European Union

At the informal European Council meeting on defence, the European Parliament President Metsola outlined her vision on how Europe can and must strengthen its own security and defence.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

At the informal European Council meeting on defence, the European Parliament President Metsola outlined her vision on how Europe can and must strengthen its own security and defence.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

As the association representing nickel producers in the EU and globally, the Nickel Institute welcomes the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass for the EU, published on 29th  January 2025.

The post The EU Competitiveness Compass – views from the Nickel industry appeared first on Euractiv.

Written by David Ashton.

Online commerce is a defining feature of the modern world. It opens up opportunities for consumers and businesses alike. For consumers, it can mean a wider choice of goods and services at cheaper prices. For business, it offers new ways to reach larger markets. The borderless nature of online commerce means that, today, such opportunities within the EU are also open to businesses from elsewhere, and this phenomenon has been on the rise in recent years. Many consumers are familiar now with the advantages of being able to purchase goods at low prices from all corners of the globe.

However, along with these opportunities come risks. Goods imported from outside the EU do not always conform to EU product standards or comply with EU consumer law. It can be extremely challenging for customs and other public authorities to check the increasingly large numbers of imports of often very low value.

These challenges have been identified by a wide variety of stakeholders across the EU. The issue is on the radar of various actors in the EU institutions, with the promise of action already from the new Commission, concerns expressed by Member States and attention in Parliament. The consensus seems to be that the time has come for action to be taken.

The issues are technically challenging. They sit at the centre of a web of legislation, some of which has only recently been adopted. To get to grips with the problem, policymakers and lawmakers will need to examine that legal framework systematically, and work out what gaps have to be filled, and how best to fill them. They will also need to bear in mind that similar concerns have already been raised in other jurisdictions, and some solutions proposed. The way in which these issues are addressed will put wider trading and diplomatic relations between large global actors to the test.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Problems presented by third-country e-commerce‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Czechia’s public media facing growing threats, France’s tough week, Meloni’s failed migration deal with Albania, and so much more.

The post Czechia battles to safeguard public media independence appeared first on Euractiv.

Crin Antonescu won Social Democrats’ backing for the presidential race, securing full governing coalition support.

The post Romania’s coalition parties unite behind Antonescu’s candidacy appeared first on Euractiv.

Sanctioned Russian priest entered Bulgaria at the Patriarch’s insistence.

The post Sanctioned Russian cleric visits Bulgaria at the request of the Bulgarian Patriarch appeared first on Euractiv.

Slovakia’s Christian Democrats KDH oppose Fico's controversial constitutional reform.

The post Slovak Christian Democrats oppose Fico’s controversial constitutional reform appeared first on Euractiv.

Polish PM Tusk sees no immediate threat from potential U.S. tariffs but says Poland is prepared for any scenario.

The post Tusk downplays significance of Trump’s EU tariff threats appeared first on Euractiv.

Patriots for Europe in Madrid under the 'Make Europe Great Again' banner to challenge EPP and S&D dominance in EP.

The post Can the EU Parliament’s own MAGA movement bring down EPP and S&D? appeared first on Euractiv.

Two months after Barnier’s cabinet collapse, France faces renewed turmoil as PM Bayrou faces a no-confidence vote over €50 billion in budget cuts.

The post French government future uncertain ahead of budget vote appeared first on Euractiv.

Czech public media face threats as election front runner pushes state-funded broadcasting, raising fears of political influence.

The post Czechia battles to safeguard public media independence appeared first on Euractiv.

Promises of increased spending will not solve the problem industries have been raising for months as the contracts are still lacking.

The post On defence, Europe’s talk is still cheap appeared first on Euractiv.

DeepSeek mapped, missed AI Act deadlines, and Poland makes slow progress on a DSC.

The post The week ahead in Tech: 3-9 February appeared first on Euractiv.

The judges' decisions are fuelling discontent within the government, which now faces an investigation into its recent repatriation of ICC-indicted Libyan warlord Almasri.

The post Meloni’s migration deal with Albania fails once again appeared first on Euractiv.

Lysine, a key amino acid in livestock feed, is at the heart of a trade war with China, which currently supplies 60% of European consumption.

The post EU animal feed industry calls for ‘critical raw material’ status for key protein appeared first on Euractiv.

Euractiv is silent no more.

The post Editor’s note: Europe’s silent majority appeared first on Euractiv.

France has already had as many as four prime ministers in 2024, and there's no guarantee there will be fewer this year.

The post What is up with France’s legislative brain death appeared first on Euractiv.

The platforms were presented with various scenarios based on past experience of attempted election manipulation, such as information manipulation through deepfakes to distort content.

The post Germany gives Big Tech a passing grade in elections stress test appeared first on Euractiv.

Denmark will go "all in" to rapidly scale up offshore wind, Energy Minister Lars Aagaard said on Friday.

The post Denmark bets on exports to Germany to beat offshore wind doldrum appeared first on Euractiv.