EU Affairs

EU antibiotics shortage not a 'major event,' says EMA

A spike in respiratory infections has reduced availability of amoxicillin and other antibiotics, leading some regulations to be relaxed.

Friday, 27 January 2023

Belgium to face steeper budget cuts under new EU fiscal scheme

Under the newly proposed EU fiscal framework, Belgium would be required to reduce its deficit by 0.4% more than under the current scheme.

Friday, 27 January 2023

Massive EU support for petition against animal testing

The petition is the ninth most signed petition ever yet it is unclear how the EU executive will respond.

Thursday, 26 January 2023

Greek Government faces no-confidence vote over spyware scandal

Greek PM Mitsotakis has been accused of “setting up an Orwellian dystopia” and of spearheading a “criminal network” through phone tapping.

Thursday, 26 January 2023

New EU strategy for more effective returns of irregular migrants – is it safe?

"An effective and common EU system for returns should reduce unsafe and irregular migration."

Thursday, 26 January 2023

Belgium in Brief: Doomsday is nigh, who's worried?

The Doomsday Clock isn't the brainchild of some arcane conspiracists trying to sow widespread panic, but does anyone hear the alarm?

Wednesday, 25 January 2023

European Parliament one step closer to tougher rules on political advertising

The new proposal will make it easier for citizens to recognise a political advertisement, why they are seeing it and who paid for it.

Wednesday, 25 January 2023

European Commission moves to step up protection of pollinators

European Commission presents action plan to address the "worrying decline" of wild, pollinating insects.

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Scandal at European Parliament: Cozzolino pleads innocent to fellow MEPs

Cozzolino argued he is only suspected in because he had hired Francesco Giorgi (one of the figures at the very centre of Qatargate) as an assistant.

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

'Deliver ocean protection you promised': Greenpeace action calls out EU failures

With the projection on the EU Commission HQ in Brussels, Greenpeace International has called on the EU to create a Global Ocean Treaty.

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Euro soars to 9-month high against dollar

"The growth in confidence in the economic outlook is part of the euro story. [Also] the ECB is going to carry on hiking interest rates fairly aggressively."

Monday, 23 January 2023

EU chief Michel wants to use frozen Russian billions to rebuild Ukraine

European Council President Charles Michel was in Kyiv last week to meet Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

Monday, 23 January 2023

EU auditors: 'Hazardous waste in the EU continues to increase and most of it is disposed of'

“The most preferable ways to handle hazardous waste are recycling and energy recovery. Disposal should only be used as a last resort."

Sunday, 22 January 2023

President of European Parliament Metsola under fire after visiting luxury hotel

It is currently still unclear what the consequences for Metsola will be.

Saturday, 21 January 2023

Some EU member states oppose a ban on live animal export

“Revised legislation should ensure the economic competitiveness of EU agriculture.”

Saturday, 21 January 2023

Belgium in Brief: Calling time on the lobbying gravy train?

Lobbying is an accepted and even bona fide part of the EU organisation. But can it really be part of a functioning democracy or is it bound for corruption?

Friday, 20 January 2023

Gazprom further cuts gas supply to Europe

Russian gas supplies will once again be cut to Europe, Russian gas monopoly Gazprom announced on Friday. No justification was given by the company.

Friday, 20 January 2023

New Frontex director promises to turn the page in discredited EU agency

“We cannot do our job if we aren’t trusted.”

Friday, 20 January 2023

Belgium calls on EU to sanction corrupt Lebanese politicians for the first time

This is the first time that a parliament in Europe adopts a resolution on Lebanon calling on the EU to implement its sanctions framework.

Friday, 20 January 2023

Italy accused of deporting refugees to Greece on commercial ships

Asylum seekers were locked up by Italian authorities in "unofficial prisons" on the lower decks while passengers above enjoyed their cruise.

Friday, 20 January 2023