Photo by Fred Moon on Unsplash The European Commission has updated its list of “high risk” third country jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes. Two third-country jurisdictions were added to it: Nigeria and South Africa, while two other jurisdictions were taken off the list – Cambodia and Morocco. This list takes into account the changes decided at…
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash The EU admits there is “persistent uncertainty” stemming from Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. But it also says that the European economy “continues to show resilience in a challenging global context.” Lower energy prices, abating supply constraints and a strong labour market supported moderate growth in the first quarter of 2023, it…
Photo by Georgi Kyurpanov on Unsplash Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has praised outgoing EU commissioner Mariya Gabriel following her shock resignation. Gabriel, the European Commissioner for innovation and research, quit on Monday to focus on helping to form Bulgaria’s next coalition government. She had served as European Commissioner since 2017, when she replaced Kristalina Georgieva, now…
Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash The European Commission and the European Investment Bank have announced €18 billion of financing under Global Gateway, Europe’s investment strategy for partner countries. This will boost investment in Global Gateway’s priority areas – climate action, clean energy and connectivity – in Europe’s partner countries around the world. In particular, these projects will aim…
Photo by Amol Tyagi on Unsplash. A new Brussels to Berlin night train is due to start services from next month. The first service of European Sleeper is scheduled to depart on 25 May. The launch comes amid growing enthusiasm in long-distance trains across Europe, as the travelling public look for more sustainable alternatives to aviation. The service,…
Photo by Kyle Mackie on Unsplash An ambitious overhaul of EU animal welfare laws is possible, reveals the Brussels-based publication Agra Facts. A leaked preliminary analysis written by the European Commission’s own civil servants is said to include the option to ban caged farming in Europe and to minimise animal suffering on farms, including during transport and slaughter….
Photo by 五玄土 ORIENTO on Unsplash MEPs in Strasbourg have discussed the need for what they call a “coherent strategy” towards China. The call comes against the backdrop of China’s continued rise as a political and economic powerhouse on the world stage. Speaking to the plenary this week, the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stressed the need…
A former senior UK government minister has hit out at “small-minded nation first politicians” who “refuse to allow the EU to shape a common foreign policy.” The attack was made by Denis MacShane who spent eight years at the UK Foreign Office as Tony Blair’s expert on European politics. He was commenting on what some…
Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash The Commission has adopted a revision of the Erasmus+ Annual Work Programme for 2023 with a focus, it says, on learners and staff from Ukraine. The overall budget of the programme for this year has been revised upwards to a new total of €4.43 billion, the highest annual financial envelope ever reached…
Photo by aranprime on Unsplash The Commission has presented proposals to modernise driving licence rules, including the introduction of a digital driving licence valid throughout the EU, and new provisions to facilitate the enforcement of traffic rules across borders. More than 20,000 lives were lost on EU roads last year and the majority of victims were pedestrians, cyclists and users of…
