Brussels: Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis has embarked on a three-day official visit to Croatia, with discussions focusing on sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and EU funding projects. The visit, which is part of the European Commission’s broader efforts to enhance regional cooperation, includes meetings with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries David Vlajcic. Additionally, Commissioner Kadis plans to engage with industry leaders, representatives from the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, non-governmental organizations, and aquaculture clusters to explore challenges and opportunities within the sector. A notable highlight of the visit is a tour of the Bri‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¡¬¦¾ine Fishing Port, a project funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, emphasizing the EU’s commitment to modernizing coastal infrastructure. The visit is s
et to conclude with a significant address to the Croatian Parliament, emphasizing the need for alignment between national priorities and EU strategies.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the European Commission has also approved a substantial disbursement of £4.1 billion to four EU Member States under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, a pivotal component of NextGenerationEU. Greece is set to receive £2.1 billion to bolster areas such as healthcare, education, and renewable energy. Portugal will be allocated £1.06 billion for healthcare, housing, and renewable energy advancements. Austria is to benefit from £515.5 million aimed at enhancing working conditions in the long-term care system, while Slovenia is expected to receive £439.7 million to support long-term care and digital education initiatives.
Additionally, the European Commission has requested information from Shein under the Digital Services Act, following indications of illegal products being sold on the platform. The Commission is seeking detailed information on how Shein mitigates systemic risks, particularly the exposure of minors to inappropriate content and the sale of illegal goods. This request signifies the third formal inquiry sent to Shein by the Commission.
In another significant development, the European Commission has welcomed a provisional agreement on new EU legislation aimed at improving the welfare of dogs and cats. The legislation seeks to establish uniform welfare standards across the EU, promote responsible ownership, and combat illegal trade. Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Oliver Varheyli, emphasized the importance of enforceable standards for the welfare of pets across Europe.
The European Commission has also launched the EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme, a legislative act aimed at reversing the decline of pollinator populations by 2030. This initiative is crucial for safeguarding biodiversity, food security, and nature’s resilience. The scheme provides a standardized method for monitoring pollinator diversity and populations, ensuring reliable data collection across Member States.
Furthermore, President von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament plenary debate on the EU’s position towards achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Emphasizing the need for Europe to maintain pressure on Russia, von der Leyen outlined priorities for ensuring Ukraine’s security and sovereignty, securing financial support, and guaranteeing the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The President stressed the importance of a robust security architecture for Europe and reiterated the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s European future.