
05 Aug 20
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.
04 Aug 20
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.”
03 Aug 20
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.
03 Aug 20
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.
31 Jul 20
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.
31 Jul 20
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’.
30 Jul 20
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.
29 Jul 20
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.
28 Jul 20
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.”
28 Jul 20
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.
27 Jul 20
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.
27 Jul 20
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.
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27 Jul 20
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.
24 Jul 20
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.
23 Jul 20
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.
23 Jul 20
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.