All latest stories
Pages
14/12/2018 - Institutional affairs
The European Council on 13-14 December 2018 adopted conclusions on the MFF, the single market, migration and other items, namely external relations, climate change, security and defence, disinformation, the fight against racism and xenophobia and citizens' consultations.
14/12/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade / Institutional affairs
MEPs backed a trade deal with Japan, awarded the Sakharov Prize to Oleg Sentsov and paid tribute to the victims of Tuesday’s terror attack in Strasbourg during December’s plenary session.
13/12/2018 - Institutional affairs
The EU27 leaders held a special meeting of the European Council in Article 50 format to discuss Brexit. They reconfirmed the conclusions of 25 November 2018, in which they endorsed the withdrawal agreement and approved the political declaration.
12/12/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
The European Parliament gave its consent to the EU’s trade agreement with Japan, the largest bilateral trade deal ever negotiated by the EU. The Economic Partnership Agreement will remove almost all custom duties adding up to €1 billion annually for EU companies.
12/12/2018 - Economy and the euro
For next year’s budget, MEPs have secured better support for students, unemployed youngsters and researchers. Commitment appropriations for 2019 total €165.8 billion; payment appropriations total €148.2 billion.
11/12/2018 - Institutional affairs
The Council discussed the next multiannual financial framework, prepared the December European Council and approved its 18-month programme. It also held a hearing on the rule of law in Poland and exchanged views under the Article 7(1) TEU procedure concerning Hungary.
11/12/2018 - Security and defence
Good progress is being achieved on a number of security initiatives, including the proposals to remove terrorist content online and to reinforce the European Border and Coast Guard, but more efforts are needed.
11/12/2018 - Consumer affairs and public health / Food, farming and fisheries
MEPs want the European Food Safety Agency to publish safety studies before a product is authorised to go on to the market. The revised rules aim to make risk assessment more transparent and ensure that the studies used by EFSA to authorise a product to be put on the market are reliable, objective and independent.
10/12/2018 - Enlargement, external relations and trade
The Council discussed Iran focusing on the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). The ministers also discussed the situation in Venezuela and the dangerous increase of tensions in Ukraine.
- Outcome of the Council meeting
- Ukraine: EU adds nine persons involved in 'elections' in '‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ and ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ to sanctions list
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: Council extends sanctions for one year
- India: Council adopts conclusions on a new EU strategy
- Women, peace and security: Council adopts conclusions
- More press releases from the Foreign Affairs Council
10/12/2018 - Justice and citizens’ rights
The results of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency's latest survey on Antisemitism are particularly worrying: 85% of European Jews consider Antisemitism to be the biggest social or political problem in their home country.
07/12/2018 - Justice and citizens’ rights
The Council agreed its position on the regulation on European production and preservation orders for e-evidence in criminal matters. Ministers also agreed positions on the sales of goods directive and on the revision of so called Brussels IIa regulation.
- Outcome of the Council meeting
- Regulation on cross border access to e-evidence : Council agrees its position
- Council agrees on more effective rules to solve cross border parental responsibility issues
- More unified rules on contracts for the sales of goods: Council agrees its position
- More press releases from the Justice and Home Affairs Council
07/12/2018 - Consumer affairs and public health / Employment and social rights
The Council reached a general approach on proposals for a regulation on establishing the European Labour Authority (ELA) and for a directive on carcinogens or mutagens at work. The Council also adopted a recommendation on strengthened cooperation against vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Outcome of the Council meeting
- More protection for workers: Council agrees to reduce the exposure to 5 carcinogens
- European Labour Authority: Council agrees its position
- Council recommendation on strengthened cooperation against vaccine-preventable diseases
- More press releases from the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
07/12/2018 - Research and innovation
Delivering on its strategy on artificial intelligence (AI) adopted in April 2018 today the Commission presents a coordinated plan prepared with Member States to foster the development and use of AI in Europe.
05/12/2018 - Consumer affairs and public health / Justice and citizens’ rights
To protect its democratic systems and public debates and in view of the 2019 European elections as well as a number of national and local elections that will be held in Member States by 2020, the EU is presenting today an Action Plan to step up efforts to counter disinformation in Europe and beyond.
05/12/2018 - Economy and the euro
In light of the upcoming European Council and Euro Summit in December, the Commission presents actions to strengthen the role of the euro in a changing world.
04/12/2018 - Business, taxation and competition / Economy and the euro
The Council endorsed the political agreement reached with the European Parliament on a package of risk reduction measures in the banking sector and adopted an action plan to better tackle money laundering and terrorist financing.
- Outcome of the Council meeting
- Banking Union: Council endorses package of measures to reduce risk
- VAT: Council adopts short-term fixes to current EU system
- Money laundering: Council adopts conclusions on an action plan for enhanced monitoring
- More press releases from the Economic and Financial Affairs Council
04/12/2018 - Business, taxation and competition / Consumer affairs and public health
04/12/2018 - Economy and the euro / Institutional affairs
Ahead of the European Council meeting on 13 and 14 December 2018, the Commission is taking stock of the encouraging progress made so far in the negotiations of the EU's next long-term budget and urging Leaders to keep up the momentum.
04/12/2018 - Asylum and migration / Justice and citizens’ rights
Taking stock of measures taken since 2015, the report highlights the main trends in trafficking in human beings and outlines remaining challenges that the EU and Member States must address as a matter of priority.
03/12/2018 - Transport and travel
