From the capitals
Parliament still hopeful for CAP deal during Portugal’s EU presidency
The European Parliament still hopes to reach an agreement on the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform during Portugal's presidency of the Council of the EU, the chair of the assembly's agriculture committee announced on Tuesday (15 June).
The Green Brief: International summit blues
After a flurry of summits, little has actually been achieved in increasing climate ambition. But the conversations behind closed doors will be the clincher as the world looks ahead to COP 26 and beyond.
EU agrifood sector rejoices at five-year trade truce with US
Agri-food stakeholders and policymakers have welcomed the extension of the retaliatory tariff reprieve with the United States for another five years, as well as the steps taken to end the civil aircraft dispute that has disproportionately affected the sector.
Unleashing the power of data
Data is the critical resource of the digital age. As data is an inextricable part of virtually all digital technologies, Europe’s approach to data governance will largely affect EU digital priorities. The way data is managed, stored and processed in...
EU health ministers back stronger pandemic role for EMA
EU health ministers have met for the last time under Portugal’s presidency of the Council of the EU to agree on that body’s postition for negotiations with the European Parliament on new rules to strengthen the role of the European...
Opportunity for whom: The EU-Africa partnership and sustainable energy transitions
The new EU-Africa partnership should focus on strengthening African governments and working with them on their renewable energy strategies, argues Jesse Ovadia.
Pardons expected for jailed Catalan separatists in ‘coming weeks’
The Spanish government could grant pardon in a matter of days to several Catalan separatists jailed for their involvement in holding an illegal pro-independence referendum in 2017, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported.
The truth behind BES and Novo Banco!
If the EU wishes to borrow in the financial markets, it must first demonstrate to international institutional investors that it will treat them fairly and equitably.
Lithuania says Belarus is helping Middle Eastern migrants to cross its borders
Lithuania's Prime Minister says she believes Belarus is behind a recent spike of illegal immigration into Lithuania, following a threat by its president that it will no longer prevent migrants from crossing its western border.
The untapped potential of data-driven healthcare
The COVID pandemic has been a wakeup call on the need to share healthcare data in a commonly usable format. The European Health Data Space would boost health research and underpin the development of personalized medical treatments, says Padraic Ward.
EU-US aircraft deal heralds new trade cooperation in Biden era
The first summit between the EU and US President Joe Biden concluded on Tuesday (15 June) with a deal on a five-year suspension of tariffs in the longstanding Airbus-Boeing dispute, paving the way for stronger cooperation against the challenges posed by China’s economic model.
The Brief powered by ITI – Do the maths
For a moment, it looked like multilateralism had returned. An agreement on minimum corporate tax rates was secured days before, and the stage was set for the G7 to agree on a burden-sharing programme to generate the additional and equitable vaccine supplies needed for mass global vaccination against COVID-19.
EU Court: GDPR cross-border cases not limited to leading authority
Under exceptional conditions, data protection authorities have the power to open legal proceedings for GDPR infringement even when the organisation concerned is legally based in another EU country.
Germany to ‘plug holes’ in budget with EU green transition money, critics say
Germany is set to dispense €40 billion to its regions affected by the country’s planned 2038 coal phase-out. But that number is a lot less grand than it looks, as the programme will swallow EU funds. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Africans do not yearn for Europe
The recent events in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta may have suggested otherwise, but (most of) Africa does not yearn to come to Europe, writes Oriol Puig.
MEP: Member states trying to preserve ‘absurd’ agricultural status quo
EU member states are trying to preserve “absurd” agricultural situations when it comes to redistribution of farming payments, according to one MEP, who stressed that the European Parliament is not willing to budge on the matter.OpinionPromoted content
Geothermal is the solution for the transition of coal mining regions
The preliminary ruling of the European Court of Justice that has ordered Poland to halt the lignite production at the Turów mine, and the subsequent announcement of Poland’s government that it will defy the ruling, have sent an important message...
Portugal’s Galp moves to green hydrogen at refinery, eyes €1bn investment
Portugal's Galp Energia plans to install a 100-megawatt electrolyser to power its refinery in Sines with green hydrogen by 2025, a project which could be expanded to up to 1,000 MW and be worth €1 billion, Chief Executive Andy Brown said on Monday (14 June).
EU energy ministers support doubling renovation rates by 2030
Europe’s 27 energy ministers on Friday (11 June) backed calls to double Europe’s building renovation rates by 2030 in order to repair their crisis-hit economies, tackle energy poverty and “create green buildings for the future”.
Green on the outside only
The climate crisis and LGBTQ+ pride month have something in common – they’re both an opportunity for large companies to performatively demonstrate their values. But values that must contend with profits are fluid, more a river with divergent streams than an immovable mountain.
EU, US eye ‘Green Technology Alliance’ at Brussels summit
The United States and European Union will pledge closer cooperation on fighting climate change at a summit on Tuesday (15 June), but will steer clear of setting a date to stop burning coal, according to a draft joint statement seen by EURACTIV.
LEAK: EU, US to mend trade ties, align on Russia-China
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out about Italy allowing the mixing of vaccines, Bulgaria's former Deputy PM accused of discriminating Roma people, and so much more.
Beijing accuses NATO of exaggerating ‘China threat theory’
Beijing on Tuesday (15 June) accused NATO of exaggerating the threat from China and "creating confrontation", after a vow from the Western allies to work together to counter the challenges posed by its policies.