Photo by Filippos Sdralias on Unsplash Wildfires continue to affect multiple European countries this summer. Wildfires fanned by strong winds raged in parts of Greece and the Balkans this week, burning forests and homes while forcing the evacuation of a resort town in Albania. The region has seen above-average temperatures and dry conditions…
Commission
EU Signs Pharma Deal to Combat Diphtheria
Photo by Bermix Studio on Unsplash The EU has announced that it is taking urgent action to combat what it calls a clear cross-border health threat. The European Commission says it wants to tackle diphtheria in a timely manner. The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has signed a joint procurement framework contract on…
Culture Moves Europe
Photo by Kazuo ota on Unsplash The European Commission is inviting applications for grant aid under an innovative culture scheme. It has launched the 3rd call for individual mobility action of the “Culture Moves Europe” mobility initiative. The project provides mobility grants to artists and cultural professionals in various fields such…
2024 Rule of Law Report
Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash The EU says systematic concerns remain about the rule of law in some countries. It goes on to warn that the situation has further deteriorated. The concerns are addressed in the recommendations of this year’s Rule of Law Report. The report covers four areas: national justice systems,…
Inauguration of President Pezeshkian of Iran
Photo by Iman soleimany zadeh on Unsplash Some MEPs are angry that the EU will be represented at the swearing in this week of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. European External Action Service political director, Enrique Mora, is due to attend the event in Tehran on Tuesday. The EEAS insists that the EU is not be represented at…
Ursula von der Leyen Re-elected President
In what some have called a “pivotal moment” for the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as the President of the European Commission. With 401 votes in favour, von der Leyen (VDL) will serve once more as the head of the EU’s executive. She was re-elected by MEPs in Strasbourg a secret ballot on…
Election of Commission President
MEPs will vote today to decide if Ursula von der Leyen serves another term as EC president. The former German defence minister has served as head of the Commission since 2019. The result of the keenly awaited vote by MEPs will be known later today. She faces competition from other candidates, including ECR Co-Chairman Nicola…
Parliament Votes for Commission President
Photo by Eduard Delputte on Unsplash The European Union this week decides on its leaders and who will steer the 27-strong bloc for the next five years. With bitter wars still waging in Ukraine and the Middle East and countless other crises, the votes on EU leaders come at a pivotal time for both the Union and wider…
Cochinillo and Twente Given PGI Status
Photo by Kiran kichu on Unsplash Two new items have been given “protected” status by the EU. This comes after the EU Commission approved the addition of Cochinillo de Segovia and Twente to the protected list of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). The first comes from Spain while Twente wine is from the Netherlands. Cochinillo de Segovia is meat…
The Next President of the European Commission
A decision on the next president of the EU commission will take place in Strasbourg next week. In the run-up to the recent European elections, the EPP Group elected Ursula von der Leyen as its Spitzenkandidat to become the next President of the European Commission. She is also the EU Member States’ candidate for this…