About: Didier Reynders
Council of Europe calls for greater oversight on intelligence community’s surveillance powers
The Council of Europe insists that there is an urgent need to provide "effective oversight" on the surveillance activities of international intelligence agencies and the threats to privacy that emerge as a result
European Commission pushes member states for common travel rules
The European Commission on Friday (4 September) proposed a set of recommendations to prevent discriminatory measures applied by member states in a new attempt to harmonise fragmented COVID-19 travel restrictions across the bloc.
European justice ministers promise to combat disinformation and racism
Rule of law as a priority of the German EU Council presidency was an open secret long before the programme was presented. Thus, it was only fitting that the first Council meeting chaired by Germany was that of the ministers of justice. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Commission conducting ‘preparatory work’ should ECJ invalidate privacy shield
The European Commission is preparing for the eventuality that the European Court of Justice (ECJ) may invalidate the EU-US data transfer agreement, known as the Privacy Shield, Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders has said.
Commission study calls for ‘sanctions’ for online disinformation
A European Commission study on the effectiveness of the EU's code of practice against disinformation has criticised the self-regulatory nature of the framework, suggesting that "sanctions and redress mechanisms" should be put into place in order to ensure compliance with the rules.
MEPs enticed by lure of airline vouchers over refunds
Members of the European Parliament are increasingly siding with the aviation industry's plans, already backed by most EU countries, to reimburse passengers with vouchers instead of cash refunds. Their support may force the Commission to change the rules, which it has so far resisted.
EU stands by its data privacy rules in response to COVID-19
Europe cannot win the fight against the coronavirus without digital technologies, the European Commission said in a video call with EU-27 health ministers on Monday (27 April). But this must not come at the expense of EU data protection rules, which must remain a "global gold standard".
Commission hits out at online COVID-19 scams
The European Commission has rebuked online platforms including Facebook, Google, Amazon, Alibaba and eBay for the alleged "proliferation of deceptive marketing techniques" that exploit consumers' fear of Coronavirus for economic gain.
European Parliament calls on member states to act on Poland and Hungary
The EU must set out concrete demands and deadlines for Poland and Hungary over their rule of law and judicial independence situation, lawmakers in the European Parliament demanded in a Strasbourg debate on Article 7 on Wednesday (15 January). In...
Digital Brief: Commissioners On Trial
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “Concerning technologies of the future, such as artificial intelligence or 5G for example, the European Union can establish...
Commissioner hearings LIVE: Reynders/Dalli/Ferreira
On Wednesday (2 October), the European Parliament's committees will be holding hearings with Commissioner-designates Didier Reynders (Belgium, Justice), Helena Dalli (Malta, Equality) and Elisa Ferreira (Portugal, Cohesion and Reforms).
Reynders, Belgium’s pick for EU Commission, faces new graft accusation
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders faced new corruption allegations on Tuesday (1 October), days after a prosecutor dropped an inquiry into money-laundering allegations against him by the same man.
Belgian Commissioner-pick faces corruption probe
The man Ursula von der Leyen chose to be her rule of law guard dog in the incoming European Commission is facing allegations of corruption and money-laundering, according to Belgian media. This could cast doubt on another member of her proposed college before all candidates are vetted by the European Parliament.
Vestager the digital chief in name, but Goulard in practice
The EU's Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager received broad support on Tuesday (10 September) following her nomination as the Commission's Executive Vice President for Digital.
Council of Europe assembly authorises Russia’s return
The Council of Europe's parliamentary assembly agreed Tuesday (25 June) to allow Russian representatives to return to the body, five years after it was stripped of its voting rights over the annexation of Crimea.
Belgian king names pointmen to help forge new government
King Philippe of Belgium on Thursday (30 May) tasked two politicians with exploring ways that a new government can be formed following elections in which a far-right party scored a surprise second place.
Speaker deals blow to May’s bid for 3rd ‘meaningful vote’
British Prime Minister Theresa May's bid to get her EU divorce deal through parliament was hit Monday (18 March) with a bombshell announcement by the speaker, ruling MPs could not vote again on the same proposal they had already rejected.
Germany pronounces INF missile treaty dead
Germany said Friday that Russia had "de facto invalidated" a landmark Cold War missile reduction treaty which the US is poised to abandon, with Europe anxious at the prospect of a new arms race.
Belgian PM relaunches government as minority after ally quits
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel relaunched his government on Sunday (9 December) as a minority administration after the biggest party in his coalition quit in a dispute over signing the UN migration compact.
EU will not lift visas unless Turkey eases terrorism laws
The European Union told Turkey today (16 February) it would not ease travel requirements for its citizens unless Ankara softens counter-terrorism laws that the bloc says are excessive.
Time for everyone to sign up for strong ocean governance
There is currently no legal mechanism for creating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) on the high seas. A proposed agreement by the UN looks to rectify that, writes Sophie Mirgaux.
Belgians keep EU, Canada in suspense on CETA trade deal
Feuding Belgian politicians, keeping Canada and the European Union waiting, resume talks on Wednesday (26 October) with hopes fading that they will unblock the CETA free trade deal in time for a planned signing summit.
Belgian minister’s twitter feed hacked amid CETA tensions
The twitter account of Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders was hacked yesterday (18 October), his ministry said, just hours after EU ministers failed to agree on a trade deal with Canada due to opposition by Belgium.