login
login
Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13635
Contents Publication in full By article 41 / 42
NEWS BRIEFS / Botswana

€4.7 million to support digital transformation

07/05/2025 (Agence Europe) – €4.7 million will be mobilised through collaboration between the EU and Gaborone to develop Botswana’s ‘SmartBots’ programme (see EUROPE 13634/28), the EU delegation told Agence Europe on Wednesday 7 May. The project, which aims to stimulate innovation through cutting-edge digital solutions, will also be funded by a French contribution of €150,000. Team Europe will also provide technical expertise via its digital team. “Botswana has the potential to become a leading centre for digital, innovation, and skills development in SADC and across Africa. This is what we wish to aim for”, said EU Ambassador Petra Pereyra on the sidelines of a launch event on Tuesday attended by entrepreneurs and political representatives. (BD)

Contents

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PLENARY
BUDGET: European Parliament adopts own-initiative report on post-2027 multiannual financial framework
BUDGET: European Parliament approves implementation of EU budget for 2023, despite “persistent problems”
COHESION: European Parliament agrees to take emergency decision on mid-term review of cohesion policy
ENVIRONMENT: European Parliament adopts its own-initiative report on European Water Resilience Strategy
ENERGY: blackout on Iberian peninsula – European Parliament debate resembles a settling of scores with Sánchez government
KOSOVO: European Parliament considers that Pristina must undertake genuine structural reforms in order to unblock its accession process
SERBIA: European Parliament considers Aleksandar Vučić’s Serbia not, at this stage, eligible for EU membership
TURKEY: accession process cannot resume, warns European Parliament
CUBA: bilateral agreement is “best shot” at promoting EU’s values and interests, says Kaja Kallas
EXTERNAL ACTION
UNITED KINGDOM: fisheries, defence, mobility - Member States continue to advocate balanced and mutually beneficial agreements
MIDDLE EAST: EU and several European countries urge Israel to lift its blockade of Gaza
DRC: Denis Mukwege calls on EU to regain leading role in peace negotiations
INDIA/PAKISTAN: EU calls for appeasement after attacks in Pakistani territories
Russian invasion of Ukraine
TRADE: European Commission considers transitional solution for Ukrainian exports to EU following end of autonomous trade measures
UKRAINE: Baltic foreign ministers call for tougher sanctions against Russia
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
FINANCE: European Commission suggests simplification measures to EU co-legislators on retail investment package
ECONOMY: EU Council asked to approve changes to four national post-Covid-19 recovery plans
SECTORAL POLICIES
TRANSPORT/INDUSTRY: cars – EU Council adopts position on Commission’s proposal on CO2 emissions without amendment
ENERGY: Slovakia and Hungary reject European Commission’s roadmap for shift away from Russian fossil fuels
AGRICULTURE: EU institutions have begun negotiations on new genomic techniques
AGRICULTURE: EU Member States make progress on revising Common Market Organisation rules
BREACHES OF EU LAW
TAXATION: European Commission takes Sweden to court over non-compliance of its preliminary income tax rules with EU law
TAXATION: European Commission refers Greece to CJEU for non-compliance with vehicle taxation and registration rules
JUSTICE: European Commission refers Bulgaria to EU Court of Justice for incorrect transposition of right of access to a lawyer
DIGITAL: European Commission takes five Member States to CJEU for failing to fulfil their obligations under Digital Services Act
TRANSPORT: Commission takes Bulgaria, Greece and Poland to European Court of Justice for failure to transpose Eurovignette Directive
TRANSPORT: Commission refers four EU Member States to Court of Justice for failure to fulfil obligations in maritime and inland waterway sectors
TRANSPORT: European Commission takes Hungary to CJEU for failing to guarantee independence of its rail regulatory body
MIGRATION: migrant smuggling, Commission refers Hungary to Court of Justice of EU
ENVIRONMENT: European Commission refers Cyprus to Court of Justice of EU for failure to comply with judgment on waste rules
INSTITUTIONAL
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Parliament firmly opposed to choice of legal basis for SAFE budget instrument
FUTURE OF EU: Paris and Berlin intend to revive “Franco-German engine” to strengthen European sovereignty
SOCIAL AFFAIRS
SOCIAL/EMPLOYMENT: European Parliament hopes to make progress towards an agreement on coordination of social security systems on 19 May
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS: a report ordered by European Commission scrutinises EU disability policies
NEWS BRIEFS
HOME AFFAIRS: Anti-Corruption Directive - EU co-legislators aim for agreement in June
BUDGET: European University Association calls on European Commission to make education, innovation and research priorities
ENERGY: methane emissions from energy sector remained at record levels in 2024, according to IEA
FINANCE: ‘T+1’ settlement in EU, Member States ready to negotiate with European Parliament
SEA: Emma Fourreau MEP to present ideas on ‘Oceans Pact’ on 17 May
PHILIPPINES: 104 short-term observers deployed as part of European Union Election Observation Mission
BOTSWANA: €4.7 million to support digital transformation
SINGAPORE: EU signs its digital trade agreement with Singapore