The European Commission opened Private Storage Aid for butter, Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP) and certain cheeses in order to alleviate the impact of Russian restrictions on imports of EU dairy products and to limit the negative effects on the internal market.
The European Commission (EC) has decided to sanction Spain and nine other Member States for exceeding their fishing quotas during the past financial year, and reduce their fishing opportunities for 2014. This measure is intended to repair the damage caused to resources and in this way ensure the sustainable capture of resources.
President Dilma Rousseff claimed before the Brazil's farmers lobby that the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union is stalled and is not fulfilled because of the 'resistance' from several European countries, and specifically named France, Hungary and Ireland.
Foreign minister Federica Mogherini pledged that under the current Italian presidency of the European Union, top priority will be given to signing the pending trade agreements, among which that with Mercosur still under discussion.
The European Commission has informed the British Government that it has found no breach of EU environmental laws in the activities carried out by the Gibraltar Government including bunkering activities, the Eastside or Sovereign Bay project and, in particular, the Artificial Reef System in North-West British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
The president of the European Commission (EC), Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, called on Friday for concluding negotiations and finalizing a free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Germany’s candidate, Luxembourg’s Jean-Claude Juncker was elected on Tuesday President of the European Commission by a strong majority of 422 votes in the European Parliament plenary session. After being proposed as candidate for Commission President by the European Council on 27 June 2014, Juncker needed a majority of 376 votes in the European Parliament.
European Union (EU) meat production is projected to start growing in 2014, according to the European Commission, as Europe’s economic recovery solidifies. This could represent an increase of 0.7% year-on-year for beef, veal, pork, poultry, sheep and goat meat.
UK Minister for Europe David Lidington welcomed Thursday’s return visit to Gibraltar by the European Commission to review progress towards addressing delays at the Gibraltar-Spain Border. Lidington recently visited Gibraltar to check the situation at the border and incursions by Spanish vessels of the Rock's waters.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she wants former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker to become the next EU Commission president. But some European leaders have voiced opposition to the move, including the British government who argue that Mr. Juncker is too much of an EU federalist and called for a lengthy process to find consensus.