European Union

EP President Sassoli: “Without rules, the strongest will prevail and the weakest will be excluded”.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The European Union's top court has no jurisdiction to settle a long-running border dispute between EU members Slovenia and Croatia, the European Court of Justice ruled on Friday (31 January), possibly complicating Zagreb's plan to join the passport-free Schengen area.

The European Commission will aim to “absolutely decouple” economic growth from natural resource use in a draft circular economy action plan due to be unveiled in March.

The EU's top court ruled on Friday that it had no jurisdiction to settle a border dispute between Slovenia and Croatia. Slovenia had argued that its fellow EU member could be sued under EU law because it was not implementing a 2017 border ruling by the intergovernmental arbitration court in The Hague. The European Court of Justice said that the two states were required to find a solution between themselves.

The distribution of seats in the Parliament has been modified following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Check out the numbers in our infographic.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The distribution of seats in the Parliament has been modified following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Check out the numbers in our infographic.

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

On 5 February, Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi will present proposals for a revised enlargement methodology to the foreign affairs MEPs. The new methodology comes amid disappointment with the Council's failure to agree on opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania and is expected to enhance credibility and give new impetus to the enlargement process.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

As of February 1, Britain will officially no longer be a member of the EU. This also means that the United Kingdom ceases to have any say in Brussels. During the transition period which lasts until the end of 2020, much will remain the same as regards border traffic and trade. European media discuss what stance the EU should adopt vis-à-vis Britain and which party will suffer most in the aftermath.

In view of growing numbers of migrants reaching the Greek islands from Turkey, Athens has announced plans to build floating fences. In a first step a three-kilometre barrier that protrudes half a metre out of the water and is lined with flashing lights will be erected off Lesbos. The cost is estimated at half a million euros. Commentators are unimpressed by the idea.

Fierce protests broke out in the Romanian village of Ditrău after a local bread factory hired two bakers from Sri Lanka, with protesters calling for measures to stop the "migrant influx". According to media reports the two men have already left the area after being threatened. The regional press condemn the incident but call for understanding for the deep-rooted fears behind the hostility to foreigners.