Hidden Belgium
A memorial to the Sandy Hook high school shooting
Bestselling author Derek Blyth picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets of Belgium every day
EU Tracker
- Tomorrow - A rural revival
The European Committee of the Regions plenary kicks off. Follow the event here, where topics such a regional development aid will be discussed with EU Commissioners.
- January 31 - Economics of energy
The EU auditors will publish a report on how effective energy taxation, carbon pricing and energy subsidies are in relation to the bloc’s climate goals. It will take into account current and planned legislation.
- February 1 - Chips are down
The European Commission will publish its Chips Act in early February, exact date to be confirmed. The plan will detail how Brussels aims to boost domestic microchip production.
- February 2 - Poland vs Czechia
EU Court of Justice issues opinion on Poland’s Turow coal mine, which the Czech Republic alleges breaks EU law.
- February 2 - Defence and space
EU Commission publishes new strategies for the defence and space sectors, including a plan for critical technologies and management of space traffic.
- February 7 - EU-US energy
The EU and US will reportedly hold a joint energy council on 7 February, with the fate of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline set to top the agenda.
- February 10 - Battery business
MEPs on the environment committee vote on the Battery Regulation, with a vote in plenary scheduled afterwards for sometime in March.
- February 17 - Hands across the Med
Day 1 of the EU-African Union summit.
- March 1 - EU-China summit
The EU and China will hold a bilateral summit during March. Exact date to follow.
- March 17 - Battery business II
EU environment ministers meet for a council summit. They are scheduled to vote on an agreement on the Battery Regulation review. Trilateral talks can begin once this deal is finalised.
- March 30 - Circle the wagons
EU Commission presents its Circular Economy package, a set of rules that will include making ecodesign standards more strict. It is another piece of the Green Deal puzzle.
- April 20 - Common charger
MEPs are scheduled to vote on their position on the plan for a common universal charger. Interinstitutional negotiations can begin once they have agreed.
- May 12 - Taxonomy troubles
The European Council and Parliament have until mid-May to object to the draft sustainable taxonomy delegated acts on nuclear and gas power. A majority of MEPs or reverse reinforced qualified majority of the Council (around 20 member states) will be needed to vote it down. They can also request an additional two months to scrutinise the document if needed.
- July 1 - Czech in
Czech Republic takes over the rotating EU presidency from France.
