European Union

The European Commission approved on Thursday Google's controversial purchase of activity-tracker app Fitbit, putting into question new rules aimed at curbing 'Big Tech'. "We approve the proposed acquisition because the commitments will ensure that the market for wearables and the nascent digital health space will remain open and competitive," competition chief Margrethe Vestager said. Google pledged to maintain access for rival apps and device makers for 10 years.

European aerospace giant Airbus revealed more details about its hydrogen aircraft project on Thursday (17 December), which could include a propeller-driven plane "unlike anything seen on today’s runways".

The German Bundestag passed an amendment to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) on Thursday (17 December), without support from the opposition. The leftist Die Linke and Greens have called for higher green electricity production targets while the liberal FDP wants to allow "negative emission technologies." EURACTIV Germany reports.

MEPs call for binding social targets to help the EU labour market adjust to the current realities of the digital and green economy.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

MEPs call for binding social targets to help the EU labour market adjust to the current realities of the digital and green economy.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Conference of Presidents of Parliament’s political groups issued the following statement after meeting EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Conference of Presidents of Parliament’s political groups issued the following statement after meeting EU Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier on Thursday.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

On Thursday, MEPs approved a non-legislative report calling for more sustainable business conduct and addressing shortcomings in existing laws.
Committee on Legal Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

On Thursday, MEPs approved a non-legislative report calling for more sustainable business conduct and addressing shortcomings in existing laws.
Committee on Legal Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The EU Green Deal seeks to “transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from...

On Thursday, MEPs called on the Commission to act on the European Citizens’ Initiative proposals that aim to enhance cultural and linguistic diversity in the EU.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

On Thursday, MEPs called on the Commission to act on the European Citizens’ Initiative proposals that aim to enhance cultural and linguistic diversity in the EU.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Due to continuing divisions between the Agriculture and Environmental Ministries, the German government was unable to reach an agreement on the draft of a Insect Protection Act (ISG) on Wednesday (16 December). EURACTIV Germany reports.

Council President Charles Michel and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez entered self-isolation after the announcement on Thursday (17 December) that French President Emmanuel Macron had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

The enormous tradition and diversity in African agricultural products may benefit from the use of the intellectual property tool for food protection that Europeans have been held most dear.

EU countries have the right to enforce mandatory stunning on animals prior to slaughter because it does not infringe on religious rights, the bloc's highest court has ruled, drawing angry protests from the European Jewish Congress.

The arrival of US President Donald Trump in 2016 has "awakened" the EU and made it realise it was too dependent on Washington, prompting a trend of boosting Europe's autonomy, the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, told EURACTIV's media partner EFE in an interview.

AMENDMENTS 1 - 21 - Draft opinion on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2019, Section X – European External Action Service
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Nikos Androulakis

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

For the past 36 months, the Astropreneurs project has been helping Europe’s space-based start-ups turn innovative ideas into viable businesses. That work was showcased this week during two virtual events.

In the latest legal setback for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the top EU court in Luxembourg ruled that Budapest had broken Union law by restricting access to the international protection procedure for asylum applicants in transit zones and unlawfully detaining them.