European Commission

Latest news and information from the European Commission.

Brussels sets out recommendations for sustainable farming

The EU Commission published recommendations Friday for each EU Member State to assist in the drafting of their Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) strategic plans, accompanied by a Communication.

EU gender equality plan puts women's rights at heart of global recovery

The EU executive and its foreign affairs arm put forward ambitious plans Wednesday to promote gender equality and women's empowerment through all external action of the European Union.

Auditors pass 2019 EU accounts, but 'too many spending errors'

EU auditors signed off the EU's 2019 accounts as 'true and fair' Tuesday, but their annual report concluded that payments had too many errors, and they also issued an adverse opinion on expenditure.

Brussels points way to greener, more digital economy post-COVID

A more healthy and fairer Europe is promised in the EU Commission's 2021 work programme, published Monday with the aim of accelerating a long-term transformation to a greener economy, fit for the digital age.

EU begins legal action against UK for breaching legal obligations

Following Britain's refusal to remove parts of its draft Internal Market Bill by end September, the Commission began legal action Thursday for the UK's breach of obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Brussels unveils 'smarter' customs plan

The EU Commission launched a new Customs Union Action Plan Monday, setting out a series of measures to make EU customs 'smarter, more innovative and more efficient' over the next four years.

EU outlines measures to achieve new climate goal

The EU Commission set out details Thursday of its plan, announced by EC chief Ursula von der Leyen, to reduce EU greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

EU Commission to target 55 pct emissions reductions

EU Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen in her first state of the union speech announced an increase to the 2030 climate target, to 'at least 55%' emissions reductions, up from the previous 40% target.

EU aims for resilience with new foresight strategy

Resilience is the keyword of a new strategic policy direction outlined by the EU Commission Wednesday, pointing to more evidence-based strategic choices that are aimed at strong and lasting recovery.

First annual Strategic Foresight Report

The European Commission adopted on 9 September its first-ever Strategic Foresight Report, aiming to identify emerging challenges and opportunities to better steer the European Union's strategic choices.

Strategic Foresight

Foresight is the discipline of exploring, anticipating and shaping the future to help building and using collective intelligence in a structured, systematic and systemic way to anticipate developments. Strategic foresight, on the other hand, seeks to embed foresight into European Union policy-making. Strategic Foresight will: anticipate trends, emerging issues, and their potential implications and opportunities in order to draw useful insights for strategic planning, policy-making and preparedness; inform the design of new initiatives and the review of existing ones in line with the revamped Commission Better Regulation toolbox; build collective intelligence in a structured and systematic way to better develop possible transition pathways, prepare the EU to withstand shocks and shape the future we want.

European Commission - The Week's Top Stories

 

Brussels proposes EUR 750 bn Covid recovery package

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen presented Wednesday a EUR 750 bn plan for economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis involving pooling of debt and unprecedented financial transfers.

Brussels takes legal action against Poland over judges' independence

The EU Commission launched legal action again Poland Wednesday over a new law which it says undermines the judicial independence of Polish judges and is incompatible with the primacy of EU law.

EU offers Italy "heartfelt apology" over coronavirus

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday expressed "a heartfelt apology" to Italy on behalf of Europe for not being at the country's side from the very beginning of the coronavirus crisis.

Brussels outlines roadmap for COVID exit plans

The EU Commission, in cooperation with the Council, put forward a European roadmap Wednesday for a coordinated strategy for phasing-out the containment measures due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Brussels plans EUR 100 billion coronavirus solidarity fund

The EU Commission proposed Thursday to set up a EUR 100 bn coronavirus solidarity fund to help businesses stay afloat and workers keep incomes, and to redirect structural funds to coronavirus response.

Country reports put sustainability at heart of EU economic policy

Environmental sustainability is at the heart of the 'winter package' of EU country reports analysing Member States' key socio-economic challenges, published on Wednesday by the European Commission.

Western Balkans next target for EU enlargement

The European Commission put forward a proposal Wednesday to strengthen and make the EU accession process more predictable, targeting enlargement to the Western Balkans as a top EU priority.

EU offers zero-tariff trade deal if UK keeps to commitment on 'level playing field'

The EU offered the UK a tariff-free trade deal Monday, so long as it kept to commitments it made in the Political Declaration to a 'level playing field' and preventing unfair competitive advantages.

Green deal at centre of EU Commission's 2020 work plan

The EU's key challenge in 2020 is to grasp opportunities offered by the ecological and digital transitions, its chief Ursula von der Leyen said as she set out her Commission's new Work Programme Wednesday.

New EU growth strategy to be based on 'competitive sustainability'

The new von der Leyen Commission presented a rebooted growth strategy Tuesday focused on promoting competitive sustainability and building a European economy 'that works for people and the planet'.

New 'Green Deal' is EU's growth strategy, says Commission

The European Commission presented its long-awaited 'Green Deal' Wednesday, a package of measures to boost efficient use of resources, to turn climate challenges into opportunities across all policy areas.

MEPs vote in von der Leyen's new EU Commission

Following conclusion of its hearings process, the EU Parliament gave its approval Wednesday to a new team of Commissioners, presented by Commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen.

Eight states at risk of breaching EU stability pact

High levels of debt mean eight EU Member States - including France and Italy - are at risk of non-compliance with the European Stability and Growth Pact, the European Commission said on Wednesday.