Europe needs a Bio Act according to MEP Pernille Weiss (EPP). Weiss and other expert speakers at the European High-Level Summit on Biosolutions said failing to develop an effective biosolutions framework will lead to a stifling of innovation and growth.

The EU’s recent push to encourage the private sector to step in to finance critical investment - especially through the revival of Capital Market Union (CMU) plans -  is both unrealistic and misguided, experts warned.

The European Commission requested information on Thursday (14 March) from nine big tech platforms on their use of targeted ads and generative artificial intelligence (AI) to gauge compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA).

After tabling just a small part of the promised overhaul of legislation on animal welfare, the Commission told the European Parliament plenary on Thursday (14 March) that a revision must rely on a strategic dialogue with stakeholders.

Panama is increasingly becoming the hub of illicit tobacco trade, costing the country massive loss of public revenues and at the same time, raising questions over the policy response to this phenomenon.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen is expected to start an “intensive” EU election campaign in May with several “thematic” events across Europe, a source familiar with the matter from the European People’s Party (EPP) headquarters in Brussels told Euractiv.

Airdrops and a maritime corridor will not be enough to substitute humanitarian aid transported by trucks into Gaza, where people are on the verge of famine, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said on Thursday (14 March).

The EU’s Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius is touring Paraguay, Bolivia, and Ecuador this week to address concerns related to the implementation of the world’s first ban on deforestation-linked products, a measure criticised as protectionist by some of the bloc’s trade partners.

When I think about the Russian elections, particularly the presidential one taking place this weekend, I cannot help but remember the totalitarian voting in which I participated as a youngster.

Animal welfare is one of those rare issues that is neither left nor right. Across the political spectrum and irrespective of nationality, you’ll always find politicians who care about the plight of animals; it is certainly not the exclusive domain of the Greens and the Left.

A key provision in the EU's AI rulebook to assess the risks of foundation models such as ChatGPT may become obsolete within a year due to the pace of developing technologies, experts told Euractiv.

Support in the US for NATO is high and the Europeans' investment into defence is higher than ever, Secretary-General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday (14 March), in a move to dismiss future criticism from Washington.

The European Commission announced its investigation into AliExpress on Thursday (14 March), about whether the online retail service violated the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

11 Apr 2024 12:00

Our modern connectivity ecosystem is critical to preserving EU fundamental values, fostering greater resilience among Member States, and advancing European interests.

Essential digital applications, many of which we use daily, are quickly evolving and advancing in their capabilities. Telecommunications operators are investing and innovating to ensure that Europe’s digital network infrastructure keeps pace.

As Member States, cities, companies, communities, and all of us as individuals undergo digital transitions, it is essential that we have the right regulatory, political, and social frameworks to ensure success.

Join us on 11 April (12:00 - 14:00) at The Nine private social club in Brussels for a fireside discussion with leaders in the digital and connectivity sector. Participants will examine the type of paradigm shifts required to move Europe towards the next digital frontier and foster competitiveness.

The discussion will focus on how to:

• Ensure that Europe truly benefits from transformative digital technologies
• Support private investment and innovation in digital network infrastructure
• Tackle the alarmingly low level of digital skills in Europe and encourage a digital mindset

Panellists:

Kamila Kloc – Director, Directorate B, Digital Decade and Connectivity, DG CONNECT European Commission

Ann Caluwaerts – Chief Corporate Development Officer, Telenet  and Non-Executive Board member Imec & Bpost

Eke Vermeer – Vice President Public Affairs, Liberty Global

Moderated by Irina Varlan – Managing Director, GIGAEurope

 

BrusselsInfoSocietyThe Nine69 Rue Archimède1000  BrusselsBelgiumMore information here

In a video seen by AFP on Wednesday (13 March), French President Emmanuel Macron said he was in favour of including the notion of consent in the criminal definition of rape - a significant U-turn, given that France opposed the idea in an EU directive in February.

One of the leaders of the liberals in the EU election campaign will be German defence expert Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, whose party in Germany has been obstructing significant legislative proposals related to business and the Green Deal in recent weeks.

On Wednesday (13 March), the European Parliament passed its first comprehensive regulation on artificial intelligence (AI), but major questions remain on how the law will be implemented.

On Tuesday (12 March), the French Senate approved a law protecting farmers against growing complaints from new rural residents about the nuisance caused by farm activities, such as the crowing of cockerels in the morning or the smell of manure.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday (14 March) called for broad public dialogue on the prospect of applying for EU membership, as the ex-Soviet country's ties with Russia fray.

As a strategic raw material, aluminium plays a crucial role in the EU's journey towards climate neutrality by 2050 and achieving a green transition ‘made in Europe’. Its applications range from wind turbines and solar panels to electric vehicles and batteries, illustrating its essential role in clean technologies. With forecasts indicating a significant surge in aluminium demand, it is imperative to establish a strong and globally competitive aluminium industry in Europe.