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</div> <div class="ecl-site-header__banner"></div> <div id="block-ewcms-theme-horizontal-menu"> <nav class="ecl-menu" data-ecl-menu data-ecl-menu-max-lines="2" data-ecl-auto-init="Menu" data-ecl-menu-label-open="Menu" data-ecl-menu-label-close="Close" aria-expanded="false" role="navigation" aria-label="Site navigation" ><div class="ecl-menu__overlay"></div><div class="ecl-container ecl-menu__container"><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--tertiary ecl-menu__open ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-open aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--m ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#hamburger"></use></svg><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--s ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use 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focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg><span class="ecl-button__label" data-ecl-label="true">Next items</span></span></button><ul class="ecl-menu__list" data-ecl-menu-list><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--current" data-ecl-menu-item id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-0"><a href="/index_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link ecl-menu__link--current" data-untranslated-label="Home" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-0-link" >Home</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-1"><a href="/principles-countries-history_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Principles, countries, history" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-1-link" >Principles, countries, history</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-1-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/principles-and-values_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Principles and values" >Principles and values</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/facts-and-figures-european-union_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Facts and figures on the European Union " >Facts and figures on the European Union </a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-countries_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU countries" >EU countries</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-enlargement_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU enlargement" >EU enlargement</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/history-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="History of the EU" >History of the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/symbols_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Symbols" >Symbols</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/languages_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Languages" >Languages</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-made-easy_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU made easy" >EU made easy</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/principles-countries-history_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use 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xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Institutions and bodies" >Institutions and bodies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/leadership_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Leadership " >Leadership </a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/law_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Law" >Law</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/budget_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Budget" >Budget</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/institutions-law-budget/euro_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="The Euro" >The Euro</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/institutions-law-budget_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-3"><a href="/priorities-and-actions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Priorities and actions" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-3-link" >Priorities and actions</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-3-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/eu-priorities_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU priorities" >EU priorities</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/actions-topic_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Actions by topic" >Actions by topic</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/european-years_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="European years" >European years</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/priorities-and-actions/eu-support-ukraine_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="EU support for Ukraine" >EU support for Ukraine</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/priorities-and-actions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use 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xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/living-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Living in the EU" >Living in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/travelling-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Travelling in the EU" >Travelling in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/participate-interact-vote_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Participate, interact, vote" >Participate, interact, vote</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/immigration-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Immigration to the EU" >Immigration to the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/working-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Working in the EU" >Working in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/doing-business-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Doing business in the EU" >Doing business in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/import-and-export_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Import and export" >Import and export</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/funding-grants-subsidies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Funding, grants, subsidies" >Funding, grants, subsidies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/public-contracts_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Public contracts" >Public contracts</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/studying-and-training-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Studying and training in the EU" >Studying and training in the EU</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/live-work-study/jobs-and-traineeships-eu-institutions_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Jobs and traineeships in EU institutions" >Jobs and traineeships in EU institutions</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/live-work-study_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-5"><a href="/news-and-events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="News and events" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-5-link" >News and events</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-5-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Events" >Events</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/news-and-stories_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Featured news" >Featured news</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/news-and-events/press-releases_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Latest news from EU institutions and bodies" >Latest news from EU institutions and bodies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/news-and-events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></li></ul></div></li><li class="ecl-menu__item ecl-menu__item--has-children" data-ecl-menu-item data-ecl-has-children aria-haspopup aria-expanded="false" id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-6"><a href="/contact-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__link" data-untranslated-label="Contact the EU" data-ecl-menu-link id="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-6-link" >Contact the EU</a><button class="ecl-button ecl-button--ghost ecl-menu__button-caret ecl-button--icon-only" type="button" data-ecl-menu-caret aria-label="Access item's children" aria-describedby="ecl-menu-item-ecl-menu-69504187-6-link" aria-expanded="false" ><span class="ecl-button__container"><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-button__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" data-ecl-icon><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#corner-arrow"></use></svg></span></button><div class="ecl-menu__mega" data-ecl-menu-mega ><ul class="ecl-menu__sublist"><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/write-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Write to us" >Write to us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/call-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Call us" >Call us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/meet-us_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Meet us" >Meet us</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/institutions-and-bodies-profiles_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Contact details: institutions, bodies and agencies" >Contact details: institutions, bodies and agencies</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/visit-european-union-institution_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Visit a European Union institution" >Visit a European Union institution</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/europe-and-worldwide-offices_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Europe and worldwide offices" >Europe and worldwide offices</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/make-complaint_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Make a complaint" >Make a complaint</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/press-contacts_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Press contacts" >Press contacts</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem" data-ecl-menu-subitem ><a href="/contact-eu/social-media-channels_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-menu__sublink" data-untranslated-label="Social media channels" >Social media channels</a></li><li class="ecl-menu__subitem ecl-menu__see-all"><a href="/contact-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon ecl-menu__sublink" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See all</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use 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<div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_8"></a> <div> <section class="ecl-banner ecl-banner--m ecl-banner--font-m ecl-banner--box-bg-light ecl-banner--color-dark ecl-banner--h-left ecl-banner--v-center ecl-banner--full-width" data-ecl-banner data-ecl-auto-init="Banner" ><figure class="ecl-banner__picture-container"><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-banner__picture" data-ecl-banner-image ><source srcset="https://european-union.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_small_4_1_banner/public/2023-10/peace-dove2.png.webp?itok=forvwW__" media="(max-width: 480px)" ><source srcset="https://european-union.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_medium_4_1_banner/public/2023-10/peace-dove2.png.webp?itok=RmynEArW" media="(max-width: 768px)" ><source srcset="https://european-union.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_large_4_1_banner/public/2023-10/peace-dove2.png.webp?itok=NuPbG2nP" media="(max-width: 996px)" ><source 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class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__title ecl-col-12"><h2 class='ecl-u-type-heading-2'>Discover the EU</h2></div></div><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 last-item-column"><article class="ecl-card" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-card__picture" data-ecl-picture-link ><img class="ecl-card__image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-08/History-of-the-EU_2.jpg?h=ef1d7280&itok=0kwyyRHW" alt="" ></picture><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/history-eu_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >History of the EU</a></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 last-item-column"><article class="ecl-card" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-card__picture" data-ecl-picture-link ><img class="ecl-card__image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-08/EU-countries_2_0.jpg?h=ef1d7280&itok=9GsAkAha" alt="" ></picture><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-countries_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >EU countries</a></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 last-item-column last-item"><article class="ecl-card" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-card__picture" data-ecl-picture-link ><img class="ecl-card__image" src="/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-08/institutions-and-bodies_2.jpg?h=ef1d7280&itok=Br_lYEAH" alt="" ></picture><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >Institutions and bodies</a></div></div></div></article></div></div></div> </div> <div class="ewcms-page-section ecl-u-mb-2xl ecl-u-bg-primary-5"> <div class="ecl-container ecl-u-pv-m"> <a id="paragraph_1673"></a> <div class="ecl"><h2>Featured news</h2><p><em>All featured news are available in the 24 EU official languages via machine translation.</em></p></div> </div> <div class="ecl-container ecl-u-pv-m"> <a id="paragraph_1719"></a> <div id="block-latestnewsandstorieshomepage" class="ecl-u-mt-l"> <div class="ecl-content-item-block"><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 last-item-column"><article class="ecl-card" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-picture--zoom ecl-card__picture" data-ecl-picture-link ><img class="ecl-card__image" src="https://european-union.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/avportal/P-064266/00-12.jpg?itok=yjzV9T0t" alt="EU pre-positioning Romanian firefighters in France " ></picture><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><ul class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-container"><li class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-item">News article</li><li class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-item"><time datetime="2024-11-19T12:00:00Z">19 November 2024</time></li></ul><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/2023-among-five-worst-years-wildfires-europe-2024-provides-some-relief-2024-11-19_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >2023 among the five worst years for wildfires in Europe</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"><p>The 2023 wildfire season ranks among the EU's worst in over two decades, fuelled by climate change. Fires devastated vast areas, threatening ecosystems and lives. As fire risks rise, Europe must prevent and prepare for intensifying wildfire seasons.</p></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 last-item-column"><article class="ecl-card" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-picture--zoom ecl-card__picture" data-ecl-picture-link ><img class="ecl-card__image" src="https://european-union.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-03/Children-working-at-construction-site.png?h=252f27fa&itok=JpO8BMLZ" alt="Child carrying two buckets on a construction site" ></picture><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><ul class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-container"><li class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-item">News article</li><li class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-item"><time datetime="2024-11-19T12:00:00Z">19 November 2024</time></li></ul><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/eu-adopts-ban-products-made-forced-labour-2024-11-19_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >EU adopts ban on products made with forced labour</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"><p>EU ministers have adopted EU rules prohibiting products in the EU market that are made using forced labour. The text forbids the placing and making available on the EU market, or the export from this market, of any product made using forced labour.</p></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-4 last-item-column last-item"><article class="ecl-card" ><picture class="ecl-picture ecl-picture--zoom ecl-card__picture" data-ecl-picture-link ><img class="ecl-card__image" src="https://european-union.europa.eu/sites/default/files/styles/oe_theme_ratio_3_2_medium/public/2024-11/Gender-pay-gap_webnews.jpg?h=ef1d7280&itok=kPe8-aLk" alt="Portrait of a blond woman in warehouse of a metal factory" ></picture><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><ul class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-container"><li class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-item">News article</li><li class="ecl-content-block__primary-meta-item"><time datetime="2024-11-15T12:00:00Z">15 November 2024</time></li></ul><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="https://commission.europa.eu/news/pay-attention-gender-pay-gap-2024-11-15_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >Pay attention to the gender pay gap</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"><p>15 November is the EU鈥檚 Equal Pay Day, the day when women in Europe symbolically stop to be paid compared to men. Women in the EU earn on average 13% less than their male counterparts. The EU is working to close this pay gap.聽</p></div></div></div></article></div></div><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__button ecl-col-12"><div class="ecl-u-clearfix ecl-u-pv-m"><a href="/news-and-events_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone ecl-link--icon" ><span class="ecl-link__label">See more news and events</span><svg class="ecl-icon ecl-icon--xs ecl-icon--rotate-180 ecl-link__icon" focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" ><use xlink:href="/themes/contrib/oe_theme/dist/eu/images/icons/sprites/icons.svg#arrow-left"></use></svg></a></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ecl-u-mb-2xl"> <a id="paragraph_1625"></a> <div id="block-homepagediscovermore" class="ecl-u-mt-l"> <h2 class="ecl-u-type-heading-2">Learn more</h2> <div class="ecl-content-item-block"><div class="ecl-row"><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-6 "><article class="ecl-card" ><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/principles-and-values_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >Principles and values</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"><p>The common principles and values that underlie life in the EU: freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law, promoting peace and stability.</p></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-6 "><article class="ecl-card" ><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/priorities-and-actions/eu-priorities/european-union-priorities-2024-2029_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >European Union priorities 2024-2029</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"><p>Discover the EU鈥檚 priorities for 2024-2029, promoting a free and democratic Europe, developing a strong and secure Europe, establishing a prosperous and competitive Europe.</p></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-6 "><article class="ecl-card" ><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/facts-and-figures-european-union_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >Facts and figures on the European Union </a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"><p>Find out how many EU Member States there are, how big the EU economy is, how people live in the EU, and other useful facts about the EU.</p></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-6 "><article class="ecl-card" ><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/achievements_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >Achievements</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"><p>Discover what the EU does for citizens, how it protects rights, promotes prosperity and strives to make the world a safer place.</p></div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-6 last-item-column"><article class="ecl-card" ><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="https://europa.eu/learning-corner/home_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" > Learning corner</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description">Teaching material, games and much more about the European Union and its activities, for children, teenagers, teachers and parents.</div></div></div></article></div><div class="ecl-content-item-block__item contextual-region ecl-u-mb-l ecl-col-12 ecl-col-l-6 last-item-column last-item"><article class="ecl-card" ><div class="ecl-card__body"><div class="ecl-content-block ecl-card__content-block" data-ecl-auto-init="ContentBlock" data-ecl-content-block ><div class="ecl-content-block__title"data-ecl-title-link><a href="/principles-countries-history/eu-made-easy_en" class="ecl-link ecl-link--standalone" >EU made easy</a></div><div class="ecl-content-block__description"><p>Learn more about the EU in these handy publications on how the EU works, from the euro and law, to history and travel.</p></div></div></div></article></div></div></div> 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