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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.

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.

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.

The European Commission has presented an Action Plan for a thriving car industry that creates jobs, drives growth, and protects the environment. The Plan includes funding worth €1.8 billion to create a secure and competitive supply chain for battery raw materials.

The Union of Skills focuses on delivering higher levels of basic skills, providing lifelong opportunities for adults to regularly upskill and reskill, making recruitment across the EU easier for businesses, and attracting and retaining the skills and talents needed in the EU.

Rare diseases represent a big challenge for healthcare systems due to the limited knowledge available to diagnose them and the limited number of treatment options. The EU is facilitating knowledge sharing and access to specialised care to improve patient access to diagnosis, information and care.

The new Clean Industrial Deal outlines concrete actions to turn decarbonisation into a driver of growth for European industries. It's a bold business plan to support the competitiveness of EU industry, decarbonise faster and secure the future of manufacturing in Europe.

High energy costs are hurting EU citizens and businesses. The Affordable Energy Action Plan sets out concrete measures to lower costs, complete the Energy Union, attract investments, and be better prepared for potential energy crises, to save €260 billion annually on energy by 2040.

On 25 February, the Europa website celebrates its 30th birthday. Once small enough to fit on a CD-Rom and available in 3 languages only, Europa has grown to be a web domain that includes 800 websites, is published in 24 languages and attracts 300 million visitors a year.

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU has condemned Russia’s unprovoked aggression, imposed wide-ranging sanctions, and offered unwavering support to Ukraine. The EU will stand with Ukraine until it achieves a just and lasting peace.

EU farmers who have lost income due to adverse climatic events or natural disasters are set to receive over €98 million from the EU’s agricultural reserve. The funds will be shared among farmers in Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia and Hungary who have all suffered due to extreme weather conditions.

A new vision for agriculture and food in the EU has been presented by the European Commission. It outlines the measures the EU will take to build an attractive, competitive, resilient, future-oriented and fair agri-food system in the coming years.