Rental and housing markets in European cities and regions have come under significant pressure since the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine. Members of the Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy and EU Budget of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) call for increased support for European regions and cities on the frontline of the refugee…
EU council president Charles Michel has issued a strongly worded statement after Vladimir Putin announced the annexation of four Ukrainian provinces. It reads, “President Putin has decided on Russia’s illegal annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. This annexation follows sham referenda and constitutes a dangerous and irresponsible escalation. It is…
To mark the occasion, the Commission organised a conference on language learning. The online event focussed on language awareness in schools and how multilingual classrooms can support inclusion and solidarity. In light of the large number of displaced pupils from Ukraine, participants will discuss the support currently provided to these children and their families to learn…
MEPs say that minimum wages in all EU countries should allow for decent living and working standards, and member states should promote collective bargaining for pay. With 505 votes in favour, 92 against and 44 abstentions, Parliament adopted new laws on adequate minimum wages in the EU, on Wednesday. The EU law, agreed with the Council…
Solidarity with Ukraine: The EU-Ukraine Association Council has taken place, with new agreements further strengthen cooperation between the EU and Ukraine Last Monday, the 8th EU Ukraine Association Council took place in Brussels to discuss the EU-Ukraine bilateral agenda, notably the implementation of the Association Agreement and state of play of EU-Ukraine cooperation. The EU…
The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU held an extraordinary meeting of the Energy Ministers this weekend to discuss emergency measures to mitigate the extremely high energy prices. The dramatic deterioration of the situation on the gas and electricity markets is exposing a large number of European companies to unaffordable energy prices. Many enterprises…
The European Commission has presented a proposal to the Council for a decision to grant an additional €460 million in financial support to Bulgaria under the SURE instrument, bringing the total support to the country to €971 million. Once the Council approves this proposal, the financial support will be provided in the form of loans…
EU council president Charles Michel has praised the “bravery” of Ukraine in its war with Russia. He was speaking at the Crimea Platform Summit on Tuesday. The former Belgian PM said, “Crimea is Ukraine. I start with the same, clear message I had the opportunity to convey last year when I took part in the…
EU member states have decided to impose restrictive measures on two additional individuals in response to what they call the ongoing “unjustified and unprovoked” Russian military aggression against Ukraine. The Council added the pro-Russian former President of Ukraine Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych and his son Oleksandr Viktorovych Yanukovych to the list of persons, entities and bodies subject to restrictive measures set out…
EU member states decided on Tuesday (26 July) to prolong by six months, until 31 January 2023 the restrictive measures targeting specific sectors of the economy of the Russian Federation. These sanctions, first introduced in 2014 in response to Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, were significantly expanded since February 2022, in light of Russia’s…
