European Union

Remarks by Paschal Donohoe following the Eurogroup video conference of 18 January 2021 on imbalances in the euro area, Recovery and Resilience Plans and relations with the US in the monetary and financial area.

European Council President Charles Michel invited the members of the European Council to their video conference on the fight against COVID-19 on 21 January 2021.

The Council adopted a decision establishing a set of common features that end-user certificates for the export of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition will have to respect.

The EU issued a declaration condemning the detention of the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny upon his return to Moscow on 17 January and calling for his immediate release.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

A press conference held following the video conference of the Eurogroup, 18 January 2021.

President Sassoli called on Russian authorities to release Alexei Navalny immediately, at the opening of the session.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

President Sassoli called on Russian authorities to release Alexei Navalny immediately, at the opening of the session.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

A fire broke out at BOZAR, the well-known centre for the arts in Brussels, at around 4.15PM local time on Monday. The blaze was believed to be only in the roof, not inside the building, the Brussels fire department told Bruzz, a local media outlet. The origin of the fire was not yet established, but likely to have started in one of the building's technical rooms.

United Group, a leading multi-play telecoms and media provider in South-East Europe, has bought a large chunk of the Bulgarian media, as its latest acquisition was cleared by the country’s anti-cartel body on Monday (18 January). 

As soon as the EU has a new set of leaders, it stages its traditional extravaganza in the form of a big conference to discuss the ‘Future of Europe’. Every 10 years, there is a new one. Contrary to its...

Europe's shift from fossil fuel-based electricity to renewable sources has cut down on greenhouse gas emissions while tackling environmental problems, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said on Monday (18 January).

The Green Deal is a vital opportunity - the only route available - which should also be applied in the health and therapy sector. It is a vision that Aboca has been pursuing ever since it was founded.

Written by Ivana Katsarova,

© Preeyanuch / Adobe Stock

Nearly a year after its initial outbreak, the deadly strain of the coronavirus, Covid-19, is still raging across the world and the sports ecosystem has not been spared. Whilst countries’ responses have varied widely, the global response prompted the almost total shutdown of competitions at all levels, including multiple postponements of mega sports events such as the Olympic Games and the European Football Championship. Estimates show that nearly a million sports-related jobs have been impacted in the EU, not only for sports professionals but also for those in related retail and sporting services such as travel, tourism, infrastructure, transportation, catering and media broadcasting, to name but a few. Additionally, Covid-related measures are estimated to have caused the loss of some €50 million in GDP across the EU-27.

The results of a 2020 survey among European national Olympic committees show that over 93 % have had to significantly review their work-related practices, and over two thirds (67 %) reported their elite athletes were unable to use training facilities. While larger clubs in major sports are likely to have the financial resources to cope with a temporary loss of income, the same is not true for grassroots sports facilities that rely on self-employed coaches and volunteers and face a greater risk of shutting down.

Even though its role in the area of sport is limited to ‘soft’ policy instruments, the EU has responded promptly to limit the spread of the virus and help EU countries to withstand its social and economic impact. In addition to the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII) and the CRII+, both approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU in record time, the European Commission has set up a temporary framework allowing EU countries to derogate from State aid rules, and proposed a European instrument for temporary support (SURE) to help protect jobs and workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

To keep their players and fans engaged, traditional sports have had to adapt their models by blurring the lines between traditional sports and Esports. However, research reveals that Covid-19-related restrictions have only increased the appeal of outdoor activities and made initiatives such as the European Week of Sport more necessary than ever.

Read the complete briefing on ‘How coronavirus infected sport‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Monday, 18 January

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Monday, 18 January

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

North Rhine-Westphalia's state premier Armin Laschet has been elected as the new leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after winning a runoff against Friedrich Merz, who is seen as far more conservative, in the party's digital convention on Saturday. Commentators examine what the election means for Europe and how the CDU voter base is reacting to it.