Comuniq.EU

The Netherlands set to become 21st EU member State to join European Public Prosecutor’s Office

New Europe reports that the Netherlands is set to become the 21st EU Member State to join the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) after the European Commission confirmed that Amsterdam plans to take…

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Insight: “A will to become politically effective can save the EU from dissolution” – Jurgen Habermas

Simply retreating behind national borders is not an adequate response to the challenges of our time. Why the people of Europe have long since left the political elite behind. …

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UK’s customs proposals ‘torn’ by Barnier

The Guardian / BBC reports that Michel Barnier has warned that attempts to appeal to EU leaders over his head were a waste of time, as he tore up Theresa May’s proposals on customs…

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German Ministers welcome initiatives agreed during meeting between Trump and Juncker

Reuters: German ministers welcomed an initiative agreed between U.S. President Donald Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to ease the threat of a trade war, with one describing it as…

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President Juncker meets President Trump

AP/European Commission/CNN: European Union Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is visiting the USA for a meeting with US President Donald Trump. Juncker told Trump that the E.U. and U.S. are partners and…

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EU could try to seek wide reduction of tariffs in negotiations with US

Euronews reports that the European Union's budget commissioner, Guenther Oettinger, said on Wednesday the bloc could try to seek a wide reduction of tariffs in negotiations with the United States this…

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EU businesses are losing millions, and will be losing even more due to skills mismatches

The European economy loses over 2% of productivity per year due to a mismatch of skills, according to a recent study commissioned by the European Economic and Social Committee. This…

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European Commission unveils its plan for migration

Following the call by EU leaders at the June European Council, the Commission on Tuesday expanded its position on the concept of controlled centres as well as short-term measures that…

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EU expected to publish migration proposals policy changes today

The Financial Times reports that Brussels will offer EU governments €6,000 for every migrant they take in from boats stranded in the Mediterranean, in plans designed to help ease pressure on…

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Eu Chief’s negotiator raises a series of concerns with May’s Brexit Plan

The Independent (UK) The EU’s chief Brexit negotiator has taken apart Theresa May‘s new Chequers Brexit plan, just hours after the embattled Prime Minister insisted there would be no further compromise on her side.…

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It’s legitimate for Europe to find a role of its own in the world – Angela Merkel

DW: In her yearly meet-the-press session before her summer vacation, Angela Merkel put forward the European Union as an example of cooperation and multilateralism. While reaffirming the centrality of Germany's trans-Atlantic…

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European Commission takes further steps in infringement procedures against Hungary on migration

The European Commission has today decided to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) for non-compliance of its asylum and return legislation with EU law. The…

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Anti-Money Laundering: EU Commission calls on Latvia, Malta and Spain to completely transpose the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive

Eu Commission: Thursday, the EU Commission has sent reasoned opinions to Latvia and Spain, and an additional reasoned opinion to Malta for failing to implement the 4th Anti-Money Laundering Directive into national law. Spain has so far only partially…

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Breaking News: European Commission urges EU member states to intensify preparedness at all levels and for all outcomes in Brexit

The European Commission has today adopted a Communication outlining the ongoing work on the preparation for all outcomes of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union. On 30 March…

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Romania’s first decade of EU membership was mishandled – Romania’s EU accession chief negotiator

Euractiv: Since Romania joined the EU in 2007, successive governments have failed to make the best of bloc membership but there is strong pressure for change in the country, the man…

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700,000 small and medium-sized companies are set to benefit from improved access to finance through European Investment Plan

The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) has mobilised €335 billion in additional investment across the EU since July 2015. The Juncker Plan has made a clear impact on the…

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European Commission’s President to meet Trump on 25th July

The Independent (UK): "The president of the European Commission is to travel to Washington for meetings with Donald Trump as relations between the EU and US hit their lowest point in recent memory. Jean-Claude Juncker will meet…

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Europe Explained – EU Japan Agreement

EU and Japanese leaders signed two landmark agreements to increase their cooperation at the 25th EU-Japan summit: 1) The EU-Japan free trade agreement will remove 99% of tariffs paid by EU companies…

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EU and Japan to sign new Trade Deal to eliminate all tariffs

The European Union and Japan are signing a widespread trade deal that will eliminate nearly all tariffs, seemingly defying the worries about trade tensions set off by President Donald Trump’s…

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Eu and China agree to further develop the EU-China strategic partnership

The EU and China agreed to further develop the EU-China strategic partnership at the 20th EU-China summit. Leaders expressed their joint support for rules-based tradeand reaffirmed their joint engagement to reform the World…

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European Commission calls on Airbnb to align themselves with EU consumer rules

The European Commission and EU consumer authorities are calling on Airbnb to align their terms and conditions with EU consumer rules and be transparent on their presentation of prices. Airbnb…

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Donald Tusk urges US President and Putin to avoid conflict and chaos through destruction of World order

AP: European Council President Donald Tusk on Monday urged President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and China to work with Europe to avoid trade wars and prevent conflict and chaos.…

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EU pushes ahead with ‘Disembarkation platforms’ outside Europe to stop illegal migration

Financial Times: European interior ministers have vowed to intensify the fight against illegal immigration by pushing ahead with the creation of “platforms” outside the continent to stop migrants arriving into the…

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Trump says May wrecked Brexit, claims that her Brexit plan will ‘kill’ US trade deal in an exclusive interview with The Sun

AP/The Sun: Dishing up a fresh dose of chaos on his European tour, President Donald Trump left behind a contentious NATO gathering in Brussels and moved on to Britain, where a…

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BREXIT White Paper Published

The Guardian: The government’s long-awaited white paper laying out its Brexit proposals has been published, the longest and most detailed explanation yet of the government’s hopes for the future relationship with the EU.…

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Donald Trump thinks that May’s Brexit plan is not what people voted for

The Guardian: Trump suggested that Theresa May’s latest Brexit plan is not what people voted for. Asked if he had a message for the UK on Brexit, he said it was…

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No longer will people be allowed to arrive here from across Europe on the off-chance that they might find a job. – Theresa May

Theresa May Facebook Page: "Two years ago, the people of the UK spoke in greater numbers than ever before when they voted to leave the European Union. Since then, my…

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Unfavourable external environment, such as growing trade tensions with the US, can dampen confidence and take a toll on economic expansion. – EU Commission

Growth is set to remain strong in 2018 and 2019, at 2.1% this year and 2% next year in both the EU and the euro area. However, after five consecutive…

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Brexiters submit four amendments to Government trade bill

The Guardian : Angry hardline Brexiters have submitted four amendments to the government’s trade bill, arguing that Theresa May has broken their trust with the soft Brexit negotiating plan she unveiled at Chequers.…

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EU budget for 2019 approved by Council

On 11 July 2018, EU ambassadors agreed the Council's position on the 2019 EU draft budget in advance of negotiations with the European Parliament. In total, the Council foresees €164.1…

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Juncker’s Task Force on Subsidiarity and proportionality finalises report on EU’s operations way forward

The Task Force on Subsidiarity, Proportionality and 'Doing Less, More Efficiently', chaired by First Vice-President Timmermans, handed over its final report to Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The report responds to…

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Senior ministers and Merkel endorse May

Reuters: British Prime Minister Theresa May won the support of senior ministers and an endorsement from Europe's most powerful leader, Angela Merkel, on Tuesday, surviving the explosive resignations of two top…

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Romania’s anti-corruption chief fired amidst concerns from EU

After months of legal turmoil, Romania's anti-corruption chief has been fired. Her sacking and controversial legal reforms to weaken corruption charges is raising concern in Brussels. DW: Romanian President Klaus Iohannis…

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Libya takes ownership of large area of sea migrant route

Euronews: Libya — with the backing of the European Union — has officially taken ownership of a large area of the sea migrant route into Europe for search and rescue…

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UK Government Crisis – What we know so far

Historians might revisit this day as one of the longest days in British history. It rekindles the spectres of the days when Margaret Thatcher, in November 1990 resigned as Prime Minister and…

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Boris Johnson resigns as foreign secretary to deepen British government crisis

Downing Street: "This afternoon, the prime minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as foreign secretary. His replacement will be announced shortly. The prime minister thanks Boris for his work."…

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Italy and Libya agree to reactivate friendship treaty that allowed for migrants to be returned to Libyan territory

Euronews / Libya Observer: Italy and Libya have agreed to reactivate a friendship treaty signed a decade ago that allowed migrants to be returned to Libyan territory. "We agreed to reactivate…

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British Government Crisis – The Beginning

The News of the Resignation of Davis The Telegraph : Theresa May's Government is in deep crisis after David Davis dramatically resigned as Brexit Secretary on Sunday night. Mr Davis shocked…

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Free movement considered the biggest EU achievement

Recently the European Commission published the Spring 2018 Standard Eurobarometer results which indicate a growing trust by the European Union citizens in the EU and its institutions. Positive results are…

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Soft Brexit deal reached on Friday under strain

The Guardian: Theresa May’s desperate attempts to unite her party and country behind a new Brexit blueprint were under severe strain on Saturday night, as more than 100 entrepreneurs and…

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Soft-BREXIT negotiation mandate secured for Theresa May

The Telegraph: Theresa May won her battle with Eurosceptic ministers on Friday night as she announced the Cabinet has signed up to a Brexit deal that keeps Britain tied to EU rules…

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Five major powers agree for more talks in an attempt to save nuclear deal

DW: The Foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, China and Russia met in Vienna on Friday with their Iranian counterpart to discuss an economic plan that could save the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of…

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Ketchup, Cars and Trade Wars

Financial Times : Targeting iconic American products such as Harley-Davidson motorbikes and bourbon in the fight against US president Donald Trump’s first round of transatlantic tariffs was just a start —…

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Post-Brexit customs arrangements to be debated on July 16 and 17

Reuters: British lawmakers will debate the government’s proposed legislation on post-Brexit customs arrangements and trade on July 16 and 17, creating another potential flashpoint between Prime Minister Theresa May and pro-European…

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EU has not fulfilled commitments to provide equipment to Libyan Coast Guards – Libyan Navy Spokesman

Euronews: The EU has not "fulfilled any commitments" to provide the Libyan Coast Guards with equipment to help stem the flow of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean, a spokesman for…

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Overwhelming majority of Tunisians say that country is on the wrong track

Middle East Monitor: Some 79.8 per cent of Tunisians said the country was on the wrong track, according to a poll conducted by the private company Sigma Conseil in June. According…

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Spain and Greece get additional €45.6 million in emergency funds support to respond the migratory challenges

The European Commission has awarded an additional €45.6 million in emergency assistance to support Spain and Greece respond to the migratory challenges they face. The European Commission has awarded an…

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EU opens fresh legal case against Poland on Rule of Law

European Commission / Reuters: The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure by sending a Letter of Formal Notice to Poland regarding the Polish law on the Supreme Court, which critics says…

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European Leaders warned about how Trump’s policies are pushing towards a NATO break-up

The Times: European Union leaders have discussed their fears that the “immense pressure” President Trump’s policies are putting on Nato could lead to its break-up. Donald Tusk, the president of…

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Trump suggests ‘France should leave the EU’ to Macron

The Independent (UK) Donald Trump suggested to Emmanuel Macron he should pull France out of the European Union to get a better trade deal with the US, according to reports. The outlandish proposal came in a private meeting during…

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Oil Prices push Eurozone inflation

Financial Times: The surge in the price of oil has pushed eurozone inflation above the European Central Bank’s target, but policymakers in Frankfurt are expected to ignore the rise as broader…

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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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