In a press statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that they are "stepping up the pressure" on Russia with the ninth package of sanctions.

Brussels [Belgium], August 30 (ANI/Sputnik): The average filling level of the European Union gas storage facilities has reached 80 per cent, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

Moscow [Russia], June 1 (ANI): Russian gas holding Gazprom has confirmed the complete suspension of gas supplies to Denmark's Orsted Salg & Service and Shell Energy Europe following failure to pay in rubles.

New Delhi Apr 25 PTI India and the European Union will formally restart in June the negotiations on the long-pending trade and investment agreements a decision welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday The issue came up in the wide-ranging talks between Modi and von der Leyen during which both sides also reviewed the progress in the implementation of the India-EU Roadmap 2025 that seeks to significantly expand the ties In a statement the Ministry of External Affairs referring to the India-EU Trade and Investment agreements said both sides expressed hope in the early conclusion of negotiations for unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade and economic relations In May last year India and the European Union EU announced to resume negotiations for a balanced and comprehensive trade agreement after a gap of over eight years They welcomed the recent decision to formally restart negotiations on India-EU Trade and Investment agreements by June 2022 Both sides expressed hope in the early conclusion of negotiations for unlocking the full potential of bilateral trade and economic relations the MEA said They noted the strong synergies between India-EU Connectivity Partnership announced last year and EUs new Global Gateway strategy and agreed to fast-track its implementation it said The MEA said Modi and von der Leyen reviewed the progress in the India-EU Strategic Partnership including the forthcoming re-commencement of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement In their talks both sides also agreed to launch the India-EU Trade and Technology Council a strategic coordination mechanism to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade trusted technology and security I am very pleased that today Prime Minister Modi and I have agreed to establish an EU-India Trade and Technology Council to tackle key trade economic and technological challenges the European Commission President said She was speaking at the Raisina Dialogue As like-minded partners the European Union and India will be working on several tracks We have launched negotiations on a free trade agreement as well as on investment protection and geographical indications she said For Europe this is a strategic investment in our partnership with India The European Union is Indias third most important trade partner But we can do so much more Our trade is far below our potential both for Indian and European goods and services she added von der Leyen said the deal will bring new technologies new investment and unprecedented integration into shared value chains I want Europe to be a partner for Asia in shaping this new world A world of independent yet interconnected countries Working together for a more prosperous and peaceful world Working together for the benefit of humankind she said PTI MPB CK

New Delhi Apr 24 PTI European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday said youngsters are the advocates to fight climate change save the planet and develop solutionsOn the first day of her two-day visit to India Leyen took part in an interaction at The Energy and Resources Institute campus called TERI Gram where she asserted the need to work together towards a green sustainable and equitable futureClimate change and biodiversity loss are at the top of the political agenda of the European Union EU and India Observing that the young should raise their voice for climate action Leyen said Youth are the advocates to fight climate change as well as to fight for the planet But they are also the ones who develop solutions The event Youth for a Greener Future was organised by TERI in collaboration with the EUYoung people have fully understood the urgency of the climate crisis And they are doing something about it From living more sustainable lifestyles to making their voices heard on the streets and advocating for greener policies young people are at the heart of the solution So make your voices heard the European Commission president addedHighlighting the long-standing partnership between the EU and India Leyen commended Indias ambitious renewable energy goals announced at the COP26 held in GlasgowThere is a lot of untapped potential between the European Union and India we have a lot in common And joining forces we can do so much together for the benefit of our people but also for the benefit of our climate and our planetWe share the idea that we need to look into solar energy wind energy biomass hydropower green hydrogen and geothermal These are the ingredients of success for the economy for the benefit of the people and the protection of our climate and environment she saidProtecting the climate and the environment has a lot to do with innovation Leyen said With innovation the world takes the right direction in cutting emissions and protecting the environment and for that we need clean innovative technologies Observing that women leadership is crucial for inclusive and environmentally sensitive decision-making Vibha Dhawan Director General TERI said engaging with young people on matters concerning security climate change and public policy is important to promote youth leadership along with global citizenship for our common futureWe are extremely honoured and delighted that this intergenerational dialogue is taking place involving a prominent woman leader and our future generation Dhawan addedAfter the interaction session with the youngsters Leyen planted a sapling on the TERI Gram campus and visited the TERI-Deakin Nano-Biotechnology CentreThe people participating in the discussion were selected from a large group of candidates at the annual Youth Climate Conclave which is organised under the Strategic Partnership for Implementation of the Paris Agreement SPIPA project by TERI and the EU Delegation to IndiaThe Ministry of Environment is the nodal ministry for the initiative The Youth Climate Conclave seeks to engage in a positive and proactive way with youngsters in science-based discussions about the most relevant climate change issues PTI AG IJT

New Delhi Apr 23 PTI As she embarks on a two-day visit to India European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday said both India and the 27-nation EU want to take the relationship to the next levelLeyen begins her visit to India on Sunday during which she will hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on further ramping up two-way engagement in areas of trade connectivity energy climate change and securityRussias war against Ukraine as well as India-EU cooperation in the Indo-Pacific are also expected to figure in the discussionsIm off to New Delhi as we celebrate 60 years of EU-India relations 60 years during which we built a solid friendship And a cooperation that we now both want to take to the next level Looking forward to my discussions with narendramodi Leyen tweetedThe European Commission president said taking the partnership forward means negotiating the ambitious trade and investment agreements connecting the world with the global gateway driving the digital revolution fighting climate change and achieving a just energy transitionIt will be von der Leyens first visit to India as president of the European CommissionHer visit comes two days after British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons trip to IndiaAhead of Leyens visit External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held talks with Bjoern Seibert the head of cabinet of the President of the European CommissionGlad to meet Bjoern Seibert Head of Cabinet of the President of the European Commission vonderleyen Jaishankar tweetedThe EU is one of the largest investors in India accounting for 16 per cent of total investments received between 2015-20 Euro 83 billion in 2000-2021According to the EU there are 4500 European companies operating in India contributing to the creation of over 15 million direct and 5 million indirect jobs in the countryDuring her trip von der Leyen will visit The Energy and Resources Institute TERI campus known as TERI Gram where she will interact with the youth on the existential challenge of climate change and the need to work together for a green digital and resilient futureShe will also deliver an address at the International Solar Alliance ISA and discuss with Indian and EU companies the security of supply chains in the energy sector PTI MPB ZMN

Brussels [Belgium], March 10 (ANI): President of EU commission Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday reiterated the Western Powers' commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian President Vladimir Putin's war.

Paris [France], February 24 (ANI): Russia must "immediately" end military operations in Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday as he extended solidarity with Kiev.

Brussels [Belgium], December 15 (ANI): Amid the sudden increase in COVID-19 cases due to the emergence of the Omicron variant, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said that the 27-nation bloc is facing another Christmas in pandemic mode.

Brussels [Belgium], October 7 (ANI/Sputnik): The European Union will invest 1 trillion euros ($1.1 trillion) in sustainable energy by 2030, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday.