Plenary vote on EU-UK Agreement in limbo pending Brexit deal assurances
16 Apr International & Trade

Plenary vote on EU-UK Agreement in limbo pending Brexit deal assurances

Despite approval from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committees, the European Parliament has decided not to set a date for the final vote until the UK fully implements the Withdrawal Agreement.
by Martin Banks
Gunnar Beck: von der Leyen should step down over “disastrous” vaccine rollout
16 Apr Health
Gunnar Beck: von der Leyen should step down over “disastrous” vaccine rollout
Europol voices concern over rise in online child abuse during pandemic
15 Apr Justice
Europol voices concern over rise in online child abuse during pandemic
Parliament’s trade and foreign affairs committees gear up for Brexit trade deal vote
15 Apr International & Trade
Parliament’s trade and foreign affairs committees gear up for Brexit trade deal vote
Michel Barnier questions ‘level of truth, communications and clarity’ in UK about the impact of Brexit
12 Feb International & Trade
Michel Barnier questions ‘level of truth, communications and clarity’ in UK about the impact of Brexit
Former Chief Negotiator’s comments come as new report says economic blow dealt by Brexit will be four times greater in the UK than in the EU.
Movers and Shakers | 12 February 2021
12 Feb EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 12 February 2021
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
Michael Gove and Maroš Šefčovič urged to do more to help ease EU-UK trade barriers
09 Feb International & Trade
Michael Gove and Maroš Šefčovič urged to do more to help ease EU-UK trade barriers
Gove, a UK cabinet minister, and Commission Vice-President Šefčovič are currently trying to resolve trade issues with Northern Ireland but have been told they should broaden the scope of their discussions so that they also apply to the UK’s trading arrangements with the EU.
Britain’s former Europe Minister calls for probe into EU’s Coronavirus vaccine strategy
09 Feb Health
Britain’s former Europe Minister calls for probe into EU’s Coronavirus vaccine strategy
The European Commission has consistently defended the strategy but, compared with countries like the UK, Israel and the US, all Member States are far behind on their vaccination rollout.
MEPs set to demand that Borrell quits as EU foreign affairs chief after Russia trip
08 Feb International & Trade
MEPs set to demand that Borrell quits as EU foreign affairs chief after Russia trip
Some members are believed to be drafting a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, calling for Josep Borrell, a former MEP, to step down in the wake of the visit.
Proposed set-up for Conference on the Future of Europe under fire
08 Feb EU Institutions
Proposed set-up for Conference on the Future of Europe under fire
The Conference, a project that aims to reform the EU and bring it “closer” to its citizens, has been beset by misfortune since it was first mooted by the French two years ago.
Pressure mounting on EU and Member States to speed up Coronavirus vaccine rollout
08 Feb Health
Pressure mounting on EU and Member States to speed up Coronavirus vaccine rollout
The EU27 has so far collectively administered at least one dose to just over 3 percent of the population, against 59 percent in Israel, 15.7 percent in the UK and 10 percent in the US.
‘Trust’ key to future EU-UK relationship, say MEPs
05 Feb International & Trade
‘Trust’ key to future EU-UK relationship, say MEPs
Dutch MEP Kati Piri says the EU should insist that the UK affords full diplomatic privileges to the bloc’s envoy in London.
Movers and Shakers | 5 February 2021
05 Feb EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 5 February 2021
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
World Cancer Day: NGOs call for EU to stop funding red and processed meat advertising
04 Feb Health
World Cancer Day: NGOs call for EU to stop funding red and processed meat advertising
Plans to beat cancer ‘pointless’ if EU continues to promote foods that makes the problem worse, say stakeholder groups.
The European Commission’s new European Beating Cancer Plan has received a guarded welcome from MEPs
04 Feb Health
The European Commission’s new European Beating Cancer Plan has received a guarded welcome from MEPs
Ambitious health plan unveiled just ahead of World Cancer Day (4 February).
Senior MEPs criticise European Commission’s handling of EU vaccines rollout
04 Feb Health
Senior MEPs criticise European Commission’s handling of EU vaccines rollout
However, it would be a mistake to dispute that the bloc would be better off not without a common EU strategy, argues Greens/EFA Group co-leader Philippe Lamberts.
Commission says 12 million people in Europe so far vaccinated against Coronavirus
03 Feb Health
Commission says 12 million people in Europe so far vaccinated against Coronavirus
The latest figure, given to this site by the Commission late on Tuesday, covers all the 27 Member States in the EU, with an overall population of 450 million.
Von der Leyen should consider resigning over vaccine rollout ‘shambles’, says Gunnar Beck
02 Feb Health
Von der Leyen should consider resigning over vaccine rollout ‘shambles’, says Gunnar Beck
The German Identity and Democracy Group MEP’s comments come with pressure mounting on the Commission President over what is widely seen as a particularly slow response to the vaccination programme.
Commission says all pharma companies except AstraZeneca delivered correct number of vaccine doses
01 Feb Health
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 Justice
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 Energy & Climate
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 Health
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 Security & Defence
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.
Movers and Shakers | 29 January 2021
29 Jan EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 29 January 2021
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
Commission insists ‘we can and will’ obtain doses of AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine
28 Jan Health
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 Health
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 International & Trade
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 Justice
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.