Browsing: European Commission

Nearly a quarter of LGBTQ+ citizens in the EU have experienced conversion practices, with 38% of Greek respondents most affected, according to the ILGA Europe report. Helena Dalli, former European Commissioner for Equality, condemned these practices as harmful and grounded in falsehood during a recent Council of Europe debate.

European officials, including Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina, have urged for accelerated negotiations on a free-trade agreement with Gulf nations to diversify trade amid US tariffs and increasing Chinese exports. Talks aim to enhance business ties and energy cooperation.

Several US lawmakers, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, urged the European Union to maintain its methane regulations and avoid exempting US energy operators from compliance, highlighting the urgency of effective methane management amid upcoming EU-US trade agreements.

Leaders of the socialist and liberal groups in the European Parliament have expressed concerns to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen about European Commission Vice-President Raffaele Fitto’s and Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius’s attendance at a political event in Slovenia, potentially breaching internal conduct rules ahead of elections.

The European Commission has proposed a new round of sanctions against Russia, aiming to weaken its war economy, according to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The plan includes a full ban on maritime services linked to Russian crude oil, aiming to increase pressure on Moscow ahead of the war’s fourth anniversary.

Ahead of critical nuclear talks in Oman, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned the US against underestimating Iran’s negotiating tactics, highlighting the significance of these discussions in shaping future relations and security dynamics in the region.

The European Union is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with the United States and Japan to enhance critical minerals supply chain security within 30 days, according to Stéphane Séjourné, the EU’s industry chief. This partnership addresses urgent supply dependencies revealed in a recent EU audit.

EU lawmakers, led by German MEP Bernd Lange, agreed to resume work on the EU-US trade deal, initially suspended due to tariff threats from US President Donald Trump. The move aims to provide certainty for European businesses amidst ongoing tensions over territorial sovereignty.

An extraordinary plenary session of the European Parliament, initiated by Parliament President Roberta Metsola, will take place on 24 February to approve a €90 billion loan to Ukraine, coinciding with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to visit Australia later this month to advance a stalled trade agreement, contingent on upcoming negotiations between EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell.