14.11.2019 – The Commission presents the first results of an initiative launched a year ago to support 10 EU regions and two Member States in industrial transition.They applied to receive Commission support and expertise in achieving industrial transition and designing development strategies based on their areas of competitive strength – their so-called ‘smart specialisation‘ assets.Over [...]
6.11.2019- Today, the EU and China concluded the negotiations on a bilateral agreement to protect 100 European Geographical Indications (GI) in China and 100 Chinese GI in the EU against imitations and usurpation. This landmark agreement is expected to result in reciprocal trade benefits and demand for high-quality products on both sides. Delivering on the [...]
4.11.2019 -Today, at the initiative of the European Commission, the Wine Observatory started operating. The new platform will provide analysis and greater transparency of prices, production and trade for this important sector of European agriculture. The European Union is the world’s largest wine producer, accounting for 65% of world production. It exports to the world [...]
29.10.2019 – Learning languages will bring EU closer and help us understand each other’s cultures. Studies show the ever-growing need for translation and translators in Europe. It’s useful for language students to be prepared for this! Juvenes Translatores raises awareness of the importance of translation skills and the need to reassess translation — as a [...]
28.10.2019 – In 2018, about 3.2 million first residence permits were issued in the European Union (EU) to non-EU citizens. The number increased by 0.4% (or 13000) compared with 2017, continuing the upward trend observed in each of the three previous years. Family reasons accounted for almost 28%of all first residence permits issued in the [...]
24.10.2019 – With winter approaching and thousands of migrants and refugees in Bosnia and Herzegovina living outside of adequate facilities, the European Commission has today announced an additional €2 million in humanitarian aid. This brings EU humanitarian aid in the country to €5.8 million since 2018. Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, [...]
22.10.2019 – The Commission is today reporting on Croatia’s progress in meeting the necessary conditions to join the Schengen area. The European Commission considers that, based on the results of the Schengen evaluation process initiated in 2016, Croatia has taken the measures needed to ensure that the necessary conditions for the full application of the [...]
17.10.2019 – Michel Barnier hailed the Brexit deal agreed between Brussels and London as a “fair and reasonable result” after days of intensive negotiations. On customs, both sides agreed to a remarkable balancing act: Northern Ireland will officially be part of the U.K.’s customs territory, meaning that it applies U.K. tariffs and can participate in [...]
14.10.2019 -Despite the difficult global economic climate, European companies have continued to make good use of the opportunities created by the European Union’s trade network – the largest in the world. In 2018 this network covered 31% of Europe’s trade exchanges, a figure that is set to rise significantly (to almost 40%) as more trade [...]
10.10.2019 – In today’s regular monthly set of infringement decisions, the European Commission is initiating or continuing proceedings against Member States that have not properly fulfilled their obligations under EU law. Multi-sectoral decisions should ensure that EU law is properly applied to the benefit of citizens and businesses. In addition, the Commission is closing 120 [...]
9.10.2019 – Following the Commission Recommendation for a common European approach to the security of 5G networks, 24 EU Member States have now completed the first step and submitted national risk assessments. These assessments will feed into the next phase, a EU-wide risk assessment which will be completed by 1 October. Commissioner for the Security Union, [...]
8.10.2019 – Today, the European Commission released the second edition of its Cultural and Creative Cities Monitor, a tool designed to benchmark and boost the creative and cultural potential of European cities, which is vital to driving economic growth and social cohesion. After the success of the first edition in 2017, the 2019 release presents [...]
8.10.2019 – The Council of Ministers adopted today the directive on whistleblower protection at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg. The directive will guarantee a high level of protection for whistleblowers by establishing safe channels for reporting both within an organisation and to public authorities, setting EU-wide standards. It will also protect whistleblowers [...]
2.10.2019 – The European Union has opened negotiations on deepening trade relations with five countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe. Exports of goods from the countries concerned to the EU have increased by almost a quarter since 2012, when the current EPA entered into force, reaching EUR 2.8 billion [...]
1.10.2019 - 950 traineeships, 300 more than in the previous period started a five-month paid internship at the European Commission today. The beginnings of the internship program date back to 1960, when the institution first hosted three interns. Today, according to the number of applications and participants, the program is the largest internship scheme in [...]