From the capitals
Workers’ groups seek to influence Green Deal
The workers’ groups of the European Economic and Social Committee have seized upon the term “just transition” in a bid to insert their aims for workers’ co-determination into the Commission’s flagship policy, the European Green Deal.
The Brief, powered by Martens Centre – Not so settled status
Whether or not the UK government and EU counterparts care to admit it, living abroad has become more complicated in the age of no more free movement.
A thousand tonnes of harmful counterfeit pesticides seized in EU
The EU's law enforcement agency, Europol, says it took 1,203 tonnes of illegal pesticides off the market between January and April on the back of a rise in online sales of banned substances.
EC study on new genomic techniques – What’s next?
The use of gene-editing technologies in plants has come under increased scrutiny in the EU over the past few years, following the 2018 European Court of Justice ruling that gene-edited organisms should fall, in principle, under the EU’s GMO directive....OpinionPromoted content
ECHA Report on lead ammunition near-total ban: Starting off on the wrong foot once again
After the intensely-debated ban on lead shot in wetlands, we’re now facing a much broader ban on all lead ammunition in other types of terrain: ECHA’s report scientific flaws and general inaccuracy make the outlook for future decisions rather grim.
Sven Giegold: ECB should start ‘digging into’ financial crime in Bulgaria
To join the Euro, Bulgaria needs to tidy up with financial crime, and the European Central Bank (ECB) should be doing its job and finally start “digging into this”, MEP Sven Giegold told EURACTIV in a telephone interview.
The EU’s industrial strategy needs more action on climate
A change of attitude is needed if the EU is to hit its Green Deal goals, argue Henrike Hahn, Rosa D’Amato, Damien Carême, and Ignazio Corrao, who say the European Commission must get its priorities in order and accept its climate responsibilities, rather than delegate strategic choices to industries and companies themselves.
Europe looks to recharge its automotive manufacturing supremacy
The shining jewel in the crown of European manufacturing is arguably the automotive sector. But while the continent is king of the internal combustion engine, it is not the leader in battery manufacturing. In fact, Europe lags behind China, Japan, and South Korea when it comes to electric battery output.
Cohesion and recovery funds: Friends or foes?
In this edition of our series on cohesion policy, we are joined by two very special guests European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira and EURACTIV’s Jorge Valero. We take a closer look at how Europe’s historic recovery...OpinionPromoted content
Research centres are the bridge between academia and industry
So far, 113 research organisations from 21 countries have taken part in Clean Sky’s projects. Their role within our ecosystem is vital – on top of initiating and developing their own new technical proposals, they act as incubators, taking ideas...
Trust in the Digital Decade – Making sure technology serves EU citizens
On March 9th, the European Commission presented a vision for Europe’s digital transformation by 2030. This vision for the EU’s digital decade focuses on around four key points: skills, government, infrastructures, business. A framework of digital principles will help promote...
Kazakh independent expert: Human rights NGOs enjoy more influence
Kazakhstan has made considerable progress in its human rights record in recent years, independent expert Nazgul Yergalieva told EURACTIV in an interview, describing how the authorities in the central Asian country are now cooperating with NGOs in improving human rights protection.
Spanish government to pardon jailed Catalan separatist leaders
The Spanish government is poised to issue pardons for nine Catalan politicians jailed for their involvement in the illegal and ill-fated referendum and declaration of independence in 2017, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reports.
Britain begins negotiations to join trans-Pacific trade deal
Britain will begin negotiations on Tuesday (22 June) to join a trans-Pacific trade deal that it sees as crucial to its post-Brexit pivot away from Europe and towards geographically more distant but faster-growing economies.
Turkey holds key to EU migration pact deadlock
In today's edition of the capitals find out more about the European Commission giving the green light for both Austria's and Slovakia's recovery plans and the Swedish government losing the no-confidence vote, these stories and so much more...
EU slaps fresh sanctions on Myanmar junta
The European Union on Monday (21 June) imposed a third round of sanctions on Myanmar officials and state companies over the military coup on Feb. 1 that overthrew elected leader Aung Suu Kyi and sent the country tumbling into chaos.
EU data watchdogs want ban on AI facial recognition
The EU's data protection agencies on Monday (21 June) called for an outright ban on using artificial intelligence to identify people in public places, pointing to the "extremely high" risks to privacy.
West piles coordinated sanctions on Belarus after plane diversion
The EU, US, Britain and Canada ratcheted up pressure on Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko Monday (21 June) by imposing coordinated sanctions after the forced landing of a Ryanair airliner to arrest a regime critic.
How the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive risks destroying Europe’s forests
If the Europe Union doesn’t want an explosion in the amount of wood being harvested for “renewable heat”, it’s essential that the bugs in the Renewable Energy Directive are fixed, write Samuel Thomas, Dominic Scott and Dr Jan Rosenow.
Slovenian FM: EU inaction in Western Balkans ‘strategically dangerous’
The EU needs to move "as soon as possible" from a wait-and-see approach to a problem-solving strategy in dealing with enlargement and the Western Balkans, Slovenian Foreign Minister Anže Logar told EURACTIV in an interview about the priorities for his country's upcoming EU Council presidency.
Why a carbon tax is the most effective price signal for the building sector
A carbon tax on the fuel used to heat Europe's buildings is the most effective price signal to decarbonise Europe's building stock, which is in desperate need of renovation to meet the EU's climate ambition, writes Oliver Rapf.
French senators give mayors right to veto wind turbine projects
Senators adopted an amendment Friday (18 June) giving municipalities the right to veto a wind turbine project as part of the currently debated Climate and Resilience Law. EURACTIV France reports.OpinionPromoted content
Another future for Europe
‘Democracy owes its existence to Christianity'. These words were uttered by Robert Schuman, the primary founding father of the European Union, half a century ago.