Three texts were highly controversial until the end of the negotiations. In the early hours of Sunday morning, negotiators agreed on a fund for damages and losses, a roadmap for greenhouse gas mitigation, and the COP27 policy framework decision.
By Lukas Knigge
With IRIS2, the EU has cleared the way for a satellite-based secure communications network. France and Germany have different priorities.
By Corinna Visser
The EU Commission is currently creating the internal structures to enforce the new competition rules for digital groups. Informal talks with the companies are already underway. There is little room left for national competition regulators.
By Till Hoppe
In addition to more reliable trading partners and more mining in Europe, the development of a circular economy in particular should secure the EU's supply of critical raw materials. At Raw Materials Week in Brussels this week, the word was out from all sides: Recycling is the solution – but the industry is not yet ready.
By Leonie Düngefeld
The European cap on gas trading is to apply to only part of the market, according to new key points from the Commission. In it, the executive claims the power to suspend the price limit at any time. To appease the Council, however, there are already building blocks for a legislative text.
By Manuel Berkel
Member states are to increase excise taxes on tobacco and tobacco-related products sharply. In Germany, the minimum tax on cigarettes would double, and on cigars and cigarillos, it would increase by a factor of nine. The Commission's proposal is due on Dec. 7.
By Markus Grabitz
In its search for reliable raw materials partners, the EU also wants to increase cooperation with Ukraine. After all, 22 of the 30 raw materials critical to the EU are stored there. In an interview with Leonie Düngefeld, Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the Commission, explains how this will prepare the ground for reconstruction – and how the EU also wants to mark strategic projects in other third countries.
By Leonie Düngefeld
Germany and other countries, such as the Netherlands, have objections to the EU Commission's ideas for new fiscal rules. They fear that the planned analysis of debt sustainability will cause disputes between governments.
By Till Hoppe
The DSA is supposed to bring more transparency and control over what happens on major online platforms and search engines. To achieve this, the Commission needs new staff and is therefore establishing a new team of experts.
By Corinna Visser
Washington and Moscow are talking to each other again about the war in Ukraine. But in Brussels, there are hardly any signs of willingness to talk. The EU is siding more uncompromisingly than ever with Ukraine, as two meetings of foreign and defense ministers show.
By Eric Bonse
