European Union

One of the consequences of the development processes in the EU is the growing disparity in cities and urban areas. In Poland, EU projects utilising financial instruments aim to narrow disparities but experts fear that there is still little appetite to use repayable assistance when grants are available.

European Parliament lawmakers have set a Sunday (20 December) deadline for a post-Brexit trade deal to be completed in order for them to debate and vote on it before the UK's transition period ends on 31 December.

The pandemic is making a reboot of the Arab uprisings more likely. Europe should be prepared, argues Nikki Ikani.

The European Union has just unveiled draft legislation that intends to tame so-called “gatekeeper” firms (commonly referred to as Big Tech). If passed into law, this Digital Markets Act (“DMA”) would fundamentally alter the way these platforms conduct business in Europe.

In the context of the exponential growth of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the President of the European Parliament has announced a number of measures to contain the spread of epidemic and to safeguard Parliament's core activities.

The current precautionary measures adopted by the European Parliament to contain the spread of COVID-19 do not affect work on legislative priorities. Core activities are reduced, but maintained to ensure that the institution's legislative, budgetary, scrutiny functions are maintained.

The meetings will be with remote participation for Members (being able to view and listen to proceedings, ask for the floor and intervene in the meeting). Other participants are invited to follow the meeting through webstreaming.

Following these decisions, the next meeting of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) will take place on 27 and 28 January 2021 (online).

New EP calendar 2020
SEDE meetings' calendar 2020
SEDE meetings' calendar 2021
Press release: MEPs call for unity in Common Security and Defence Policy - 4 December 2020
Press release: MEPS to examine prospects of the EU space defence sector - 27 November 2020
Common Security and Defence Policy: Disinformation targeting EU missions and operations - 16 November 2020
Press release: Security and Defence Subcommittee MEPs will discuss continuing threat from Daesh - 27 October 2020
Press release: MEPs reiterate their support for Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons - 21 October 2020
Press release: - PESCO: MEPs call Member States to deepen defence cooperation at EU level - 21 October 2020
Press release: Implementation of the CSDP: MEPs to discuss the annual draft report 2019 - 15 October 2020
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

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.