European Union

Russian forces shelled the entire front line in the Donetsk region on Thursday (8 December), Ukrainian officials said, part of what appeared to be the Kremlin's scaled-back ambition to secure only the bulk of lands it has claimed.

The European Commission has vowed to put corruption at the heart of its agenda. But measures to tackle it are conspicuously absent in a new regulation designed to force EU companies to behave responsibly around the world, write Ketakandriana Rafitoson and Matthieu Salomon.

European governments' spending to protect households and businesses from high fossil fuel prices increases Europe's dependence on them. The European Union can step in with loans to support a major energy transition investment programme, writes William Todts.

The experience and knowledge of the countries in the Baltic Sea Region must be more prominently featured in EU foreign and security policy on the Russian Federation, write the EPP Group Heads of Nordic and Baltic Delegations.

The review of prudential regulation for the European insurance sector, Solvency 2, has exposed deep divisions in the European Parliament, writes Caroline Metz.

After months of painstaking negotiations with Moscow, it became clear to President Joe Biden's administration that it faced a grave choice - to exchange notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for US basketball star Brittney Griner.

The Council today adopted a directive and a recommendation which aim to reduce the vulnerabilities and strengthen the resilience of critical entities.

The Council adopted two recommendations on care. One recommendation encourages member states to increase participation in early childhood education and care; a second proposes actions on long-term care.

“Path to the Digital Decade”: Council adopts key policy programme for the EU’s digital transformation.

Council adopts proposed amendment to the European standardisation regulation.

This decision is a response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s practice of issuing Russian international passports to residents of the occupied regions.

The Council today decided to prolong the restrictive measures against the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a further year, until 12 December 2023.

The Council today adopted an implementing decision increasing the visa fee applied to nationals of The Gambia to 120€, seeking to improve The Gambia’s cooperation on the return and readmission of its own nationals.

From 1 January 2023, checks on persons at internal land and sea borders between Croatia and the other countries in the Schengen area will be lifted. Checks at internal air borders will be lifted from 26 March 2023.

The Council adopted guidelines for the EU to negotiate a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Tajikistan.

Member states settle their position on a proposal to lower asbestos exposure levels for workers.

The chief spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed on Thursday (8 December) that the Dutch plan for EU's farming subsidies will easily win the final seal of approval although the EU Agriculture Commissioner had cast some doubts about the "very high level of environmental risk factors" of Dutch farming.

Spokespersons for Parliament and for political groups will hold a briefing on the 12-15 December plenary session on Friday at 11.00, in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

Spokespersons for Parliament and for political groups will hold a briefing on the 12-15 December plenary session on Friday at 11.00, in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2022 - EP

Croatia will join the EU's passport-free Schengen area in January after EU home affairs ministers approved their application but again blocked applications by Bulgaria and Romania.