In a special report published yesterday, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) calls for new impetus to boost the roll-out of 5G, the new global wireless standard for mobile networks, in the EU. Member States have experienced considerable delays in implementing their 5G networks, which is jeopardising the achievement of the EU’s objectives in terms…
The European Commission has disbursed €271 million to Finland in pre-financing, equivalent to 13% of the country’s financial allocation under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The pre-financing payment will help kick-start the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Finland’s recovery and resilience plan. The Commission will authorise further disbursements based…
The EU is requesting consultations with Russia at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning export restrictions placed by Russia on wood products. The export restrictions consist of significantly increased export duties on certain wood products and a drastic reduction in the number of border crossing points through which exports of wood products can take place….
Disbursement of EU funds, including the Recovery Fund, must be tied to respect for the rule of law in all Member States. Systematic deficiencies in the rule of law always undermine the implementation of EU-funded programmes, and the absence of a rapid and comprehensive EU response to this will jeopardise the EU’s credibility, warns the…
In the letter, S&D vice-president and shadow rapporteur in the environment committee, Simona Bonafè, and S&D shadow rapporteur in the economic affairs committee, Paul Tang, expressed their opposition to the labelling of gas and nuclear-based energy production as taxonomy compliant. While recognising the role played by gas and nuclear to meet the energy needs nowadays towards the transition to a…
“Europe – The Fates at Work”, a painting by the late Heidelberg painter Wassili Lepanto (also Dr. phil. Vasilios Loukopoulos), has been unveiled at the European Parliament. The artist had dedicated it to the European Parliament shortly before his death in 2018. The painting depicts his vision of a peaceful Europe and radiates calm and…
The European Parliament has endorsed the outcome of eighteen months of work by the committee of inquiry on the protection of animals during transport (ANIT). In particular, the plenary in Strasbourg has voted a full set of recommendations to the Council and the Commission following the investigation of alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application…
Stéphane Bonifassi writing in an article published by Swiss-based French language Gotham News has reported on the possibility of Kazakh “opposition leader” Mukhtar Ablyazov, who has been in exile in France since 2013, losing the status of a political refugee granted to him in 2020. The State Council, it is reported, has just overturned this decision on the…
Zara Rutherford, 19, landed back home today at Kortrijk-Wevelgem in Belgium to complete her round-the-world challenge. She is the youngest woman to fly solo around the world following a five-month challenge. She arrived two months later than planned as a result of adverse weather. During the trip she spent a month stuck in Nome, Alaska,…
On Thursday, Parliament adopted a resolution on violations of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong. Parliament condemned in the strongest terms the deterioration of human rights in Hong Kong, including severe restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of association and press freedom. MEPs called on the Hong Kong government to release all political prisoners and drop…
