European Affairs

EU countries back copyright reform

EU member states have given the final approval for copyright reforms in a bid to overhaul its two-decade old copyright rules. The clearing of this final hurdle ensures artists…

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China wants to work with EU on trade and climate change

As China and the EU gears up for this week's summit, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang wrote in a German newspaper saying China wants to work with the European Union…

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Caruana Galizia family and of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak urge EU to support Kovesi for Chief European Prosecutor role

The Romanian website Business Review reported that in a letter published by Romanian MEP Cristian Preda on the social media, the families of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and Slovakian…

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“Not On My Flight”… EASA campaign draws attention to safety impact of unruly behaviour on flights

Every 3 hours the safety of a flight within the EU is threatened by passengers demonstrating unruly or disruptive behaviour. At least 70% of these incidents involve some form of…

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€74 million EU-funded project to provide Malta with better drinking water

The European Commission adopted a €4 billion investment package for infrastructure projects across 10 Member States consisting of 25 large infrastructure projects in 10 Member States. Almost €74 million will…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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Barnier says EU would allow permanent customs union if UK wants it

Michel Barnier, the EU's Brexit negotiator, in a speech in Warsaw, Poland, said that the EU would agree to put a permanent customs union in the political declaration, the text…

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A quick look at the tumultuous relationship between the UK and EU

On the day the UK was supposed to leave the EU, Euronews give a quick but detailed look at how the relationship between the European Union and the United…

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Facebook tightens rules on political ads

Facebook has hardened its rules on political advertising in Europe as pressure from EU regulators increases to do more to guard against foreign meddling ahead of the European Parliament…

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Tusk urges EU Parliament to be open to long Brexit extension

Donald Tusk, who chairs summits of EU leaders, urged the European Parliament be open to a long Brexit extension, said on Wednesday, telling lawmakers they should not ignore Britons who…

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EU to phase out Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean

The EU's political and security committee agreed to phase out the Mediterranean migrant rescue Operation Sophia's mandate during a prolonged six-month period. All will depend on the final confirmation…

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Brexit: EU completes preparations for possible “no-deal” scenario on 12 April

In a press release issued Monday, the European Commission pointed out, that as it is increasingly likely that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union without a deal on…

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European Union’s top antitrust regulator joins list of candidates to replace Juncker

Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s top antitrust regulator joined the list of candidates for the presidency of the next European Commission, a post up for grab after EU parliamentary elections…

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Brexit once more set to dominate EU summit

Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, travels to Brussels on Thursday to meet with EU leaders at the European Council and discuss a short delay to Brexit, which is…

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Time’s Up: European Parliament to vote on scrapping mandatory daylight savings time

After the European Parliament’s transport and tourism committee this week became the latest EU body to endorse the proposal in a report this week a vote on scrapping mandatory…

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Weber insists that Turkey will not become an EU member

Manfred Weber, the European Peoples Party's (EPP) lead candidate to be the new EU Commission President , Wednesday insisted that Turkey will not become an EU member. Weber insisted…

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Macron calls for a revision of the Schengen system

French President Emmanuel Macron has made an impassioned defence of a new Europe in a newspaper column published in each of the 28 member states in which he laid out…

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Reform party wins Estonia’s general election

The centre-right Reform Party has won Estonia's general election. The BBC reports that the Reform Party, led by former MEP Kaja Kallas, won about 29% of the vote whilst the…

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EU Brexit Summit

Brexit Vote in Commons to take place on 10 or 11 December - EU officials have been told to expect the parliamentary vote on the Brexit deal on 10 or…

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Macron tells German lawmakers that it was up to France and Germany to build a modern, efficient, democratic Europe fit for the future

In a speech to the Bundestag to mark Germany's Day of Mourning for those killed in war, Macron said that Germany and France had overcome 200 years of "merciless wars" to make a…

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Theresa May’s crucial role in last EU summit negotiations on migrations could make your forget that BREXIT was on the agenda

POLITICO: As a former U.K. home secretary, May was in her element in the marathon negotiation on migration policy. You could almost have forgotten that Brexit was on the agenda too.…

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Eu Summit Maltese MEP reaction – Roberta Metsola

Roberta Metsola: The EU summit took a good step towards a better migration policy, but what we needed was a giant leap. We are still far away from where we need…

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EU Summit – Agreed Conclusions on Migration

. The European Council reconfirms that a precondition for a functioning EU policy relies on a comprehensive approach to migration which combines more effective control of the EU’s external borders,…

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EU Summit – Angela Merkel Comments

In comments reported by Euronews, Angela Merkel said "Overall, after an intensive discussion on the most challenging theme for the European Union, namely migration, it is a good signal that…

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EU Summit : French President Macron’s comments

French President Emmanuel Macron told EuroNews that the deal showed "European cooperation" had prevailed over national interests: "Europe will have to live with migratory pressures for a long time. We must…

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EU Summit: Malta’s Prime Minister Muscat Comments

Malta's Prime Minister Muscat tweeted "In #EUCO conclusions, all #EU Member States agree that vessels operating in the #Mediterranean must respect the applicable laws and not obstruct operations of #Libya…

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EU Summit Agenda- Migration & Security

Migration Leaders will discuss migration policy. They are expected to underline the need for a comprehensive approach to migration and the importance of effective control at the EU's external borders. The heads of…

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Opinion – EU Summit June 18

Politico: June is not supposed to be the rainy season in Brussels. Migration and asylum. Eurozone. Brexit. Poland and the rule of law. A trade war with Washington. The EU’s long-term…

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Austrian’s EU Presidency to push hardline migration policy

Financial Times: Syrians, Afghans and African nationals seeking refuge in the EU would have to file their asylum applications before entering the bloc under radical migration proposals put forward by Austria’s government.…

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Is it the end of ‘centre’ in Europe politics? (Long Read)

Paul Taylor, contributing editor at POLITICO writes: The second wheel is starting to fall off Europe’s political wagon. After the center left suffered a working-class revolt against globalization and austerity, the mainstream…

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European Commission proposes €100 billion for research and innovation

A new programme – Horizon Europe – will build on the achievements and success of the previous research and innovation programme (Horizon 2020) and keep the EU at the forefront…

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Putin visits Austria in first visit in EU state since re-election

Easing of sanctions against Russia, the relations with the US and the European Union were the main topics discussed during a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian chancellor, Sebastian…

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60% increase in EU funds for the EU programme for the environment and climate action

"The EU is a global leader for environmental protection and climate action; where we spend our money should reflect this. With more funding, we can strengthen our LIFE programme to…

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I want to stop Romania from turning into another Hungary

Romania’s former Prime Minister Victor Ponta has told Euronews he wants to stop the country from turning into a new Hungary. He launched his political comeback bid this week after…

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New EU directive to curb plastic use

The European Commission proposed new EU-wide rules on Monday aimed at reducing plastic pollution in cities and oceans by banning several plastic products. Through the new directive plastic utensils, straws,…

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#EUandMe – EU releases five films that make Europe more accessible to millenials

The European Union released five short films, directed by prominent European filmmakers, which demonstrate how the rights and benefits enjoyed in the EU improve people’s lives. The films aim to launch…

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EU committed to Iranian nuclear deal; wants the US to exempt the bloc from steel tariffs

The EU remains firmly committed to the Iranian nuclear deal, and it wants the US to permanently exempt the bloc from steel tariffs. Donald Tusk, the European Council president said…

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EU proposes upgrade for Visa Information System

The European Commission proposed to upgrade the Visa Information System (VIS), the database containing information on persons applying for Schengen visas, in order to better respond to evolving security and…

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Tajani announces that Zuckerberg is to be grilled at European Parliament

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will face MEPs’ questions following the Cambridge Analytica scandal in the European Parliament, its president said on Wednesday. "The founder and CEO of Facebook has accepted…

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The clash of the Donalds – With friends like this, who needs enemies? Donald Tusk on Donald Trump

“Looking at the latest decisions of Trump, someone could even think: With friends like that, who needs enemies?” Donald Tusk, President of the European Council didn't leave much to anyone's imagination to…

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Juncker to meet Polish Prime Minister amid rule-of-law dispute between Poland and the EU

Poland’s prime minister and the European Commission chief will meet for talks on Wednesday amid a protracted rule-of-law dispute between Warsaw and Brussels, according to reports. Radio Poland, reports that the…

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Angela Merkel – “We need to look beyond our boundary to give Europe a soul”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has received the "Lamp of Peace," a Catholic award for seeking the peaceful coexistence of peoples. Also visiting Assisi, Italy, was its last recipient, Colombian President…

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Politico – How Italy could blow the EU as we know it

Never before in any of the six original EU countries, much less one of its leading powers, have parties deeply skeptical toward the EU grabbed the reins of power. If…

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Macron awarded Charlemagne Prize; refers to Brexit and Italian elections as European traumas

The situation in the Middle East, relations with the United States, but above all the state of the European Union were the main themes that emerged during a meeting between Emmanuel…

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My Dream of A Truly EU Member State – Matthias Bartolo (16 Year old European Maltese)

The following are the views of Matthias Bartolo, a 16 year old Sixth Form Student attending St Martin’s College. Politics is a passion of his, along with being a football…

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Towards a stronger, more united Europe than ever. Dr. Elena Grech (Head of Maltese EC Representation)

The following reflections have been shared by Dr. Helena Grech, the Head of the Maltese EC Representation for Corporate Dispatch's special edition of Europe Explained on the occasion of Europe…

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The future of Europe is a choice – Federica Mogherini

The following is a message by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission. The future of the European Union is a…

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Today, Europe stands at a crossroad – Antonio Tajani (President European Parliament)

Insight and reflection by European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, for Corporate Dispatch. Europe’s story is one of freedom and citizen rights, of 70 years of benefits that were simply unimaginable…

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We are stronger together – Roberta Metsola (MEP)

Insights and reflections on the occasion of Europe Day provided by MEP Roberta Metsola for Corporate Dispatch. Today marks the 68th anniversary of the day in 1950 when Robert Schuman,…

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Moving Europe forward together – Miriam Dalli (MEP)

Insights and reflections provided by MEP Miriam Dalli for Corporate Dispatch on the occasion of Europe Day. The European Union we live in today is very different to the one…

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Europe Day

Today is Europe Day. Observed on May 9 each year, this day marks the presentation of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which proposed and eventually led to the creation of a…

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Special edition of Europe Explained on the occasion of Europe Day

9th May is Europe Day. It involves all of the citizens of the EU because it celebrates the declaration delivered on 9th May 1950 by Robert Schuman. On that day…

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The political innuendos in the lyrics of this year’s Eurovision song contest

The Irish Times reports that after a year when politics threatened to engulf the Eurovision Song Contest, the sabre-rattling is quieter in 2018, but European and global events are still…

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Proposals at EU level to deal with unfair competition rules in the airline industry

Watered-down proposals to tackle unfair competition from foreign airlines seem to be accepted by European diplomats. Countries, such as France and Germany, and the European Parliament, have pushed for airlines’…

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Analysing the EU’s Spring Economic Forecast

The European Commission yesterday published its Spring Economic Forecast. This forecast is based on a set of technical assumptions concerning exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices with a cut-off date of…

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EU Spring 2018 Economic Forecast: Expansion to continue amid new risks

"The economic expansion in Europe is set to continue at a solid pace this year and next, supporting further job creation. However, we also see increased risks on the horizon.…

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Mixed Reactions on EU Budget Proposals

The general sentiment, among the richer states of theEU is that of revolt, at least that's how the Financial Times opens up its report on the reactions on the EU…

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