We firmly reject and unequivocally condemn the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. By wilfully undermining the rules-based international order and blatantly violating the fundamental rights of Ukraine to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, core principles as enshrined in the UN Charter and international law, Russia is putting global security at risk.
In light of the escalation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission proposed a new package of sanctions against Russia. The new package proposes bans on imports of Russian products, a price cap on Russian oil, as well as a new listing of individuals and entities.
The Commission calls on Member States to modernise their minimum income schemes as part of the ongoing pledge to reduce poverty and social exclusion in Europe. Minimum income is cash payments that help households who need it to bridge the gap to a certain income level to pay the bills and live a life in dignity.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has concluded an intense week of discussions with world leaders and international partners at the UN General Assembly in New York with a series of pledges to tackle the current food crisis, aggravated by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the urgent climate and nature crisis and to improve global health.
The Council formally adopted the decision to provide € 5 billion of additional macro-financial assistance (MFA) to Ukraine, as a matter of urgency. This financial assistance complements other EU support to Ukraine in the humanitarian, development, customs and defence fields.
As part of the EU Cancer Screening Scheme to be put forward under Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission presents a new approach to support Member States increasing the uptake of cancer screening.
The European Commission adopted a European Media Freedom Act, a novel set of rules to protect media pluralism and independence in the EU. The proposed Regulation includes, among others, safeguards against political interference in editorial decisions and against surveillance.
(Picture provided by BRITTA PEDERSEN/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)
The Commission is proposing an emergency intervention in Europe's energy markets to tackle recent dramatic price rises. The EU is confronted with the effects of a severe mismatch between energy demand and supply, due largely to the continued weaponisation by Russia of its energy resources.
In her State of the Union address, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen outlined flagship initiatives which the Commission plans to undertake in the coming year. Many of them are made in response to recommendations citizens made through the Conference on the Future of Europe.
The Commission is proposing to fully suspend the EU's Visa Facilitation Agreement with Russia. A country like Russia, waging a war of aggression, should not qualify for visa facilitations as long as it continues conducting its destructive foreign policy and military aggression towards Ukraine, demonstrating a complete disregard to the international rules-based order.
The European Commission presents the European Care Strategy to ensure quality, affordable and accessible care services across the European Union and improve the situation for both care receivers and the people caring for them, professionally or informally.
The Association Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked and unjustified Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. “The European Union will continue supporting Ukraine whatever threat, whatever blackmail Russia puts on us. We will provide our support politically, financially, in the humanitarian field and militarily as long as it takes, and as much as needed.” - Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The European Commission approved the first package of CAP strategic plans for seven countries: Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, and Spain. This is an important step for the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on 1 January 2023.
The Ministers primarily entertained Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the negative effects of Russia’s policy on the stability of other parts of the world including the Balkans and Africa. In this regard, the Defence Ministers focused both on further practical support to the defending Ukraine by European countries and on the EU’s military engagement outside Europe.
The European Union has joined the Hague Judgements Convention, an important tool to facilitate rules-based multilateral trade and investment. The Convention sets out conditions for the recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial matters, including consumer and employment contracts, and possible grounds for their refusal.
