European Union

Speaking at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels, President Michel outlined his ideas about the recovery part of the roadmap out of the COVID19 crisis.

Drivers still face a litany of obstacles as they go about their business during the virus outbreak, including massive traffic jams and lack of access to proper rest facilities. The head of the International Road Transport Union, Umberto de Pretto calls for more care.

Environmentally-minded investor groups have commended Anglo-Dutch oil and gas major Shell for committing to cut emissions to net-zero by 2050 or even sooner.

The countries of Central and Eastern Europe do not have the huge human resources of China, but they do have plenty of advantages that must be used after the end of the pandemic, said Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev in an exclusive interview with EURACTIV Bulgaria.

Coronavirus state aid for Austrian Airlines should support efforts to cut aviation’s carbon footprint, the Alpine republic’s environment minister said on Thursday (16 April), as the government negotiates with the firm’s parent company, Lufthansa.

Germany’s auto industry association VDA on Thursday (16 April)  joined a chorus of demands from auto industry executives and politicians calling for more incentives to revive demand for low emission vehicles in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Regardless of the COVID-19 crisis, the registration and processing of asylum applications must continue and member states must comply with asylum law, the European Commission warned in a recommendation published on Thursday (16 April).

Germans are more satisfied with their government than they have been for a long time, thanks to its coronavirus response. It is making life increasingly difficult for the opposition. EURACTIV Germany reports. 

Parliament is voting on new measures mobilising €3 billion of targeted support for health care systems in EU regions that have been hit the hardest by the corona crisis.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Parliament is voting on new measures mobilising €3 billion of targeted support for health care systems in EU regions that have been hit the hardest by the corona crisis.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The socio-economic crisis brought on by the coronavirus in Spain has prompted political wranglings over a national pact for the country’s reconstruction. EURACTIV's partner EFE reports.

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Romania lifting its export ban on cereals, other grains and food products, Germany's states not agreeing with the government on when lockdown measures should be eased, and so much more.

Finland's Finance Ministry forecast the economy on Thursday (16 April) to contract by at least 5.5% in 2020, and said it could shrink by as much as 12% if restrictions related to the coronavirus were to last for six months.

Budget revenues in the first half of April were only a third of those generated this time last year, Croatian Finance Minister Zdravko Marić told parliament, announcing that the ministry expects even worse results in May and June. Marić expressed...

Belgium now has the highest death rate from COVID-19 in the European Union but officials insist it is because they have been totally transparent with the data.

Poland decided on Thursday (16 April) to ease some of its restrictions starting Monday (20 April). As a first step, the government will lift its ban on entering forests, increase the number of people in shops, and make it possible...

Ireland is to quadruple its financial contributions to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney has announced.  The move comes after US President Donald Trump announced earlier this week that his country would halt contributions to WHO...

Finland is examining ways to change the personal identity code and the management of identity guaranteed by the State with the aim of creating a national operating model to identify people in government information systems. The model would also change...

After the crisis, when there will be the need for an economic recovery policy, a government with a parliamentary majority will be urgently needed, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès (MR) told LN24. Read also: Belgium extends COVID-19 lockdown until 3 May,...

Written by Alessandro D’Alfonso,

© pogonici / Adobe Stock

The von der Leyen Commission launched the European Green Deal as the new growth strategy of the European Union (EU), with a view to promoting the transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050. Confirming the importance of financial resources for such a major objective, its investment pillar was the first initiative of the strategy to be presented.

The European Green Deal Investment Plan, also known as the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, aims to contribute to financing a sustainable transition, while supporting the regions and communities most exposed to its impact. By combining legislative and non-legislative initiatives, the plan addresses three aspects: 1) mobilising funding worth at least €1 trillion from the EU budget and other public and private sources over the next decade; 2) putting sustainability at the heart of investment decisions across all sectors; and 3) providing support to public administrations and project promoters to create a robust pipeline of sustainable projects.

The debate on the investment plan is interlinked with the ongoing negotiations on the EU’s 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which requires the European Parliament’s consent and unanimity in the Council. Parliament, which is traditionally a strong advocate of climate and environmental objectives, has called for an ambitious MFF, with resources commensurate with the goal of facilitating a just transition to a carbon-neutral economy.

Commentators have identified both positive elements and possible weaknesses in the Commission’s plan, arguing that it is a step in the right direction but would provide only part of the resources needed to meet the current climate targets for 2030. The impact of the pandemic has raised concerns that decarbonisation strategies could be derailed. However, analysts and stakeholders generally agree on their continued relevance, arguing that green investments from public and private sources must play a central role in any economic recovery plan.

Read the complete briefing on ‘European Green Deal Investment Plan: Main elements and possible impact of the coronavirus pandemic‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.