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The EU has launched a new online debate where young people from all over Europe can discuss major themes, building on the recent Youth Policy Dialogues. A new survey and a fresh EU Youth Report also showcase young people's views about the EU and how they contribute to EU policy-making.

The EU has given the green light to 47 projects that will help ensure European extraction, processing and recycling of strategic raw materials meet 10%, 40% and 25% of EU's demand by 2030. The projects are based in 13 EU countries and will increase and diversify access to raw materials in the EU.

New driving licence rules have been agreed on that will see driving licences accessible on smartphones; a minimum two-year probationary period for new drivers and 18-year-old drivers permitted to drive trucks. The updated EU rules will improve road safety in Europe.

A new EU survey confirms historic levels of approval of EU membership among EU citizens. They expect the EU to increase competitiveness, security and defence to protect them and reinforce the EU’s position in the world. Nine in ten want EU countries to act more united to face global challenges.

At the EU summit, leaders focused on the EU’s economic agenda and stressed that the need to invest in defence is closely interlinked with the EU’s competitiveness. They also linked the latest developments in Ukraine, the Middle East, as well as multilateralism and migration.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the EU has called for renewed action to ensure that the Convention on the elimination of racial discrimination is fully upheld worldwide. Despite progress, racism continues to be an obstacle to justice and equality in society.

The EU has adopted a new strategy to channel savings into productive investments. For households, this means more and safer opportunities to invest in capital markets and increase their wealth. For businesses, it ensures easier access to capital to innovate, grow and create good jobs in Europe.

To improve our security in the face of rapid geopolitical shifts, the EU has issued a defence package that will strengthen our defence capabilities. It has outlined its vision to rearm Europe and proposed a plan to mobilise up to €800 billion to finance increased defence spending.

The EU has been swift to respond to North Macedonia’s request for help evacuating 15 people with severe burns following a fire in a nightclub in Kocani that killed 59 people and injured 155. Several patients have been taken to Hungary by Luxembourg and Romania is transporting patients to Lithuania.

Ahead of World Consumer Rights Day on March 15, new data finds that 70% of Europeans trust that their consumer rights are respected by traders. However, it also shows that online risks for consumers persist, including scams, fake reviews, and misleading advertising practices.

Get an overview of what the EU achieved in 2024 in its latest general activities report. From the EU’s response to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine to strengthening our economic competitiveness, the report guides you through the year’s key achievements. It also covers 2024’s European elections.

Parliament has called on the EU to act urgently and ensure its own security in view of the security threat posed by Russia and its allies and uncertainty over the Trump administration. It favours strengthening relationships with like-minded partners and increasing efforts in the defence sector.

Following the imposition of unjustified US tariffs on EU steel and aluminium imports, the EU has responded with proportionate countermeasures on US imports into the EU. They will apply to US goods exports worth up to €26 billion, matching the economic scope of the US tariffs.

In recent years EU countries have faced severe medicine shortages, meaning patients don't always have access to the medicines they need. To tackle this, the Commission has proposed the Critical Medicines Act, which will support manufacturing and improve availability in the EU.

The European Commission has proposed to help EU countries increase return rates while fully respecting fundamental rights by establishing a common EU return system. Return rates across the EU stand today at around 20 percent. The system will complement the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Ensuring Europe’s competitiveness and security is top of the EU agenda for the next few years. The European Commission has taken important steps towards meetings these goals in its first 100 days in office. See what they have achieved so far.

A screening by the European Commission and national consumer protection authorities finds that nearly half of second-hand online traders fail to correctly inform consumers of their return rights. Consumer authorities will now decide whether to take action against those traders in breach of EU law.

At the Special European Council, EU leaders committed to strengthening the EU's defence readiness and capabilities. They also called for increased military support for Ukraine and set out principles for a lasting peace.

Ahead of International Women's Day, read about the European Commission's plans to strengthen women's rights and ensure gender equality by working to eliminate the structural discrimination they face.