About: EU Commission
Germany still hesitating to link stimulus packages with climate targets
France, the Netherlands and Austria want to put environmentally friendly conditions on aid for corporations. In Germany, companies themselves are calling for a climate stimulus package, yet Economy Minister Peter Altmaier is hesitating. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Fact-check: Germany is EU’s fifth-worst offender, with 76 infringement proceedings
Last week, the European Commission initiated three new infringement proceedings against Germany for failing to implement EU law, bringing the total to 76. But even though this may seem like a lot, Berlin is by far not the EU's worst offender. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU carbon border tax cheaper and fairer than French energy levy, says report
The European Commission's carbon border tax proposal would have a small impact on French households, unlike the country's own proposal to tax energy which prompted the birth of the 'gilets jaunes' movement. EURACTIV France reports.
EPP think-tank says US should mediate in Mediterranean maritime spats
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out the latest regarding Turkstream, NATO troops in Iraq, Italy's crumbling pledge to solve the Libyan crisis by gathering the relevant actors around a table, and so much more.
Breton’s bid to shake the Atos shadow
France's European Commissioner-designate Thierry Breton will appear before members of the European Parliament this afternoon, in an attempt to assuage concerns over alleged conflicts of interest in his previous leadership of the global IT firm, Atos.
EU globalisation adjustment fund should cushion Brexit consequences
On Monday (21 October), the European Parliament voted in favour of using funds from the Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) in the event of a hard Brexit to help workers of the remaining EU-27 who will have lost their jobs as a result of the UK's withdrawal. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU will not renew authorisation of ‘bee killer’ substance thiacloprid
Based on a conclusion by the EU's food safety authority (EFSA), the EU Commission announced on Tuesday (22 October) that it will not renew the authorisation of the "bee killer" substance thiacloprid. This means that the substance can still be used until April 2020. EURACTIV Germany reports.
New MEP asks Commission for Turkish to become official EU language
New leftist Cypriot MEP Akel Niyazi Kizilyurek asked the EU Commission whether Turkish could be the EU's 25th language. According to the MEP, this would be one way to prepare for the future reunification of the island of Cyprus. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.
EU-Brazil trade should be more sustainable, 600 scientists say
In an open letter, 600 European scientists and 300 indigenous groups are calling for the EU to insist on the respect for environmental and human rights standards in its current trade negotiations with Brazil. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Border controls: state of emergency becoming state of normality
Germany, as well as other EU member states in the Schengen area, is extending the period of random border checks. The EU Commission is not pleased. EURACTIV’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Digitalising agriculture: Opportunities and market control
With the new CAP, the EU Commission is set to foster innovation and digitalisation in agriculture. German companies are hoping for multi-billion euro deals, yet management and infrastructural issues stand in the way.
Making the most of the European Values Instrument
The European Values Instrument can provide a much-needed boost to the weakened resilience of European democracies. However, the details of its structure will determine whether this opportunity will be grasped, write Jan Jakub Chromiec and Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz.
Greenland gets EU’s support for Inuit seal products
Seal hunting has been associated with images of animal cruelty, Brigitte Bardot hugging a seal pup, and environmental groups asking for it to be banned, which the EU eventually did. The outcome has been disastrous for indigenous people, who traditionally live off the sea, but Greenland is now fighting to turn things around.
Upgrade the plastic, don’t ban or tax it
A tax or ban on plastics won't solve pollution problems, but it would deprive the world od a cheap and valuable material. The solution is to make it biodegradable and recyclable, writes Michael Stephen.
Climate finance, the sticking point in COP23
Rich countries had pledged to raise $100 billion each year in climate finance for developing countries by 2020. As of September 2017, they had pledged just $10.3 billion. And the question of who should pay remains unanswered. EURACTIV reports from the COP23 in Bonn.
European industry counterattacks against Argentine biodiesel
A group representing European biodiesel producers filed a complaint about illegal state aid with the European Commission on 3 November. EURACTIV France reports.
Commission in bid to lead ‘tough’ Brexit talks with UK
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is ready to take a “tough stance” with the UK. Rallying behind its boss, the executive’s legal arm confirmed its support for Juncker taking charge of the negotiatians, EURACTIV.com has learnt.
Analyst: MEPs rejecting Hill is tantamount to ‘nuclear option’
Among the “problematic” candidate-commissioners, the one which the European Parliament would most like to disqualify at the hearings starting next week is the UK's Jonathan Hill. But this would amount to launching a nuclear attack. That’s why it is more likely that MEPs will try to “take the scalp” of a candidate from a less strategic country, an expert told EURACTIV.