Filter by
Latest news (1987)
RSS![](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/20240319_near_days_vdl.jpg?h=3873714b&itok=nBtK-4bQ)
Dear Gert-Jan, dear colleagues, I am really glad that this year, you decided to bring together the whole DG NEAR family, including colleagues in headquarters and in our 23 Delegations across the region. Because today, more than ever before, DG NEAR stands at the heart of the European Commission
![EU flags](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-10/20221014_eu_flags.jpg?itok=h11nNNE6)
The Commission announced the winners of the 10th edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators.
![](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/EU-Egypt-joint-declaration.png?h=6a1f22b2&itok=i7w7Z0K7)
The Arab Republic of Egypt and the European Union have mutually agreed to elevate their relationship to the level of a strategic and comprehensive partnership, based on the values of equity and on mutual respect and trust.
![European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN together with the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Italy, Greece, Cyprus and the Austrian Chancellor in Cairo, Egypt](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/20240317_ps.jpg?h=3873714b&itok=cImPLAMf)
Thank you very much, Mr President, for your warm welcome and hospitality. I am very glad to be back in Cairo. The partnership between the European Union and Egypt is of critical importance. The presence of six European Leaders today shows how deeply we value our relationship.
![EU, Ukrainian and Moldovan flags](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-12/20221209_flags.jpg?itok=gu4GCJhQ)
Tomorrow marks the second anniversary of the successful emergency synchronisation of Ukraine's and Moldova's electricity grid to the Continental European Network. This operation is a very tangible example of the EU's immediate support to Ukraine and Moldova in the aftermath of Russia's invasion.
![EU Egypt flags](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2020-09/eu_egypt_flags.jpg?itok=gl_GpJeb)
La présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, se rendra dimanche au Caire, accompagnée du Premier ministre belge, Alexander de Croo, du Premier ministre grec, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, et de la Premier ministre italienne, Georgia Meloni. La présidente et les trois premiers ministres
![President von der Leyen](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/20240312_vdl.jpg?h=3873714b&itok=SxXVAvNe)
Thank you very much Madam President, dear Roberta, Minister, dear Hadja, Honourable Members, Indeed, we are heading towards a packed European Council, with topics, as you said, ranging from Ukraine to the Middle East, from defence to enlargement. I want to focus on two topics today...
![](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/College_meeting_BiH_web.jpg?h=3e46c97a&itok=pvB6cXhT)
Today, the European Commission recommended to open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and discussed the upcoming oral report to the Council on the progress made by Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova to address the outstanding steps made in the Commission's Enlargement report...
![](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/IMG_3825.jpeg?h=48ca9a04&itok=uFByQMZc)
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with innocent Palestinian families and children desperate for basic necessities.
![International Women's Day](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/20240307_womens_day.jpg?h=3873714b&itok=K6SZyoYX)
To mark International Women's Day, the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President make the following statement: “Today, the percentage of women in politics is still far from being representative of our diverse societies. The overall proportion of female members in single or low
![EU flag](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-06/eu_flag_02.jpg?itok=l0U1-4T2)
The Commission has now contracted €81 million out of the overall humanitarian aid allocation of €125 million and is working on its disbursement to humanitarian partner organisations.
![EU, Ukrainian and Moldovan flags](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-12/20221209_flags.jpg?itok=gu4GCJhQ)
The proposals, sent to the Council, include updates to the agreement with Ukraine to improve its practical implementation and enforcement while maintaining its objectives and scope. The original agreements were signed in June 2022 and later extended until end of June 2024.
![EU – Azerbaijan](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2019-06/aze-eu.jpg?h=0cb5e701&itok=KyWUJ5Qs)
The 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Green Energy Advisory Council took place in Baku last Friday, co-chaired by Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. The meeting was an important moment for strengthening our partnership in the field of renewable energy…
![](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/IMG_3814.jpeg?h=f28f3929&itok=krf5y_Gw)
L'Union européenne poursuit son engagement auprès de la Tunisie à travers le déboursement d'un soutien financier sous forme d'appui budgétaire d'une valeur de 150 millions d'euros au profit de la Tunisie…
![EU flag](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-06/eu_flag_02.jpg?itok=l0U1-4T2)
Today, the Commission has decided to allocate an additional EUR 68 million to support the Palestinian population across the region to be implemented through international partners like the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.
![Commissioner Várhelyi](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/20240301_commissioner.jpg?h=3873714b&itok=19oAOwxy)
Thank you so much, Prime Minister. You may recall that it was only last November that we made this proposal, but I can also share a secret with you that the very basic idea of this whole growth plan was largely conceived here in this town, in previous discussions we had with the Prime Minister
![EU flags](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-10/20221014_eu_flags.jpg?itok=h11nNNE6)
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) are boosting their support for underserved micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the Western Balkans and Türkiye.
![EU flags](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-10/20221014_eu_flags.jpg?itok=h11nNNE6)
With initial funding of €6 million in 2024, the EU will help civil protection authorities of EU Member States, EU Civil Protection Mechanism Participating States, and Georgia and Kosovo to bolster their capacity to achieve the Disaster Resilience Goals.
![Vdl](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-02/1000000057.jpg?h=ac778ff2&itok=PDYbeMRf)
Madam President,
Mr State Secretary,
Honourable Members,
In the last years, many European illusions have been shattered. The illusion that peace is permanent. The illusion that economic prosperity might matter more to Putin than destroying a free and democratic Ukraine.
![EU flags](https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2022-10/20221014_eu_flags.jpg?itok=h11nNNE6)
Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi will be in Montenegro and Albania this week, from Tuesday, 27 February to Thursday, 29 February to continue discussions on key reforms needed in order to access funding under the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and progress