With a deal reached on the EU’s 2021-2027 budget, recovery funds should get flowing as soon as possible, said budgets committee chair Johan Van Overtveldt. Van Overtveldt (ECR, Belgium) described the agreement reached with the Council on the EU’s long-term budget as “rather successful” and “a positive thing”. However, he explained there are still hurdles to be overcome before the […]

A European Health Data Space for better healthcare, better research and better health policy making. The set-up of the European Health Data Space will be an integral part of building a European Health Union Jens Spahn, Germany’s Federal Minister of Health: Health data is paramount, for health care in general, but especially to fight cross-border health threats […]

On Thursday, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional political agreement to make 2021 the European Year of Rail. The European Year of Rail will promote rail as a sustainable, innovative and safe mode of transport with events, campaigns and initiatives planned throughout 2021. The Year of Rail will endorse the creation of a Single […]

To close gaps exposed by COVID-19 and ensure that health systems can face future threats to public health, an ambitious EU health programme is needed, say MEPs. On Friday, Parliament adopted its position on the Commission proposal to step up the EU’s action in the health sector significantly, through the so-called “EU4Health Programme” with 615 […]

The 2021 budget should focus on mitigating the effects of the pandemic and supporting the recovery, building on the Green Deal and digital transformation. Next year’s budget – the first of the 2021-2027 financing period – should “promote fair, inclusive and sustainable growth, high-quality job-creation and its long-term goal of socioeconomic convergence”, MEPs state in […]

Our aim is to protect the health of all European citizens. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need for more coordination in the EU, more resilient health systems, and better preparation for future crises. We are changing the way we address cross-border health threats. Today, we start building a European Health Union, to protect citizens […]

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen: In the wake of Monday’s promising announcement by BioNTech and Pfizer on the prospects for their vaccine, I’m very happy to announce today’s agreement with the European company BioNTech and Pfizer to purchase 300 million doses of the vaccine. With this fourth contract we are now […]

Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the Green Deal: To become the first climate-neutral continent, the European Union will have to cut all greenhouse gases. Methane is the second most powerful greenhouse gas and an important cause of air pollution. Our methane strategy ensures emissions cuts in all sectors, especially agriculture, energy, and waste. It also […]

Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights: Today, most employers know that investing in skills needs to be a key issue in their strategy. They realise that they cannot rely on governments alone to take the responsibility for education and training. The Pact for Skills will gather and inspire different commitments from companies large […]

This European week takes place as we are paving the way to Kunming. We need and we want a successful outcome of the global biodiversity negotiations. Biodiversity is at the heart of the future of our planet. The most active ones are mobilising and rallying the other generations. Active are mayors and local politicians, because […]