Europe Explained

EASO’s Executive Director resigns amid allegations of harassment and an OLAF investigation

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) Management Board appointed Mr. Jamil Addou as interim Executive Director of Agency. The decision was taken by EASO's management board, which is the governing body of…

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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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Will the EU Parliament be lost in translation?

Next week’s European Parliament plenary week in Strasbourg could be disrupted by a series of strikes by interpreters, who plan to stop work for “one or two hours” a day,…

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Differences at EU Commission on how to deal with Poland

POLITICO reports that in the battle over the rule of law, Poland is splitting the European Commission at its highest level. EU officials and diplomats familiar with the latest developments say…

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Trade Tariffs: EU Commissioners endorse the imposition of additional duties on a number of US products

The European Union announced it will start imposing duties from July on a list of U.S. products in response to President Donald Trump's decision to slap tariffs on steel and…

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Broadband coverage across the EU improved. 2020 targets significantly distant.

Although broadband coverage has generally been improving across the EU, not all targets set for 2020 will be met, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors.…

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EU court gives landmark ruling regards same same-sex marriages recognition

EU countries that have not legalised gay marriage must respect the residency rights of same-sex spouses who want to live together in their territory, the European court of Justice has…

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European Parliament sets up group to monitor investigations into the murders of Daphne Caruana Galizia and Jan Kuciak

Reuters report that the European Parliament set up a group of lawmakers who will monitor the investigations into the murders of Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta last October and Jan…

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Juncker invites ‘German-speaking’ countries not to repeat the Greek mistake with Italy and avoid giving lessons to Rome

Deutsche Welle and The Guardian reported that since the new Italian government assumed power, EU President Jean-Claude Juncker seems to have taken a position of respectful distance. In a stark warning to 'Germany'…

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Total Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU decreased by 0.4% in 2016

Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) decreased by 0.4 % in 2016, according to latest official data published today by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Using less…

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EU launches legal proceedings in WTO against China

The EU has launched legal proceedings in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against Chinese legislation that undermines the intellectual property rights of European companies. Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström said: "Technological innovation…

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Donald Tusk emphasises on unity and solidarity in congratulatory letters to Conte and Sanchez

The President of the European Council congratulated Professor Giuseppe Conte on his appointment as President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic. "Your appointment comes at a crucial time for…

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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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A bad day for world trade – EU

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker expressed his concern following the decision by the US that starting on 1 June 2018 ,it will impose additional duties of 25 % and 10…

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Former Chair of Vote Leave campaign applies for ‘carte de sejour’ in France

Nigel Lawson, has denied accusations of Brexit hypocrisy after it emerged he was in the process of applying for a French residency card. The Tory former chancellor who chaired the Vote…

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Juncker’s comments on Italy, as reported on the Guardian, stirs controversy and criticism.

"Italians need to work harder and be less corrupt". This is what the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, would have said, according to the Guardian. Juncker's declaration has created a…

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European Court of Human Rights concludes that Lithuania and Romania violated the European ban on torture

The European Court of Human Rights said on Thursday it had concluded that Lithuania and Romania hosted a CIA detention centres and allowed for Tortures. Lithuania hosted this prison from…

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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 anti-dumping rules approved by European Parliament

Higher tariffs can be imposed on dumped or subsidised imports to better protect EU jobs and businesses, under a December 2017 informal agreement that was approved by the Parliament on Wednesday. The…

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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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BREXIT: “Stop playing hide and seek” – Michel Barnier to UK Government

European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier urged the British Government 'to stop playing hide and seek' over the country's aims for trade ties and went on warning that delays…

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First complaints against Social Media platforms following GDPR law changes

The Financial Times report that Facebook and Google became the first large tech groups to be accused of breaking the EU’s far-reaching new privacy rules that came into force on Friday…

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Processing personal data with the new GDPR

While today, the 25 May 2018 is the day when rules on the processing of personal data will finally change, entering the 21st century, it is interesting to look at…

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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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Emmanuel Macron, Daphne Caruana Galizia, Edyta Kocyk, Boyan Slat, Krisztian Imre and Florin Badita given European Leadership Awards

Emmanuel Macron, Daphne Caruana Galizia, Edyta Kocyk, Boyan Slat, Krisztian Imre and Florin Badita were all recognised for their outstanding contribution to their respective fields during the European Leadership Awards…

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European Education Area by 2025

The European Commission is advancing work to build a European Education Area by 2025, reinforce the cultural dimension of the European Union and bolster youth participation, with a new set…

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EU approves start of negotiations for free trade deal with Australia and New Zealand

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that European officials will land in Australia next month to begin negotiations on a free trade deal, after the EU’s governing council gave its long-awaited official authorisation on…

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Facebook’s Zuckerberg and his European Parliament grilling

At the end the much anticipated grilling ended up with more questions than answers. The pertinent points raised by various MEPs, were not all answered by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.…

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European Digital Economy and Society Index published

The European Commission published the results of the 2018 Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) , a tool which monitors the performance of Member States in digital connectivity, digital skills…

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EU Ombudsman sets up inquiry into appointment of Selmayr to role of European Commission Secretary-General

The EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly announced that she set up an inquiry into the rapid appointment of Martin Selmayr to the role of European Commission secretary-general. Earlier this month, she…

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Europe that protects: Clean air for all’ -European Commission outlines measures available to help Member States fight air pollution

The European Commission is providing national, regional and local actors with practical help to improve air quality in Europe, and stepping up its enforcement against 7 Member States who have…

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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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European Agenda on Migration: Still fragile situation gives no cause for complacency

While joint EU efforts have continued to show results, the situation remains fragile due to ongoing migratory pressure, as evidenced by newly increased arrivals along the Eastern and the Western…

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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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TOTAL warns that it will stop its operations in Iran

French company TOTAL announced that in view of the sanctions Total will not be able to operate its project SP 11, unless it will get special waivers. The company said…

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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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Corporate ID Group unveils its new corporate identity and web presence

Corporate ID Group has unveiled its new Corporate Identity. The logo is made up of two main components: a fluid element that features the four corporate colours and the underlying…

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Pasta is Italy’s best export product

According to research conducted by Aidepo, the Association of Italian sweet and pasta industries 56% of pasta produced in Italy ends up on the foreign markets. This means that Italian pasta factories…

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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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At 32, Maltese are the last to leave their parental home

Young Maltese adults are the last to leave their parental home. According to recent Eurostat statistics, Maltese left home at an average age of 32.2 years. They're followed closely by…

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‘Constructive meeting’ between Iran and and the EU

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has hailed as "very good and constructive" the meeting he had in Brussels with the European Union's foreign-policy chief, Federica Mogherini. Zarif was in…

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WTO rules against the European Union in landmark Airbus, Boeing judgement

The World Trade Organisation ruled on Tuesday the European Union had ignored requests to halt all subsidies to plane maker Airbus, prompting the United States to threaten sanctions against European…

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Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on violence in Gaza and latest developments

Dozens of Palestinians, including children, have been killed and hundreds injured from Israeli fire today, during ongoing mass protests near the Gaza fence. We expect all to act with utmost…

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Iran Nuclear Deal – US doesn’t exclude sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran

The US administration is prepared to impose sanctions on European companies that do business in Iran following his withdrawal of the US from the international nuclear deal. Trump’s most senior foreign policy aides…

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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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Jurgen Klopp – European Leadership on and off the pitch (Jesmond Saliba)

I was brought up following football. I was fell in love with AC Milan. In the recent golden years of the club, I had the opportunity to work with and…

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The Economist – Eurovision is an example how Europe is breaking up

Few countries do take the Eurovision's participation as serious as Malta. For a country which tends to have a divisive perspective on anything under the sun, the music festival provides…

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There is no willingness from the US to take the position of its allies seriously

Transatlantic relations have "already been damaged for some time", and Germany, although ready for dialogue, is "ready for a fight" for its positions . German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told…

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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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“Europe and solidarity go together. Solidarity is part of Europe’s founding pact” – Juncker

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned against populism in his address at the State of the Union conference in Florence on Friday. "Populists and nationalist have had material to feed…

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European Commission launches online public consultation

On Europe Day, the European Commission launched an online public consultation addressed to all Europeans, asking them what direction they want the European Union to take in the future. This…

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The risk of failure of Brexit negotiations exists – Michel Barnier

The risk of a failure of the Brexit negotiations "exists". In an interview with the German Magazine Der Spiegel, the head of EU negotiations, Michel Barnier, said that he was…

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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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The EU takes an active role to try to salvage the Nuclear Deal

The Guardian reports that "The European Union is scrambling to arrange a crisis meeting with Iran after Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement, as the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said…

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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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