European Union

EU environment ministers expressed anger at the last-minute backtracking by some EU countries on the EU nature restoration law and questioned the Belgian commitment to get the important file across the finish line

The US abstained and all EU states on the UN Security Council backed a call for an "immediate ceasefire" in Gaza, as Europe prepares to also blacklist extremist Israeli settlers.

The EU will have to step up its efforts to tackle looming demographic challenges over the next five years. If not, the bloc faces "sleepwalking into dark scenarios", warns EU commission vice-president Dubravka Šuica.

Europe has warned Russia not to use the weekend's terror attacks in Moscow as a pretext to escalate its war in Ukraine and crackdown on internal dissent.

Balancing its support for the Palestinian cause with its national interests remains a difficult task for Egypt

Facing a predicted shift to the right after the EU elections, anti-discrimination organisations are calling on the bloc's institutions to ensure that equality, anti-racism and fundamental rights are at the top of the EU's agenda in the next mandate.

This week, expect no more than talks on environment, agriculture and fisheries, including discussions between the Polish and Ukrainian governments over angry protests by Polish farmers objecting to cheap grain imports from Ukraine.

The EU Commission is officially sidelining the EU Parliament's scrutiny role on €1bn of loans being sent to Egypt.

EU delays Nature Restoration Law vote after a Sweden, the Netherlands and Hungary retracted their support.

An EU-UK treaty on defence and security policy is back on the agenda. What it might look like is less clear.

Cash-strapped EU governments reiterate their call for a Capital Market Union, with new discussions planned for April, but a compromise remains uncertain.

External parliamentary activities

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

France and China have allegedly put pressure on Ukraine to take down its online name-and-shame list of foreign companies still doing business in Russia.

The Danish prime minister understands the importance of cooperation in the face of overwhelming challenges.

The ins and outs and ups and downs of the transatlantic relationship: before, during, after, and — possibly — again with Donald J. Trump. Obama scolds NATO-Europe.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

EU leaders have agreed to explore "all options" for mobilising funding to boost Ukraine's military and Europe's defence industry during their summit in Brussels.

EU leaders agreed at their summit in Brussels to call for an "immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire" in the Israel-Gaza war — their first common statement on the situation in the Middle East since October.

Member states gave the political green light for the opening of accession talks with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but noted the need for further progress.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP