EU rallies to support Lebanon after Beirut explosion
06 Aug EU Institutions

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.
by Martin Banks
Ursula von der Leyen and David Sassoli appeal to Member States to step up fight against racism
05 Aug Justice
Ursula von der Leyen and David Sassoli appeal to Member States to step up fight against racism
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
03 Aug International & Trade
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
31 Jul International & Trade
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
MEPs split on merits of a resolution on the UK’s exit from the EU
12 Jun International & Trade
MEPs split on merits of a resolution on the UK’s exit from the EU
The resolution, which has been subject to scores of amendments, will go to a vote later on Friday in two committees.
Commission recommends Schengen countries open internal borders ‘as soon as possible’
12 Jun Justice
Commission recommends Schengen countries open internal borders ‘as soon as possible’
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said that with the Coronavirus situation improving in all Member States, having internal border controls is no longer effective.
Michel Barnier ‘willing to compromise’ to break current Brexit talks impasse
11 Jun International & Trade
Michel Barnier ‘willing to compromise’ to break current Brexit talks impasse
Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Barnier insisted the EU will not strike a deal “at any price.”
UK chief Brexit negotiator says EU’s approach to fisheries ‘manifestly unbalanced’
10 Jun International & Trade
UK chief Brexit negotiator says EU’s approach to fisheries ‘manifestly unbalanced’
David Frost, speaking after the latest round of Brexit talks ended without agreement, made no attempt to hide UK frustration at the slow progress in the ongoing talks.
Josep Borrell: EU has been ‘too naïve’ in its dealings with China
10 Jun International & Trade
Josep Borrell: EU has been ‘too naïve’ in its dealings with China
The EU’s foreign policy chief was speaking in Brussels after what he called an “open and frank dialogue” with top Chinese officials on Tuesday. 
Drug dealers exploiting COVID-19 crisis by using food delivery services to deliver drugs
09 Jun Health
Drug dealers exploiting COVID-19 crisis by using food delivery services to deliver drugs
Organised gangs have been forced to “adapt” during the Coronavirus-enforced lockdown, a parliamentary committee meeting has been told.
Christine Lagarde tells Europe to brace for economic crisis of ‘unprecedented scale’
09 Jun Industry & Finance
Christine Lagarde tells Europe to brace for economic crisis of ‘unprecedented scale’
The President of the European Central Bank (ECB) was addressing a meeting of Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.
Boris Johnson told to ‘stop playing political games’ with millions of citizens
09 Jun International & Trade
Boris Johnson told to ‘stop playing political games’ with millions of citizens
The message, from Parliament’s EPP Group, comes after the fourth round of Brexit talks ended in deadlock on Friday.
Does the Farm to Fork Strategy mean business as usual for EU food and farming?
08 Jun Agriculture & Food
Does the Farm to Fork Strategy mean business as usual for EU food and farming?
The European Commission’s recently-announced Farm to Fork Strategy is much needed but falls short in many ways, explains Stanka Becheva.
European Financial and Economic Crime Centre to take on organised crime
08 Jun Industry & Finance
European Financial and Economic Crime Centre to take on organised crime
With a staff of 60 experts, the new Centre will tackle everything from fraud and corruption to money laundering and counterfeiting.
COVID-19 lockdown measures have exacerbated racial profiling and police violence, says report
08 Jun Justice
COVID-19 lockdown measures have exacerbated racial profiling and police violence, says report
The report by the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) comes after a weekend of fresh protests in countries around the world over the death of George Floyd in the United States.
Senior EU political figures condemn George Floyd killing
08 Jun Justice
Senior EU political figures condemn George Floyd killing
Four officers have now been charged in connection with the death of the 46-year-old American who died of asphyxia during his arrest by police in Minneapolis.
Michel Barnier warns UK that Brexit talks approaching ‘moment of truth’
05 Jun International & Trade
Michel Barnier warns UK that Brexit talks approaching ‘moment of truth’
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator has accused the UK of “backtracking on its commitments”, saying the two sides remain “very far” apart.
Movers and Shakers | 5 June 2020
05 Jun EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 5 June 2020
UK needs transition extension to avoid disastrous outcome
05 Jun International & Trade
UK needs transition extension to avoid disastrous outcome
German Greens MEP Terry Reintke has appealed to the UK to ask for an extension to the Brexit transition period beyond 31 December amid “special circumstances”.
Lack of meetings during lockdown leaves EU interpreters facing financial hardship
05 Jun Jobs & Social Rights
Lack of meetings during lockdown leaves EU interpreters facing financial hardship
A furious row has flared over claims that hundreds of freelance interpreters are facing financial hardship by the EU institutions because of the COVID-19 crisis.
World ‘can learn to live with’ Coronavirus if vaccine not found, says WHO official
03 Jun Health
World ‘can learn to live with’ Coronavirus if vaccine not found, says WHO official
Speaking to a parliamentary committee, senior World Health Organization official Mike Ryan said that even if a vaccine is found, it may take a long time to roll out.
Calls for Conference on Future of Europe to be launched ‘as soon as possible’
03 Jun Tech & Research
Calls for Conference on Future of Europe to be launched ‘as soon as possible’
MEPs say the delayed conference must start by September at the latest in order to bring about “effective reform” of the EU.
‘Significant number’ of victims of new forms of sexual harassment online, says survey
02 Jun Justice
‘Significant number’ of victims of new forms of sexual harassment online, says survey
The aim of the survey was to obtain data and evidence about “new forms” of sexual harassment and to assess the safety of “online workspace” for women.
Senior MEP issues warning to UK as crucial round of Brexit talks kick off
02 Jun International & Trade
Senior MEP issues warning to UK as crucial round of Brexit talks kick off
David McAllister, who chairs the European Parliament’s UK Coordination Group, cautioned that if the UK “reneges on what it signed up to” it will have to face “concrete consequences.”
European Parliament provides 200,000 meals to the needy during Coronavirus crisis
02 Jun Jobs & Social Rights
European Parliament provides 200,000 meals to the needy during Coronavirus crisis
About 98,000 meals have been distributed from Parliament’s Brussels seat with an estimated 50,000 more dinners supplied from each of its other bases in Strasbourg and Luxembourg.
Michel Barnier says EU is open to Brexit delay of up to two years
29 May International & Trade
Michel Barnier says EU is open to Brexit delay of up to two years
His message comes just ahead of key Brexit talks that resume on Monday between the two sides.
Almost two thirds of EU citizens have experienced financial difficulties during COVID-19 crisis, says poll
29 May Industry & Finance
Almost two thirds of EU citizens have experienced financial difficulties during COVID-19 crisis, says poll
The poll, commissioned by the European Parliament, found that some 58 percent of people have experienced financial difficulties in their own personal life since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak.
Commission President says Coronavirus recovery plan meets many of Frugal Four’s demands
28 May Industry & Finance
Commission President says Coronavirus recovery plan meets many of Frugal Four’s demands
The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Sweden have rejected the notion of grants and, instead, have recommended the creation of an “emergency fund” financed by loans only.