European Union

The Council placed 7 additional individuals under restrictive measures for serious human rights violations in Myanmar/Burma.

The Council extended the mandate of the EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia until 31 March 2019.

The EU's flagship programme for nature and biodiversity conservation as well as climate action is set to continue beyond 2020.

The Council has agreed on a general approach to set CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

A joint press statement was issued after the 8th meeting of the Association Council between the EU and Egypt.

The EU is establishing its future space policy programme for the years 2021-2027. EU ambassadors meeting in Coreper on 19 December agreed on the Council's position on the draft regulation on an EU space programme. This position enables negotiations to begin with the European Parliament.

Creative Europe: Council agrees its position for 2021-2027

More accessible products and services for EU citizens: Presidency reaches provisional agreement with the European Parliament

The .eu governance rules are being revised, and today EU ambassadors endorsed the provisional deal on this reform.

The agreed Cybersecurity Act was approved by member states, including EU-wide cybersecurity certification and a permanent EU Agency for Cybersecurity.

The EU is combating the dumping into the sea of rubbish from ships by providing incentives for ships to discharge their waste in ports.

The EU is taking measures to prevent the illegal trafficking of cultural goods. EU ambassadors meeting in Coreper today endorsed a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a draft regulation which will prevent the import and storage in the EU of cultural goods illegally exported from a non-EU country.

The presidency reached an informal deal on a regulation which streamlines environmental reporting obligations and reduces administrative costs.

The Council confirmed today an agreement reached with the Parliament on the directive on insolvency, restructuring and second chance.

Provisional political agreement on new rules against unfair trading practices in the agri-food chain.

Holiday recess

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

Holiday recess

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

The EU has again approved the introduction of significantly tougher limits for CO2 emissions by 2030. The emissions levels of new cars are to be 37.5 percent lower in 2030 compared to 2021. The car industry has criticised the new rules. Commentators see the manufacturers' complaints about the move as the usual lobbying, but also call for more financial incentives for eco-friendly vehicles.