Photo by Matthew Smith on Unsplash The Swedish Forest Industries Federation (SFIF) has welcomed the EU Parliament’s approval of the proposed Nature Restoration Law. SFIF says this incorporated several important improvements, including deletion the non-deterioration requirement in particular. The Federation also welcomes the vote to approve the proposed draft of the law. This “includes substantial amendments to minimise…
If you find yourself in London this month you will find a “bit of Belgium” in the UK capital. This is because thee renowned Belgian chocolatier Pierre Marcolini is showcasing his craftmanship at the ‘Brussels Boutique’ pop-up store which has just opened in the heart of London’s West End (a stone’s throw away from Piccadilly Circus”. It…
Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash Barend Leyts, spokesman of the President of the European Council, is to join the cabinet of the Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo where he will take on the role of Director of Communications. Leyts and the President of the European Council, currently Charles Michel, have worked 8 years together. The…
Photo by Latrach Med Jamil on Unsplash Some MEPs have criticised a European Parliament recommendation adopted this week in Strasbourg on the EU’s relations with the Palestinian Authority. It received strong criticism from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group. After the vote, ECR Shadow Rapporteur Charlie Weimers said, “Instead of focusing on the EU’s relations with the Palestinian…
Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash The EU Commission has been urged to present a new strategy for older persons before the end of its current mandate The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called on the European Commission and the Member States to develop a new European Strategy for Older Persons in a plenary debate with Commission Vice…
Photo by Elisa Schmidt on Unsplash Morocco will decide on the future of cooperation with the European Union (EU) in the field of fisheries in the light of the government’s own assessments and in consultation with European partners, said, on Wednesday in Rabat, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita. “The Morocco-EU fisheries Agreement…
Photo by Ryan Jacobson on Unsplash The EESC has decided to start a pilot project to implement the EU Youth Test in its opinions and to set up a new Youth Group, thus delivering on important priorities of its president’s political manifesto. On Wednesday, EESC President Olivier Röpke said: “I have made it my political priority to open the doors of…
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Allowing Ukraine to join Nato could end the bitter war with Russia, according to a rights expert. Oleksandra Matviichuk, a human rights lawyer and Nobel Prize winner, was speaking amid the current debate about Ukraine’s possible Nato membership. The issue was discussed this week at a key Nato summit in Lithuania. Matviichuk, heads the non-profit organisation…
Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash Last year the UK National Health Service (NHS) booked some 122 million patient appointments, with outpatients making up 80% of the total. With e-mail and SMS messaging apparently regarded as unproven technologies, patients were generally notified by letter costing over £112 million – despite a pledge by Jeremy Hunt as Health Secretary…
Photo by Amber Kipp on Unsplash MEPs have voted to drop proposed restrictions on pollution from factory farms. Campaigners says this “sabotages” the European Commission’s efforts to step up environmental and climate action. They also claim the vote follows “pressure by the big agribusiness lobby.” A statement by Compassion in World Farming EU said, “Parliamentarians decided to give all…
