New Council of Europe report warns of democratic backsliding across continent
12 May
New Council of Europe report warns of democratic backsliding across continent
Danger that Europe’s democratic culture will not fully recover, warns CoE secretary general.
Parliament looks set to finally return to Strasbourg for monthly session
12 May
Parliament looks set to finally return to Strasbourg for monthly session
Plenary sessions in the French city were suspended due to the health pandemic, but it is believed the plan is for MEPs to return in June.
Senior MEP warns of danger that CoFoE could degenerate into ‘mere talking shop’
11 May
Senior MEP warns of danger that CoFoE could degenerate into ‘mere talking shop’
After a year-long delay caused by the health crisis, the much-vaunted Conference on the Future of Europe finally launched on Sunday. It will last 12 months and aims to pave the way for major reform of the bloc.
#IstanbulConventionSavesLives: Zero-tolerance treaty turns 10
11 May
#IstanbulConventionSavesLives: Zero-tolerance treaty turns 10
On the tenth anniversary of the groundbreaking Istanbul Convention, MEPs are calling for intensified EU action tackling gender-based violence as cases skyrocket against the backdrop of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Conference on the Future of Europe’s first citizens’ panels to be held in Strasbourg on 19 June
11 May
Conference on the Future of Europe’s first citizens’ panels to be held in Strasbourg on 19 June
The citizens’ panels will be an opportunity for the public to have their say on future EU reforms.
EU Member states accused of having too close ties with Moscow
11 May
EU Member states accused of having too close ties with Moscow
Exiled former Yukos boss Mikhail Khodorkovsky says Kremlin has infiltrated top echelons of European governments and ‘probably' has a source close to Angela Merkel.
EU leaders face demands to implement European Pillar of Social Rights when they meet in Porto for a ‘social summit’
07 May
EU leaders face demands to implement European Pillar of Social Rights when they meet in Porto for a ‘social summit’
At the two day meeting they will be asked to commit to quantitative targets in three areas: employment, skills and poverty.
Fresh efforts to salvage this weekend’s Conference on the Future of Europe launch
07 May
Fresh efforts to salvage this weekend’s Conference on the Future of Europe launch
Chance of Sunday’s launch going ahead believed to be ‘no more than 50:50’.
Students struggling to cope with flood of information from internet and digital services
06 May
Students struggling to cope with flood of information from internet and digital services
A new report found that only half of European students are taught to recognise if online information is biased, and less than one in 10 can successfully distinguish fact from opinions.
CoFoE mired in disagreement; given fifty-fifty chance of starting as planned
06 May
CoFoE mired in disagreement; given fifty-fifty chance of starting as planned
Senior figures involved in organising the Conference on the Future of Europe met on Wednesday in a bid to resolve outstanding issues in order to allow Sunday’s much-heralded launch to take place.
MEPs and NGOs give mixed response to Commission’s new Industrial Strategy
06 May
MEPs and NGOs give mixed response to Commission’s new Industrial Strategy
The wide-ranging plan, already postponed twice, is a flagship EU policy which aims to give Europe’s ailing economies a much-needed post-pandemic boost.
MEPs pay tribute to Pablo Iglesias in wake of decision to quit politics
05 May
MEPs pay tribute to Pablo Iglesias in wake of decision to quit politics
The former Spanish deputy announced his retirement from domestic politics following his party’s failure in the regional elections in Spain.
MEPs see upcoming Biden visit to Europe as chance to reinvigorate transatlantic relations
05 May
MEPs see upcoming Biden visit to Europe as chance to reinvigorate transatlantic relations
US President Joe Biden will embark on his first overseas trip in office in June with the aim of demonstrating his administration’s commitment to the transatlantic alliance and reengagement with key allies.
European Commission recommends easing restrictions on non-essential overseas travel
04 May
European Commission recommends easing restrictions on non-essential overseas travel
The move reflects a major improvement in the rollout of the EU vaccination programme and falling Coronavirus infection rates.
Socialist leader urges upcoming CoFoE to take debate outside Brussels bubble
04 May
Socialist leader urges upcoming CoFoE to take debate outside Brussels bubble
Iratxe García Pérez said the Conference on the Future of Europe will only make progress if it includes those people who are often excluded from the public debate due to their age, gender or ethnicity.
EU condemns Moscow’s travel bans on senior policymakers
04 May
EU condemns Moscow’s travel bans on senior policymakers
European Parliament president David Sassoli and Commission Vice President Vera Jourova barred from entering Russia.
EU marks World Press Freedom Day
04 May
EU marks World Press Freedom Day
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell calls Press freedom a fundamental EU value.
Coming months will be ‘vital to existence’ of Europe’s arts and culture industry, says industry alliance
30 Apr
Coming months will be ‘vital to existence’ of Europe’s arts and culture industry, says industry alliance
Warning comes in letter to European Commission from organisations representing culture sector, including organisers of large-scale live events.
MEPs raise concern over EU committee’s findings on electronic cigarettes
30 Apr
MEPs raise concern over EU committee’s findings on electronic cigarettes
So-called SCHEER Committee was asked to focus on health impacts of e-cigarettes.
ALDE President Hans van Baalen dies Partner Content
30 Apr
ALDE President Hans van Baalen dies
Warm tributes have been made to the former prominent MEP who has died at 60 after a short illness.
MEPs call for killers of Daphne Caruana Galizia to be brought to justice
29 Apr
MEPs call for killers of Daphne Caruana Galizia to be brought to justice
In a resolution, deputies also hailed recent improvements to the rule of law in Malta.
MEPs rally to support leading Spanish politicians in the wake of death threats
29 Apr
MEPs rally to support leading Spanish politicians in the wake of death threats
Several senior political figures in Spain have been targeted in recent days, including former MEP Pablo Iglesias, along with María Gámez, Reyes Maroto and Fernando Grande-Marlaska.
EESC demands ‘full say’ in upcoming Conference on Future of Europe
29 Apr
EESC demands ‘full say’ in upcoming Conference on Future of Europe
The body representing civil society in Europe says it wants to be in the “driving seat” of the Conference that starts on 9 May and will last a year.
The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification is redefining the responsible supply chain Partner Content
29 Apr
The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification is redefining the responsible supply chain
The Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification is redefining the responsible supply chain from producer to consumer, writes Robert Hii.