The Council gives preliminary approval to launch a joint EU naval mission in the Red Sea MEPs reject a proposal to increase the limit for a banned pesticide on imported goods The European Parliament calls for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza MEPs call on the Council to consider suspending Hungary’s voting rights Lawmakers in the Council and Parliament reach a deal on new anti-money laundering laws And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at ⁠⁠www.impact-media.be

Charles Michel announces intention to leave the Council to join the European Parliament Renew Europe rules out making an alliance with ECR Group European Commissioner calls on Taylor Swift to mobilise young votes EU advised to launch joint naval mission to protect ships in the Red Sea Renew Europe président Stéphane Séjourné appointed French foreign minister And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at ⁠www.impact-media.be

In this one-off episode, we’ll take a look back at the biggest stories from the EU institutions from 2023, and take a sneak peak at what to expect in 2024. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at ⁠www.impact-media.be

Donald Tusk promises to build a close relationship between Poland and the EU Parliament and Council make a deal to create European anti-money laundering authority European lawmakers agree on bill to protect gig workers MEPs call for Union-wide recognition of same-sex parenthood European leaders green light accession talks for Ukraine just hours before Orban blocks 50 billion aid fund And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Home Affairs Commissioner warns of huge terrorism risk in Europe over the Christmas period Commission proposes 3-year delay on tariffs for British electric vehicles Orban and Zelenskiy set to discuss Ukrainian accession ahead of crucial vote EU and South American leaders fail to finalise EU-Mercosur deal Spain’s Nadia Calviño appointed president of the European Investment Bank EU lawmakers strike a deal on the AI Act after 36 hours of negotiations And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Commission unveils 166 projects to drive the green energy transition The European Court of Justice rules workplace bans on religious symbols to be non-discriminatory Spanish presidency opens last minute negotiations between member states over innovative AI models Charles Michel calls on EU to bolster cybersecurity in defense overhaul Victor Orban says EU should enter strategic partnership with Ukraine before opening membership negotiations And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

European Parliament approves free trade deal with New Zealand MEPs endorse European Commission’s treaty reform proposal Lawmakers back proposal to limit packaging waste from 2030 Bill to reduce pesticide use rejected by European Parliament Hungary to receive 920 million euros in recovery funds without rule of law conditions And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

EU lawmakers agree on 2024 budget EU agrees legal methane limits on gas imports European Commission proposes an online platform to match non-EU migrants with European employers Commission starts legal action against Greece for failing to update flood risk maps EU extends the approval of Glyphosate by 10 years EU becomes first international body to criminalise widespread environmental damage. And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Top EU lawmakers outline principles for the post-conflict future of Gaza Commission questions the legality of Italy’s migration deal with Albania Commission recommends accession talks to begin with Ukraine, Moldova and Bosnia Parliament approves controversial ‘Euro 7’ vehicle pollution limits Council and Parliament reach agreement on Nature Restoration Law Hungary calls on EU to investigate Bulgaria’s new tax on Russia gas shipments And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

France challenges the Commission over English-only hiring procedures The EU bans Meta from using user data for targeted ads Rotterdam court finds a Russian national guilty of circumventing EU sanctions Germany proposes EU candidate countries be given observer membership The EU commits to stringent and collaborative AI Safety Standards at AI Summit And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

European Parliament Environment Committee votes to cut pesticide usage Polish opposition leader Donald Tusk vows to improve relations between Brussels and Warsaw Kosovo and Serbia fail to make normalisation breakthrough during EU lead talks EU leaders call for ‘humanitarian pauses and corridors’ in Gaza Hungary and Slovakia voice concerns over 50 billion euro Ukraine recovery facility And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

European member states adopt their joint position ahead of the COP28 Summit MEPs approve a 50 billion euro recovery fund for Ukraine European Parliament votes for the digitalisation of Schengen visa applications MEPs call for 6.3 billion euros to be added to the 2024 EU budget TikTok and Meta given one week to outline measures to combat harmful content Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement awarded Sakharov Prize And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

EU reverses decision to cancel aid to Palestine EU joins American anti-subsidy probe into Chinese steel industry Commission unveils ’toolbox’ to address demographic changes in Europe EU launches 1.1 billion euro fund to eradicate polio Bid to renew the use of glyphosate fails to pass Council committee And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

The EU reveals 10 critical technologies that could pose a risk to EU security EU ambassadors reach deal on migration reform MEPs call for harmonisation on rights for individuals with autism Maroš Šefčovič and Wopke Hoekstra approved for top climate jobs by European Parliament Jean-Claude Juncker says Ukraine is still too corrupt to join EU EU leaders pledge to boost the EU’s economic resilience and security And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

European ministers weaken Commission emissions targets for cars and vans EU calls on Big Tech platforms to take misinformation seriously as European elections approach The European Commission may consider subsidies for nuclear technology Germany to reinstate controls on Czech and Polish borders EU interior ministers fail to agree on key aspect of the Migration Act The EU extends temporary protection for Ukrainians until 2025 And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Ukraine sues EU neighbours over grain import bans France seeks support from EU countries on minimum flight prices MEPs call for EU to revise the Schengen Code Parliament condemns Azerbaijan’s actions in Nagorno-Karabakh, but some MEPs say it’s not enough The European Commission asks the Polish government for ‘clarifications’ over cash-for-visa allegations And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be Editor's note: This week's episode was recorded while in transit -- and with a sore throat. Thank you for your patience. Next week we will return to our normal studio recording.

This week we discuss Ursula von der Leyen’s annual State of the European Union Speech Parliament confirms Iliana Ivanova as EU Commissioner for Innovation and Research Ursula von der Leyen promises European funding to rebuild areas of Greece affected by Storm Daniel MEPs back new regulations on sustainable aviation fuels Parliament approves new internal anti-corruption standards Tik Tok is fined by EU regulators for mishandling children’s data. And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager granted leave to run for EIB Presidency 6 Big Tech companies chosen to face new Digital Markets Act The UK rejoins Horizon Europe research programme Commission announces plans to roll out an EU-wide disability card European parliament committee approves new anti-corruption rules for MEPs Von der Leyen and Modi announce a project to link the EU, Middle East and India by rail and sea And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Charles Michel says that the EU must be ready to welcome new members by 2030 The European Commission nominates Wopke Hoekstra* as the new Commissioner for Climate The Wildfires in Greece are declare the largest in EU history The UK delays implementation post-Brexit import checks for the fifth time MEPs criticize the Council’s suggestion to cut the EU budget for 2024 EU foreign ministers prepare sanctions against Niger coup leaders And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel attend expansion talks with Balkan leaders Climate NGOs call for review of the Commission's annual emission allowances Australia offers access to the critical materials sector as part of potential free trade agreement The Digital Services Act comes into effect Dutch deputy prime minister put forward to replace Climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

In Q2 2023, business bankruptcies in the EU reached their highest level since 2015 Qualcomm's Autotalks deal needs EU antitrust nod despite low turnover the EU tackles teen smartphone addiction due to concerns over well-being Europe struggles to support green industries a year after the US introduced the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for climate technology support The EU's top court will rule on animal-related terms for plant-based foods, a concern for meat alternatives advocates And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

In this one-off episode, we’ll take a look back at the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, analysing its priorities, successes and challenges. Programming note: After this episode, we will take a one week break. We'll return on August 21st with stories that you might have missed over the summer holiday. A very special thanks to Abigail Osbourne, who researched and wrote this episode. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Agriculture and Fisheries Council discuss grain import-ban extension and new routes for Ukrainian produce The Council gives its final approval to the European Chips Act The Ombudsman launches a formal investigation into Frontex’s role in June’s migrant boat tragedy The European Commission investigates Microsoft over illegal bundling The EU imposes further sanctions against Belarus Programming note: This was the last week of planned activity in the European Parliament, Commission and Council before the institutions’ summer break. Normal work will resume in Brussels on Monday August 21st. Even with the institutions closed, we’ll be bringing you a special edition of the EU Currents podcast on Monday August 7th. In this one-off episode, we’ll look back on the Swedish Council presidency, analysing its priorities, successes and challenges. After that we’ll take one week’s break, before returning on the 21st with stories that you might have missed over the summer holiday. --- The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

European leaders announce a 45 billion euro investment package for Latin America and the Caribbean A Eurostat report reveals that household living standards have fallen despite low unemployment Five Central European member states as EU to prolong ban on Ukrainian grain American economics professor is offered, and turns down, top EU job amid backlash Frans Timmermans announces his departure from Brussels. And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

The Commission unveils its ‘Virtual Worlds’ initiative The nature restoration law is approved by the European Parliament Google’s ChatGPT competitor launches in the EU MEPs call on the EU to scale up search and rescue efforts Eurozone finance ministers agree to reduce spending for 2024 EU agrees to remove post-Fukushima restrictions on Japanese food imports And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

The Commission proposes changes to the General Data Protection Regulation Hungary and Poland have made little progress to repair rule-of-law according to Commission report The Renew Europe group is split over their campaign strategy Meta’s new app, Threads, does not launch in the EU MEPs urge Parliament to stop using Google Ads The Commission proposes that EU countries withdraw from the ‘outdated’ Energy Charter Treaty And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

The Nature Restoration Law survives Environment Committee stalemate EU institutions finalise on Data Act proposal The Commission unveils plans for digital euro The European Court of Justice rules that Ireland has broken conservation law EU leaders agree to continue security commitment to Ukraine The Commission announces vaccine deal with Pfizer for future pandemics And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

The Commission requests additional €65.8 billion for the long-term budget Commission unveils new trade doctrine to ban sensitive goods from being exported to hostile countries EU approves its 11th sanction package against Russia EU-lead talks between Kosovo and Serbia fail to make a breakthrough EU to require smartphones to have easily removable batteries from 2027 Foreign ministers say Ukraine and Moldova are on track for EU accession And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

European Council takes a position on Platform Workers Directive MEPs approve the AI Act EU and Chile announce hydrogen and lithium partnership MEPs support ban on planned obsolescence and destruction of unsold goods Nature Restoration law narrowly passes through crucial European Parliament vote Thierry Breton calls on member states to ban Huawei and ZTE from 5G networks And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

The Court of Justice of the European Union rules that Poland has breached EU law Eurobarometer reveals that just 54% of European are satisfied with democracy in the EU The EU looks to renew trade ties with Latin America The Commission unveils 1.23 billion euro mental health package The Commission proposes a new ethics body to set standards of conduct for institution staff The Council reaches an agreement on revising EU asylum policy. And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Twitter could be banned in Europe if it refuses to comply with EU law European Commision issues internal guidelines on the use of ChatGPT EPP walks out of negotiations on nature restoration law MEPs question whether Hungary is fit to hold EU presidency European Parliament approves flagship corporate sustainability proposal Eurozone inflation falls to its lowest level since the invasion of Ukraine And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Meta is fined 1.2 billion euros for mishandling European data Tens of thousands gather for pro-EU rally in Moldova The EU’s nature restoration plan faces double rejection from MEPs OpenAI CEO says the company may leave Europe over the upcoming AI Act The Commission renegotiates its vaccine deal with Pfizer EU Employment Commissioner backs the four-day work week And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Environment Commissioner calls on member states to support flagship biodiversity law  The EU and UK agree to increase cooperation to address small boat crossings of the English Channel  The EU will join the European Convention on Human Rights Hungary threatens to block sanctions against Russia and military aid for Ukraine France delays renewable energy directive at the last minute over nuclear derived hydrogen Moldova aims to join the EU ‘as soon as possible.’ And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be Thank you for your patience with the audio quality this week while our narrator is on holiday. We will return to the studio next week.

Olaf Schotlz calls for an ‘enlarged and reformed’ EU The European Parliament votes to ratify the Istanbul Convention The UK government abandons plans to scrap 4000 EU laws by the end the year MEPs vote to ban public facial recognition systems as part of the AI Act Most EU countries failed to fulfil their pledges to resettle refugees in 2022 The EU plans to adjust its policy towards China And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

19 countries warn against pharmaceutical dependency on China The Commission proposes to tighten and standardise EU anti-corruption law The Commission withholds blocked funds from Hungary, despite judicial reform 9 EU countries form a group to reform voting rules on foreign and security policy The ECB raises interest rates to 3.75% The EPP rejects 2 key Green Deal proposals And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

EU countries vote to reform the carbon market Six countries call for concrete legislation to tackle microplastics The European Commission proposes measures to make medicines more accessible The Commission proposes legislation to regulate generative AI tools EU member states vote to extend the suspension of tariffs on Ukrainian grain And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

The EU’s ambassador to Sudan is attacked in his home The European Parliament approves visa liberalisation for Kosovo The Parliament votes to ban products linked to deforestation The Commission fails to win over Eastern European farmers in talks to lift the ban on Ukrainian grain The European Parliament approves its first set of rules governing the crypto assets market The Parliament votes to overhaul the EU’s migrant sharing system And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron return from China The EU Cohesion Fund may exacerbate inequalities in Europe’s poorest regions Charles Michel is criticised for expensive travel costs The EU is set to release draft plans to better handle failing banks Significantly more migrants crossed the Mediterranean in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 2022 The EU is set to issue another wave of sanctions against Russia And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

Belgian and German police raid the European People’s Party offices in Brussels The European Public Prosecutor launches an investigation into Predatorgate President Zelinskiy travels to Poland amid disruptions over Ukrainian grain The Commission responds to the European Citizens Initiative “Save Bees and Farmers” Ursula von der Leyen and Emmanuel Macron open talks with China over the war in Ukraine And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

With a compromise on e-fuels, the EU vote to ban CO2 emitting cars by 2035 EU transport chief resigns over free Qatar flights The EU agrees on new renewable energy targets with a compromise on nuclear power Ursula von der Leyen says that the EU should reassess its relations with China The EU votes to require companies to disclose gender pay gaps European Parliament votes to ban harmful F-gases from 2024. And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

The Commission proposes extending a measure to reduce gas demand until April 2024. EU and partners pledge $7 billion to rebuild earthquake-affected Syria and Turkey. The European Parliament joins the Commission’s case against Hungary's anti-LGBTI law. The EU agrees on new maritime emission limits. Denmark joins the European Defense Agency. The UK and EU formally ratify the Windsor Framework. And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at ⁠www.impact-media.be

Facebook's Meta tracking technology violated EU data protection law. EU ministers call for renewable energy targets to exclude nuclear power. EU Parliament to negotiate inter-operable national digital wallets. The EU launched its Critical Raw Materials Act and set targets for mining and processing. France has been accused of delaying the EU's €2 billion plan to restock Ukraine's artillery shell supply by insisting that the weapons be manufactured inside the EU. The EU continues to progress towards being climate-neutral by 2050 despite pandemic and conflicts, and has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and increase renewable energy usage. And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be

-US President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to announce a plan to launch negotiations between the U.S. and the EU on a deal aimed at boosting the use of European minerals used in the production of electric vehicle batteries eligible for U.S. tax credits. -Negotiators from EU member-states and the European Parliament have agreed to reduce final energy consumption across the bloc by 11.7% by 2030, up from the previous target of 9%. -Europe's defense industry has been booming as governments provide support to Ukraine. -The European Commission has further relaxed the EU's rules on national subsidies to prevent green tech companies from relocating to the United States and retain the bloc's ability to compete on a global scale. -The EU agri-food trade reached an all-time high in November 2022. -The European Union is urging the United States to relax rules requiring electric vehicles to be "Made in the USA" to qualify for tax credits. -And briefings on the week ahead for the EU Parliament, Commission, and Council. The EU Currents podcast is brought to you by Impact Media - the audio-visual and public relations agency that tells your story in the most effective and compelling way. For more information on how we can help you create impactful content for your brand, visit our website at www.impact-media.be