European Union

Richard Grenell, the US ambassador to Germany, said he wants to empower other conservatives in Europe, sparking calls for his resignation.

An Obama-era climate change working group has been in limbo since Trump came into office - and other areas of transatlantic energy cooperation face major uncertainty as well.

Redistribution of migrants remains the worst sticking point as EU ministers discuss the latest attempt to rewrite Europe's 'Dublin' asylum law.

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On Tuesday 5 June 2018, the Informal Meeting of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers takes place in Sofia. The main discussion topic of the meeting is the Common Agricultural Policy in the new programming period after 2020 and attracting a new generation of agricultural workers in the agricultural sector.

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European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s proposals to strengthen the euro area, noting the similarities between the Bundesrepublik's and EU executive’s ideas on structural reform and investment support.

Germany yesterday (4 June) said it had asked the new US ambassador in Berlin, outspoken Trump loyalist Richard Grenell, to clarify his reported comments on far-right website Breitbart that he wants to "empower" European conservatives.

Slovakia's member of the European Commission declared his candidacy on Monday (4 June) to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker as the EU executive's president, promising to try to ease tensions between western states and newer members from the ex-communist east.

President Vladimir Putin yesterday (4 June) downplayed suggestions Russia was seeking to disrupt the European Union's cohesion, saying it was in his country's interests for the bloc to remain "united and prosperous".

As the European Union finds itself at a crossroads and Brussels looks forward to a decisive Council summit at the end of the month, a recent report entitled “Re-energise Europe” calls on EU leaders to overcome divisions and implement reforms.

Spain's new Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said yesterday (4 June) the European Union should be a space of economic and social cohesion and that inequalities within the bloc must be reduced.

Italy's coalition between the anti-system 5-Star Movement and the fat-right Northern League will test its power today (5 June) in the first of this week's two parliamentary confidence votes in the new government.

The European Union opened an investigation on Monday into whether to extend anti-dumping duties on Chinese bicycles, after European makers said they feared an influx of Asian imports could destroy their industry.

The benefits of Artificial Intelligence are limited only by our imagination. Technology companies are listening closely to governments and civil society on issues of fairness, accountability and transparency to address concerns of bias and discrimination. Our industry stands firmly behind being part of this dialogue.

The drive to impose plain packaging on tobacco products, in the hope of discouraging current and potential smokers, has pitted the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the EU against the tobacco industry.

Reusing plastic and metal could help keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius and allow the EU to go emission free by 2050, according to new research on the burgeoning circular economy.

EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis is not pleased with the “inconsistent” proposal recently submitted by the alcohol industry on labelling and insisted that European consumers should be presented the full information of the products they purchase.

EU interior ministers meet today (5 June) to try to break a two-year deadlock over reforming asylum rules with a deadline looming and pressure from Italy’s new populist leaders. The ministers will hear Bulgaria’s new compromise proposals on how to...

The #MeToo movement saw the scale of sexual harassment and assault in Europe thrust into the spotlight. Last October, thousands of women spoke out about sexual harassment within the European Institutions, and a petition for change gathering over 120,000 signatures was delivered to European Parliament President Antonio Tajani on International Women’s Day of this year.

Written by Damiano Scordamaglia (1st edition),

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In 2007, the EU established a set of basic rights for rail passengers, which became applicable at the end of 2009. These rights provided for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility, a harmonised minimum level of protection, information and assistance. While the implementation of these rights has generally been smooth, recent reports have concluded that this is not done uniformly across the EU. Moreover, other shortcomings have prevented these rights from being used to their full potential.

On 27 September 2017, the European Commission presented a new proposal to address these shortcomings. In its work on this legislative proposal, the EU is seeking to strike a new balance between keeping rail operators competitive and providing adequate passenger protection.

Versions

• June 2018: ‘Rail passengers’ rights and obligations in the EU‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on rail passengers’ rights and obligations Committee responsible: Transport and Tourism (TRAN) COM(2017) 548
27.9.2017 Rapporteur: Bogusław Liberadzki (S&D, Poland) 2017/0237(COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

  Renaud Muselier (EPP, France)
Tomasz Piotr Poręba (ECR, Poland)
Jens Rohde (ALDE, Denmark)
Tania González Peñas (GUE/NGL, Spain)
Michael Cramer (Greens/EFA, Germany) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Vote in TRAN committee on draft report

The European Development Days has established itself as a key fixture in the world's development calendar. The EU plans to revamp its development tools and financial investment instruments in the next seven-year budget, increasing the role of the private sector.