Explainers

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) aims to ensure fair competition between digital platforms, regardless of their size, to increase choice for consumers and to promote new opportunities for small businesses.

EU tax policy aims to ensure fairness and foster growth by harmonising taxation rules across member states, combatting fraud and adapting to global economic shifts. The Council is the sole legislator on EU tax matters.

Fighting tax fraud and avoidance is primarily the member states’ responsibility. Rules agreed at EU level promote cooperation on tax matters and help countries manage cross-border issues in order to ensure the functioning of the EU single market.

The EU has put in place a number of tools and mechanisms to protect consumers if problems arise when purchasing a product or service in any EU country.

EU rules help strengthen requirements relating to financing and transparency for European political parties and foundations and limit the risk of foreign interference.

The digital transition is crucial for the EU's economic growth and strategic autonomy. The EU wants to ensure that Europe fully seizes the opportunities offered by the digital decade. 

Making the transport sector more sustainable is important in order to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The European Union therefore aims to make mobility more sustainable while ensuring connectivity.

The EU, Latin America and the Caribbean have a long-standing partnership, marked by strong historical, cultural and economic ties.

The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union, paved the way for the euro and created EU citizenship.