In today’s Morning Brief:

30 year ago, the European Union was formally created

On 7 February 1992, the Treaty on European Union was signed by 12 countries in the Dutch city of Maastricht, which lay the foundations for the EU as we know it today.

The result of several years of discussions between governments, the Maastricht Treaty marks a new step in the process of creating an ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe, based on 3 pillars:

- European citizenship

– Common foreign and security policy

– Cooperation in the field of justice and home affairs.

The Treaty also paved the way for the creation of a single European currency – the Euro – and established the European Committee of the Regions, the assembly of regional and local representatives coming from all EU countries.

Today, more than 440 million citizens from 27 countries enjoy the benefits of European cooperation. The Maastricht Treaty entered into force on 1 November 1993. Learn more about this important milestone.

A common approach to COVID -19 travel measures in the EU

As science is inherently borderless, as we all know that Zoom, Teams, Skype et al have their huge limitations, we all really want to see the possible normalization of our common lives in 2022, as the economy but more importantly, society and each individual needs social contact to resume, EU Member States have approved a common approach to Covid-19 travel measures in the European Union. This Recommendation follows up on the proposal made by the European Commission on 25 November 2021.

What’s relevant?

1. All travelers within the EU should be exempt from testing and quarantine.
2. A common approach regarding the validity of the covid certificate:
3. 9 months validity counting from 14 days after full primary vaccination (1 or 2 doses depending on the vaccine) or after having received the booster dose. These need to be EU-approved covid vaccines.
4. In case the traveler had COVID-19 and therefore cannot complete the vaccination process, a recuperation certificate will be added to the certificate and has the validity of 6 months.
5. For travelers who are not vaccinated, a negative test is required. This means a negative PCR test result not more than 72h before arrival at the destination or a negative antigen test result not more than 24h before arrival.

European Code Against Cancer (ECAC) Webinar

The Association of European Cancer Leagues is organising a public webinar on the topic of measuring the awareness of the European Code against Cancer (ECAC) consistent with the ambitions of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan. The webinar features expert speakers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the French National Cancer Institute (INCa).

ECL aims to convene cancer leagues, policymakers and staff from health NGOs to discuss and reflect on:

– The practicalities of measuring the ECAC awareness as referenced in Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and its Implementation Roadmap;

– Potential tools and methods that may be available to perform the task in practice.

To find out more about the webinar and to register, click here.

STEM Out of the Box: Women Imagining New Career Paths Beyond Hard Science

This Friday, February 11 from 17h00 to 18h00 CET, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022, EQUALS-EU and shemakes.eu join forces to hold a one-hour conversation that highlights the trajectories of female innovators who have utilised education to move beyond expected paths.

It will be moderated by Dr. Anthony Giannounis, Associate Professor of Universal Design at Oslo Metropolitan University and co-founder Inclusive Creation AS.

To attend the event just click here.

European Industry Days 2022 – European Research Agency’s contribution to the Green and Digital transitions

The European Industry Days will take place from February 8 to February 11. The annual event offers a platform to tackle industry-wide challenges, contribute to ongoing policy discussions and highlight industrial frontrunners.

This year’s edition will feature up to 40 research and innovation projects, six of them managed by the European Research Agency, making advancements on both the green and digital transitions.

To attend this event you must register here. The exhibition space will be interactive and recordings will be made available to watch following the conclusion of the event.

Digital Industry sets out laundry list for EU-US Trade and Technology Council

Digital Europe industry association has published 24 targets for the EU and US to strive for their joint dialogue on technology, including launching for major semiconductor R&D projects by 2030.

The association set out the targets ahead of meeting in May, calling for a strong tech alliance in cybersecurity, cloud computing, semiconductors and other areas as well as alignment around competition policies.

The European Commission proposed to set up the transatlantic technology alliance a year ago to enable the EU and the US to jointly address global innovation issues and set joint standards on technologies where China is the main global competitor.

Ukraine at the crossroads of a European energy crisis

In this column by Robin M. Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy, for EURACTIV, he lets us know that over the next few months, Europe’s energy scene could become very uncomfortable due to the tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

As Russia steps up its threats against the country once again, energy is the latest resource to become weaponised. Russia supplies about 40% of the European Union’s natural gas, and while Britain does not buy Russian gas directly, it is connected to the continent and effectively part of the same market. Prices for gas – both in Europe and globally – have soared to record levels since September, which has also pushed up the continent’s electricity prices to all-time highs.

If you want to read about the three ways Mills believes a new Russia-Ukraine conflict might interrupt European energy supplies, click here.

Blue Farming: New Strategic Vision for Sustainable Aquaculture

In May 2021, the European Commission published its new strategy for sustainable aquaculture in Europe. The Farm to Fork strategy has recognised the role that sustainable aquaculture has to play in building sustainable food systems. The new strategy sets the path for EU aquaculture to grow into a competitive and resilient sector and become a global reference for sustainability by 2030.

Sustainable aquaculture can help solve some of the most pressing issues we face today, such as ensuring food security, alleviating pressure on wild fish stocks and reducing the climate and environmental footprint of our food system.

Therefore, with this new strategy, the European Commission wants to develop this potential and put the sector on the path of sustainable growth, fully in line with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.

Find out more details here.

Transition Pathway for Tourism published

Following the 2021 Updated Industrial Strategy and given the many challenges faced by the tourism industry and the major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism ecosystem was the first industrial ecosystem to work on a transition pathway.

This pathway identifies 27 areas of measures for the green and digital transition and for improving the resilience of EU tourism, calling for more circular and environmentally friendly services in the area, enhancing data sharing for more innovative services, and more.

During a tourism-dedicated spotlight event tomorrow during the EU Industry Days, the Commission and stakeholders will discuss the transition pathway and the next co-implementation steps.

Read the document here.