European Union

EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides said on Monday that AstraZeneca's explanations over its decision to delay Covid-19 vaccines supplies to the EU have not been "satisfactory" so far. "We want clarity on transactions and full transparency concerning the export of vaccines from the EU," she said, adding that future manufacturers of vaccines will have to provide early notification whenever they want to export vaccines to third countries.

The EU’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, insisted on Monday (25 January) that the EU and UK would resolve a diplomatic row over the status of the bloc’s ambassador to London, though he warned that the UK’s intransigence was “not a friendly signal”.

Moderna has confirmed its Covid-19 vaccine is expected to be protective against the new South African and British strains of the virus, Reuters reports. In a statement, Moderna said on Monday "its Covid-19 vaccine produced virus-neutralising antibodies in laboratory tests against new coronavirus variants found in the UK and South Africa" and that the "vaccine is expected to be protective against emerging strains detected to date."

Finnish foreign minister Pekka Haavisto will travel to Ethiopia in February as an EU "envoy" to try to broker peace in a civil war, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said Monday. His trip comes amid "credible reports" of "extrajudicial executions of civilians" and looting of hospitals, including by forces from neighbouring Eritrea, Human Rights Watch, an NGO, said the same day, while calling for a UN-led inquiry.

EU ambassadors on Monday urged the global phase-out of coal in energy production, discouraging further investment into fossil-fuel-based infrastructure in third countries "unless they are fully consistent with an ambitious climate neutrality pathway". The European Council also called on all nations to enhance their climate ambitions for the next decade, as part of their commitments under the Paris Agreement and ahead of the next UN climate summit in November.

The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell is going to Moscow in February, even though its opposition star Alexei Navalny will most likely be in prison at the time.

European Democracy Consulting study said continued low numbers, or "even just a feeling of lasting under-representation", will lead to frustration and impact EU governance.

Negotiations on the European Commission's asylum and migration pact among EU states continues. But a rift is widening on the eight-month deadline for capitals to sponsor returns of failed asylum seekers.

The European Commission has proposed additional measures to limit non-essential travel within and to the European Union - amid fears over more transmissible mutations triggering a new surge in cases across the bloc.

Ultimately, the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, only unveiled in September, risks reinforcing bottlenecks and misery at the borders, should be thoroughly amended before final agreement.

Kaja Kallas of the Reform party (Renew Europe) became Estonia's first female prime minister on Monday (25 January) after parliament approved her nomination following predecessor Jüri Ratas' resignation over an inquiry into a property development.

Portugal's finance minister said on Monday (25 January) that the stimulus to the European economy must be maintained until the COVID-19 pandemic “loses momentum”.

The availability of good data is seen as one of the main challenges to implement the EU taxonomy on sustainable finance, according to a test conducted by banks published on Monday (25 January).

The Council today adopted conclusions on "Climate and Energy Diplomacy - Delivering on the external dimension of the European Green Deal".

Opening remarks by Paschal Donohoe at the European Parliament's ECON Committee, 25 January 2021.

The Council approved conclusions launching a pilot case in the Gulf of Guinea as part of the EU Coordinated Maritime Presences concept.

The Council adopted conclusions on Venezuela, regarding the outcome of the legislative elections on 6 December 2020 and EU policy towards Venezuela going forward.

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel 25-31 January 2021

Rail passengers in the EU, in particular those with reduced mobility, will have stronger rights, and it will become easier to transport bicycles on trains.

A virtual ceremony, including speeches by European Parliament President David Sassoli and guests, will be held on Wednesday 27 January.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP