All EU-related News in English in a list. Read News from the European Union in French, German & Hungarian too.

You are here

European Union

EU diplomats running US election scenarios

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:50
No clear winner emerged in the US presidential election as of Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Europe) as incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic contender Joe Biden each secured several important states in early results. At the same time, and...
Categories: European Union

Spain reports massive losses in tourism over COVID-19

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:32
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about French ministers urging the population not to buy products from e-commerce giants, Spain's tourism industry recording a €56 billion loss in 2020, and so much more.
Categories: European Union

Citizens’ enquiries on the rule of law in Spain

© Adobe Stock

Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament (or to the institution’s public portal) expressing their views on current issues and/or requesting action from the Parliament. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) looks into these issues and replies to the messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.

The President of the European Parliament has recently received a large number of messages on the current situation of the rule of law in Spain. Citizens first began to write to the President on this subject in October 2020 calling on the Parliament to intervene in favour of the rule of law in Spain, which the Spanish government is allegedly not respecting. With regard to the rule of law in the European Union, the European Parliament has called for an EU mechanism to protect and strengthen democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. In October 2020, the European Parliament warned that the Union is facing an unprecedented and escalating crisis of its founding values.

Please find below the main points of the reply sent to citizens who took the time to write to the President of the European Parliament on this matter (in English and in Spanish).

Main points made in the reply in English

With regard to the rule of law, we would like to inform you that on 7 October 2020, the European Parliament adopted, by 521 votes in favour, 152 against and 21 abstentions, a resolution proposing the creation of an EU mechanism to protect and strengthen democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.

The European Parliament ’emphasises the urgent need for the Union to develop a robust, comprehensive and positive agenda for effectively protecting and reinforcing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights for all its citizens; insists that the Union must remain a champion of freedom and justice in Europe and the world; warns that the Union is facing an unprecedented and escalating crisis of its founding values, which threatens its long-term survival as a democratic peace project’.

The European Commission published the 2020 Rule of Law Report on 30 September 2020. The report includes a chapter on Spain.

Regarding the allocation of EU funds, the European Parliament ‘reiterates its call to ensure that systematic violations of the values referred to in

Finally, we take this opportunity to inform you that the European Commission is the institution responsible for ensuring the application of EU law in the Member States, managing European policies and allocating EU funds.

Main points made in the reply in Spanish

Con respecto al Estado de Derecho, le informamos de que el Parlamento Europeo ha aprobado el 7 de octubre de 2020, por 521 votos a favor, 152 en contra y 21 abstenciones, una resolución en la que plantea la creación de un mecanismo de la Unión que permita proteger y reforzar la democracia, el Estado de derecho y los derechos fundamentales.

El Parlamento europeo “hace hincapié en la necesidad urgente de que la Unión desarrolle una agenda sólida y positiva para proteger y reforzar la democracia, el Estado de Derecho y los derechos fundamentales de todos sus ciudadanos; insiste en que la Unión debe seguir siendo una defensora de la libertad y la justicia en Europa y en el mundo; advierte que la Unión se enfrenta a una crisis sin precedentes y creciente de sus valores fundacionales que amenaza su supervivencia a largo plazo como proyecto de paz democrático”.

La Comisión Europea ha publicado el 30 de septiembre de 2020 el Informe sobre el Estado de Derecho 2020. El informe incluye un capítulo sobre España.

Con respecto a la asignación de fundos, el Parlamento Europeo “reitera su petición de que se garantice la incompatibilidad de las violaciones sistemáticas de los valores a que se refiere el artículo 2 del TUE con la financiación de la Unión” blindando así el presupuesto de la Unión cuando un Estado miembro no respeta el Estado de derecho de forma sistemática.

Por último, permítanos hacerle saber que la Comisión Europea es la institución encargada de garantizar la aplicación del Derecho de la Unión Europea en los países de la UE, gestionar las políticas europeas y asignar los fondos de la Unión Europea.

 

Categories: European Union

Russia ratifies free trade agreement between EAEU, Serbia

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:27
The upper house of the Russian parliament ratified on Tuesday a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Serbia. The agreement, which is in accordance with WTO standards, will take effect 60 days after the parliament of...
Categories: European Union

Omissions in money laundering prevention will not be tolerated

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:24
Effective mechanisms must be put in place in the Croatian banking system to prevent money laundering, and any omissions in that regard will not be tolerated, Croatian National Bank (HNB) Governor Boris Vujčić told a press conference on Tuesday. This...
Categories: European Union

Bulgaria not ready to say ‘yes’ to North Macedonia

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:22
Bulgaria still intends to block the start of the EU-Macedonia membership talks because of the “non-recognition of the historical truth” by the authorities in Skopje. However, there has been some progress in the negotiations. “We are not there yet to...
Categories: European Union

Czech commitment to join the Eurozone ‘disputable’

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:19
While the Czech National Bank and the Czech government consider the eurozone to be “unstable” despite being economically possible, public support for the country to join the eurozone remains low according to the Czech National Bank. “The situation in the...
Categories: European Union

Poland’s agriculture ministry pledges help to tradesmen

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:17
Sellers of flowers and candles suffered heavy losses as a result of the government’s decision to shut down all cemeteries for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. The ministry will pay 20 zlotys (€4.4) for a pot and 3 zlotys...
Categories: European Union

Record €56 billion loss for Spanish tourism

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:13
The number of tourists traveling to Spain in September only just surpassed the 1 million-mark, marking a 87.1% drop compared to the same period last year. Tourist spending therefore did not even reach €1 billion that month, meaning it dropped...
Categories: European Union

No clear winner in US presidential vote as race zooms in on swing states

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:08
No clear winner emerged in the US presidential election as of Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Europe) as incumbent President Donald Trump and Democratic contender Joe Biden each secured several important states in early results.
Categories: European Union

Italy adopts ‘light lockdown’ similar to German model

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:04
The new measures due to be enforced with the new decree are modelled after the German ‘light lockdown’ measures, said Health undersecretary Sandra Zampa. “We don’t want to paralyse the whole country, but it is difficult to enforce tailored measures...
Categories: European Union

Former Greek Commissioner runs for OECD

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 08:03
Former EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou has announced her candidacy for Secretary-General of the OECD.   “Anna Diamantopoulou has undeniable multifaceted scientific and public service credentials. Drawing from her global experience in such areas as Education, Employment, New Technologies and the...
Categories: European Union

Finnish tax administration reveals highest earners, again.

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 07:58
Finland’s tax administration published on Tuesday its annual list of people that earned more than €100,000 last year, taking into account both earned and capital income. The listing suggests that a political career may lead to fame but not to...
Categories: European Union

Ross warning on EU-US data transfers

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 07:56
“Severe economic consequences” could be in store for the future of digital trade between Europe and the US, should the two parties not be able to find a way forward in building a functioning transatlantic data transfer accord, US secretary...
Categories: European Union

Vienna terror attack leads to 14 arrests as manhunt continues

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 07:55
After gunmen opened fire across six locations in central Vienna, police have so far arrested 14 suspects, all peers of one of the shooters who died during the incident. However, the possibility of a second attacker on the run cannot...
Categories: European Union

French government advises against buying from e-commerce giants

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 07:54
French Prime Minister Jean Castex, who’s government ordered the closure of small non-food stores as the country entered a second lockdown last week, told people to “delay” their Christmas shopping rather than order products online via major foreign websites. Economy...
Categories: European Union

Merz clearly favoured among Christian Democrat youth

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 07:54
The CDU’s former parliamentary leader Friedrich Merz is doing well among young conservative voters in the race for party leadership and is far ahead of his two competitors, North Rhine-Westphalian leader Armin Laschet and MP Norbert Röttgen, according to a...
Categories: European Union

Global investor group urges United States to rejoin Paris climate accord

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 07:45
A group representing European and US investors urged the United States to quickly rejoin a global accord to tackle climate change on Wednesday, as a decision by President Donald Trump to leave the pact came into effect.
Categories: European Union

Words into action: all hands on deck to make Renovation Wave a reality

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 07:30
Member states need to roll up their sleeves and start working on implementing national and local renovation waves across Europe, writes Oliver Rapf.
Categories: European Union

EU to hold another video summit on pandemic

Euractiv.com - Wed, 11/04/2020 - 07:26
EU leaders will hold a new video summit on 19 November to discuss responses to the coronavirus pandemic impacting their citizens' health and national economies, the European Council said Tuesday (3 November).
Categories: European Union

Pages

THIS IS THE NEW BETA VERSION OF EUROPA VARIETAS NEWS CENTER - under construction
the old site is here

Copy & Drop - Can`t find your favourite site? Send us the RSS or URL to the following address: info(@)europavarietas(dot)org.