European Union

The vice-president of the European People's Party (EPP), Siegfried Muresan MEP, has urged the EU Commission to abolish all tariffs for protective and medical supplies, in a letter to president Ursula von der Leyen. "Abolishing tariffs is a concrete step the EU can take to help the citizens. The European Commission must not hesitate in taking any action possible to fight COVID-19," the letter reads.

The European Union sealed off its borders Wednesday (18 March) to try to put the brakes on the ferocious spread of the coronavirus pandemic, as the number of deaths on the continent soared past the toll in Asia.

Russian media have deployed a "significant disinformation campaign" against the West to worsen the impact of the coronavirus, generate panic and sow distrust, according to a European Union document seen by Reuters.

An international community of hackers have embarked on a project to find innovative solutions to the everyday challenges brought on by the Coronavirus outbreak.

Spanish farmers are concerned about the coronavirus crisis, as the Iberian country is the second most affected EU member by the epidemics. Not only are they concerned by health issues, but they fear a huge impact on their already weakened...

Britain's biggest supermarkets, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda, imposed limits on purchases of pasta, toilet roll and long life milk on Wednesday (18 March) after alarmed shoppers stripped shelves bare to hoard for possible isolation in the coronavirus outbreak.

A well-known Bulgarian investigative journalist was assaulted by masked men late Tuesday outside his home on a central Sofia boulevard, sparking angry reactions from journalist organisations.

The European Union runs on meetings -- endless gatherings to take decisions and try to build consensus among 27 diverse member states.

The EU Commission says that approximately 80,000 EU citizens are outside the bloc and want to return to Europe, but the number could increase. "The number we are working with now, an aggregated number from member states, is approximately, 80,000 people outside the EU," a commission spokesman said. EU citizens wishing to return to Europe need to contact their national embassies or if there is none, another EU embassy.

The Trump administration enacted its planned duty rate increase for aircraft imported from the EU on Wednesday (18 March), amid the continuing spread of COVID-19 and fears of a subsequent recession. These measures will increase the rate from 10 to 15%, particularly impacting Airbus.

The Croatian Chamber of Agriculture (HPC) adopted a proposal for measures to help preserve jobs and liquidity during the coronavirus pandemics, after appeals to the Ministry of Agriculture. Proposals include obliging retail chains to buy domestic food products, prohibiting the...

The total confirmed cases of coronavirus surged through 200,000 on Wednesday - with many countries yet to report their figures for Wednesday. The death toll keeps increasing worldwide, while governments adopt stricter measures. Italy is the most affected country in the European Union with over 31,500 cases, followed by Spain with over 13,700 cases across the country, Germany with about 10,000 cases and France with over 7,700 cases.

In connection with the closure of borders, agriculture unionists are demanding the government to allow Ukrainians to remain in Poland. The Agricultural Organization (OPZZ Rolników i Organizacji Rolniczych) appealed to Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki to enable employees from Ukraine in...

The college of commissioners held their regular weekly meeting online for the first time this Wednesday, a commission spokesman said. The 27-member college meets each Wednesday in the commission's Berlaymont building. "Its a way to allow the college to operate, while minimising social contact between commissioners," Eric Mamer added. This week vice-president Frans Timmermans went into isolation after having come into contact with an infected French minister.

To cushion the economic impact of the coronavirus, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire has announced a series of measures to support businesses, including "nationalisation". EURACTIV France reports.

While the corona pandemic is rapidly spreading in Europe and the US, the Chinese leadership appears to have the virus under control in the country thanks to drastic measures. China's economy has suffered substantial losses but the country is now presenting itself as an adviser and even donating medical equipment to Europe. Commentators examine the long-term political ramifications.