The Commission adopts its May infringement procedures

To ensure citizens and businesses fully benefit from the European Unions legislation, the Commission maintains constant dialogue with Member States to ensure compliance with EU law. It can initiate infringement procedures against Member States in the event of non-compliance.

The decisions taken today include 38 letters of formal notice and 58 reasoned opinions. The Commission also decided to refer 18 cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union. Finally, the Commission decided to close 83 cases where Member States, in cooperation with the Commission, have resolved an infringement and ensured compliance with EU law.

The decisions and corresponding press releases are available online. More information on the EU infringement procedure can be found in the following Q&A.
(For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Kristyna Eeckels – Tel.: +32 2 295 10 65)

The European Commission welcomes the final approval of the 2023 EU budget execution by the European Parliament

The European Commission welcomes the final approval by the European Parliament of how the EU budget was executed in 2023. The vote granting the discharge to the Commission is recognition that the EU funds were spent in accordance with the rules, protecting the budget from fraudsters and supporting citizens and businesses.

In 2023, the EU budget was particularly important in supporting the Unions political priorities and responding to geopolitical challenges. As highlighted by Commissioner Serafin: « the Commission is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability ». Other highlights of this year included the progress of key reforms and investments in Member States under the recovery and resilience facility, as well as the Commissions proposal for a mid-term review of the multiannual financial framework, adopted in early 2024. This review was essential to address urgent challenges, such as Russias unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.

The annual budget discharge is the final approval by the European Parliament of how the European Commission has implemented the Unions budget in a given year, in cooperation with Member States. Following the vote on the discharge, the budget cycle is closed. The European Parliament grants discharge on the recommendation of the Council, which allows the European Parliament and the Council to exercise democratic control over how taxpayers money is spent.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78 ; Isabel Otero Barderas - Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)

Erasmus+ receives prestigious award for its contribution to European integration

Erasmus+, the European Union programme supporting education, training, youth and sport, is receiving the 2025 European Integration Award from Cercle dEconomia. The programme has helped modernise and internationalise education across Europe, not only through mobility, but also through deeper cooperation between higher education institutions across Europe and beyond.

Erasmus+ embodies what European integration means for citizens and the foundational principles of the European Union: free movement and open exchange between peoples. To date, the programme has provided learning opportunities to more than 16 million people. It continues to support the acquisition of skills for all, from learners to staff, in all sectors and at all levels of education and training. The Erasmus+ Programme contributes to creating and strengthening a common identity based on our shared European values, such as respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

The award for European Integration was created in 2020, by the Cercle dEconomia. Previous recipients include former President of the European Central Bank and former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi (2020) and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen (2022). The award will be presented by Jaume Guardiola, President of Cercle dEconomia, and Salvador Illa, President of Catalonia.

More information on the Erasmus+ Programme is available here. 

(For more information: Eva Hrnčířová – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès – Tel.: +32 291 32 83)