We have finally moved from words to deeds to turn Europe into a climate-neutral economy by 2050, with the Fit for 55 package*. The S&D Group has always been at the forefront on this decisive challenge. Hence, we salute the ambitious and bold commitment provided by the EU Commission and in particular by Vice-President Frans Timmermans, which has led to the adoption today of one of the most important legislative packages of this legislature.

Brussels, BELGIUM -- Ahead of the first anniversary of the invalidation of the Privacy Shield on Friday, more than 20 EU and U.S. associations today sent a letter urging EU Commissioner Reynders and U.S. Secretary Raimondo to swiftly ensure an agreement for secure transatlantic data flows.

Brussels/Frankfurt, 14 July 2021 – VDMA President Karl Haeusgen comments on the EU Commission's "Fit for 55" package and its climate protection measures:

The Socialists and Democrats managed to include a strong call for a Commission proposal on better protecting platform workers in a report voted in the European Parliament’s employment committee. The goal is to improve the working conditions for all digital platform workers, including the genuinely self-employed. Currently, platform workers are not covered by an EU legal instrument, leaving them in a legally precarious situation.

It’s been more than a year since the Covid-19 pandemic spread across Europe and the world. Millions have died from this virus. The magnitude of the crisis – socially, economically and on a personal level – is unprecedented in the history of the European Union. We must continue to ramp up efforts to expand vaccine manufacturing and distribution.