Photo by Hongbin on Unsplash The former EU foreign affairs chief has been elected for a second term at the helm of the College of Europe in Bruges. Francesca Mogherini has been the Rector of the College of Europe since September 2020. She has also been director of the European Union Diplomatic Academy, implemented by…
A former MEP has taken up a senior role with the EU Commission, it has emerged. Philippe Lamberts is a former co-leader of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament. The Belgian politician has now taken up a role advising the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The main task of the 61-year-old Belgian…
Photo by Tbel Abuseridze on Unsplash The European Union says it regrets the Georgian Dream’s decision not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and rejecting EU financial support until 2028. A statement from the EU said the announcement marks a shift from the policies of all previous Georgian governments and the European aspirations…
Some MEPs have signalled their strong disapproval of the new team of EU commissioners to serve under Ursula von der Leyen. MEPs voted to back the new team, or college, at the plenary in Strasbourg. The mainstream parties voted in favour of the new look commission. But the Left Group is particularly scathing, branding the…
Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash MEPs have quizzed the Bulgarian candidate for the Startups, Research and Innovation portfolio in Ursula von der Leyen’s EU Commission. Ekaterina Zaharieva faced deputies on the the Industry, Research and Energy Committee on Tuesday. In her introductory remarks, Commissioner-designate Zaharieva expressed her desire to place Research and Innovation (R&I)…
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash The EU’s financial watchdog has warned there is an increasing risk that EU money could be handed out twice for the same action. This is the worrying conclusion of a report published on 22 October by the European Court of Auditors. The Court said that there were unprecedented…
Photo by kazuend on Unsplash The European Commission’s decision to delay introducing a key new law has met with a drastically different response. It comes after the EC announced a postponement of the implementation of the EU regulation to combat deforestation by 12 months. The regulation, which lays down due diligence obligations for companies importing…
MEPs have agreed on the calendar for the hearings of the EU commissioners-designate. The hearings will start on 4 November and take place until 12 November. The Conference of Presidents also decided on a division of duties among committees for the confirmation hearings. The detailed schedule of which Commissioner-designate will be heard and at what time…
The UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said after their meeting this week that they have agreed on the importance of the unique relationship between the European Union and Britain. They said that in line with our shared values they wanted to strengthen ambitiously…
Photo by Fabian Kleiser on Unsplash The new EU Commission will include a Commissioner dedicated to Animal Welfare. The move was “very positively” welcomed by animal protection NGOs. They say it will allow for “better prioritisation of the topic, in line with the demands of EU citizens.” Animal welfare will be included in…
