Comuniq.EU

European Commission to recommend EU membership talks with Bosnia, says EU’s Von der Leyen

The European Commission will recommend to the European Council to start accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, EU's Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday during a speech in the European Parliament.…

Read More Here

MEPs to sue EU leaders for ‘horse-trading’ with funds to Hungary

The European Parliament will sue the European Union's executive for unblocking funds to Hungary while trying to persuade the country to drop its veto on aid to Ukraine last year,…

Read More Here

“EMFA a response to governments with a contempt for journalists” – Casa

In an address to the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEP David Casa appealed for a strong vote on the European Media Freedom Act, dubbing it a…

Read More Here

EU should consider joint borrowing for defence, economic security -Spain

The European Union should consider jointly borrowing to finance investment in economic security and defence, Spain's Finance Minister Carlos Cuerpo said on Tuesday, joining France, Belgium and Estonia in calls…

Read More Here

Thailand expects to complete free trade talks with EU next year, PM says

Thailand expects to complete negotiations over a free trade agreement with the European Union in 2025, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Tuesday, as the government seeks to draw trade…

Read More Here

EU must prepare for ‘catastrophic’ climate change risks

By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, March 11 (Reuters) - Countries across Europe should prepare for "catastrophic" risks, ranging from floods to deadly heatwaves, as worsening climate change hits every part of…

Read More Here

Switzerland green lights talks with Brussels to update EU relations

ZURICH, (Reuters) - The Swiss government approved a new negotiating mandate for talks with Brussels to modernize the country's relationship with the European Union after a previous bid unraveled in…

Read More Here

New European law aims to protect media outlets against disinformation

Disinformation, AI-generated content and fake news pose a serious threat to our democratic processes. With half of the world’s population taking part in more than 80 national elections in 2024…

Read More Here

EU sees maritime aid corridor to Gaza opening this weekend amid famine fears

EU says maritime aid corridor could open at weekend Biden says US military to build 'temporary' port in Gaza Ceasefire talks remain stalled, may resume Sunday UN urges Israel not…

Read More Here

EU countries to exit energy treaty over climate concerns, officials say

By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, March 7 (Reuters) - European Union countries agreed on Thursday to jointly quit an international energy treaty over concerns that it undermines efforts to fight climate…

Read More Here

UPDATED:EU’s von der Leyen wins conservatives’ backing to lead bloc for 5 more years

BUCHAREST, March 7 (Reuters) - European Union's leading political group, the centre-right European People's Party (EPP), voted on Thursday to endorse European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as their…

Read More Here

EU backs another year of access for Ukrainian food

BRUSSELS, March 7 (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers approved on Thursday granting Ukrainian food producers tariff-free access to EU markets for another year, rejecting amendments that could have increased restrictions.…

Read More Here

ECB to hold rates and take baby steps towards first cut

ECB to keep policy at record 4% Lagarde seen paving ground for June rate cut Projections to show lower growth and inflation this year By Francesco Canepa and Balazs Koranyi…

Read More Here

Ursula von der Leyen in Cyprus for humanitarian corridor talks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to visit Cyprus following the conclusion of the European People's Party summit in Bucharest, Romania, sources from EPP told Cyprus News…

Read More Here

EU strikes deal to unjam European air traffic reform

PARIS, March 6 (Reuters) - The European Union on Wednesday agreed on a deal to unjam air traffic reform in a bid to bring order to the mosaic of airspace…

Read More Here

EU Commission proposes 1.5 billion euro common defence industry package

The European Commission on Tuesday proposed a new 1.5 billion euro ($1.63 billion) defence industry programme, which would be financed from the European Union budget for the period between 2025…

Read More Here

EU aims to shift European arms industry to ‘war economy mode’

The European Commission will propose on Tuesday ways for the European Union to boost its arms industry so it can shift to "war economy mode" in response to Russia’s invasion…

Read More Here

EU leads call for probe into Navalny’s death at UN human rights body

A group of more than 40 countries reiterated calls for Russia to allow an independent international investigation into the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison. The call was…

Read More Here

EU cannot close borders to solar imports, energy chief says

By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, March 4 (Reuters) - The European Union should support struggling European manufacturers of solar panels, but cannot close its borders to imports of such products, EU…

Read More Here

EU countries split over support for nuclear energy

By Kate Abnett and Julia Payne BRUSSELS, March 4 (Reuters) - European Union member states showed their divisions on nuclear energy policy on Monday, with one camp led by France…

Read More Here

EU wants fossil fuel sector to help pay to combat climate change, draft shows

Countries to agree U.N. climate finance goal this year EU wants fossil fuel firms to pay towards goal -draft Disagreements on which countries should pay climate funds By Kate Abnett…

Read More Here

Apple hit with over 1.8 bln euro EU antitrust fine in Spotify case

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, March 4 (Reuters) - Apple was hit with an EU antitrust fine of over 1.8 billion euros ($1.95 billion) on Monday, its first ever, for…

Read More Here

Italy to host main control centre for EU satellite constellation

ORTUCCHIO, Italy, March 4 (Reuters) - A space centre in the heart of Italy is set to host the main control site for the IRIS² EU satellite constellation, Italy's industry…

Read More Here

Euro zone investor morale gains in March but no sign of spring revival

FRANKFURT, March 4 (Reuters) - Investor morale in the euro zone improved for the fifth consecutive month in March to its highest level since April 2023, a survey showed on…

Read More Here

EU may exempt islands from proposed jet fuel tax until 2032

By Kate Abnett European Union countries are negotiating exemptions for a proposed EU-wide tax on polluting aviation fuel for islands, in a move that could benefit countries such as Ireland,…

Read More Here

Borrell urges probe of civilians killed by Israeli fire at Gaza aid station

Israeli army fire killed Palestinian civilians during aid delivery operations in Gaza earlier this week, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell charged on Saturday, calling for an international probe of…

Read More Here

EU 2030 wind target within reach thanks to investment, improved permitting, industry body says

By Nina Chestney LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union's wind power target for 2030 is within reach due to a rebound in investment and improved permitting procedures, an industry association…

Read More Here

EU holds back part of UNRWA payment but boosts Palestinian aid

By Gabriela Baczynska and Andrew Gray BRUSSELS, March 1 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on Friday it would hold back part of a payment of 82 million euros for…

Read More Here

Nine European countries warn of subsidy race from easier state aid

Eight European Union countries and Iceland have written to the European Commission warning that a loosening of state aid rules could trigger a damaging subsidy race both globally and between…

Read More Here

Meta targeted in privacy complaints by 8 EU consumer groups

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, Feb 29 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms was hit with privacy complaints on Thursday as eight EU consumer groups asked watchdogs to act against the Facebook…

Read More Here

EU members fail to back supply chain audit law

By Philip Blenkinsop and Charlotte Van Campenhout BRUSSELS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - European Union countries blocked at a late stage on Wednesday a proposed law requiring large companies in the…

Read More Here

EU deal on euro clearing ‘light’ on banks but a first step, EU official says

By Huw Jones LONDON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The European Union's deal this month on rules to end the bloc's "over-reliance" on London for clearing derivatives is "light" on big…

Read More Here

Record year for wind farms raises hope for EU green energy goals

By Kate Abnett BRUSSELS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - A record year for building new wind farms and a rebound in investments in the sector have raised hopes that the EU…

Read More Here

EU’s von der Leyen proposes using frozen Russian profits for Ukraine’s military

BRUSSELS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The European Union should consider using profits from frozen Russian assets to buy military supplies for Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said…

Read More Here

UPDATED: Asylum applications in EU at highest level since 2015/16 crisis

BERLIN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Asylum applications in the European Union jumped 18% to 1.14 million in 2023, the highest level since the 2015-2016 migrant crisis, data from the European…

Read More Here

EU Parliament passes nature law despite political backlash

By Kate Abnett EU Parliament approves contentious nature policy Law survives last-minute attempt to scrap it Farmers' protests pressure EU over green policies BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - The European Parliament approved…

Read More Here

Euro zone lending stagnates as recovery remains elusive – ECB

Bank lending to companies and households in the euro zone stagnated last month, indicating the bloc's long-awaited economic recovery has yet to gain traction, European Central Bank data showed on…

Read More Here

Economic activity in EU to regain pace through 2024 – report

Economic activity in the European Union is anticipated to gradually pick up throughout 2024 after a weak start to the year, according to the Commission’s latest economic forecast. As inflation…

Read More Here

Farmers protest across Europe, press ministers to act

Farmers blocked a border crossing between Poland and Germany, threw bottles at police in Brussels and gathered in Madrid to demand action on cheap supermarket prices and what they say…

Read More Here

EU adopts euro instant payments rules to take on Visa, Mastercard

BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The European Union Council on Monday adopted rules to make instant payments in the euro currency fully available round-the-clock in a move it expected to…

Read More Here

EU carbon border tax will do little to cut emissions, ADB study says

By David Stanway SINGAPORE, Feb 26 (Reuters) - A European Union plan to impose tariffs on high-carbon imports could hurt developing countries in Asia but is unlikely to lead to…

Read More Here

UPDATE 1-Protesting farmers jam Brussels with tractors as ministers meet

Farmers stage protest at EU headquarters Demand action to address low food prices, cheap imports EU ministers meet to consider more help for sector By Kate Abnett and Philip Blenkinsop…

Read More Here

Meta to set up team to counter disinformation, AI abuse in EU elections

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Facebook owner Meta will set up a team to tackle disinformation and the abuse of generative artificial intelligence in the run-up…

Read More Here

EU agriculture commissioner proposes policy shift as farmers protest

The EU should change conditions imposed on farmers to benefit from Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) funding, European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said in an interview with French newspapers of the…

Read More Here

Frustration grows inside EU as German infighting hurts block’s goals

By Jan Strupczewski Once considered a vital engine of the European Union, Germany is causing growing consternation in capitals across the bloc as disagreements in its ruling coalition spill over…

Read More Here

UK and EU to share intelligence on gangs trafficking migrants in new deal

Britain will gain access to the EU's intelligence on criminal gangs involved in human trafficking as part of a deal with the bloc's border protection agency, Frontex, in another sign…

Read More Here

‘Good news’: Poland to get up to 137 bln euros in funds, says EU chief

By Anna Koper WARSAW, Feb 23 (Reuters) - Poland will gain access to up to 137 billion euros ($148 billion) in European Union funds, the head of the EU executive…

Read More Here

France proposes starting EU Capital Markets Union with small group of countries

By Jan Strupczewski GHENT, Belgium, Feb 23 (Reuters) - France proposed on Friday that European Union member states which back the creation of Capital Markets Union should initially go it…

Read More Here

EU’s new Anti-Money Laundering Authority to be based in Frankfurt

By Geert De Clercq The European Union's new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) will be based in Frankfurt, Germany, the Belgian Presidency of the EU said, in a move the bloc…

Read More Here

European satellite falls back to Earth after 29 years

A satellite has broken apart and reentered the Earth's atmosphere after almost three decades in orbit. Much of the ERS-2 satellite burned up in the atmosphere while some fragments fell…

Read More Here

EU recovery fund boosted growth, investment, jobs -Commission

BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) has already boosted economic growth, jobs and investment half-way through the scheme and cushioned the negative impact…

Read More Here

EU Commission eyes centralised spectrum policy in telecoms market revamp

European Commission unveils revamp o European telecoms market Commission may seek to manage radio spectrum Level playing field needed for telecoms operators, EC says Deadline for feedback set for June…

Read More Here

EU strikes deal to strengthen air quality standards

BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The European Parliament and EU member states reached a deal late on Tuesday to strengthen air quality standards across the 27-nation European Union, they said…

Read More Here

EU approves 13th sanctions package against Russia

By Julia Payne, Andrew Gray and Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - EU members approved a 13th package of Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, banning nearly 200 entities…

Read More Here

EU’s democratic safeguards on financial aid fall short, auditors say

By Gabriela Baczynska BRUSSELS, Feb 21 (Reuters) - EU conditions for ensuring rule of law among member states before they can receive financial aid are not strong enough to completely…

Read More Here

EU welcomes new Polish government’s plan to ‘restore rule of law’

The European Union on Tuesday welcomed Poland's plan to "restore the rule of law" and dismantle policies by the former nationalist government which led to the freezing of billions of…

Read More Here

EU opens formal proceedings against TikTok under Digital Services Act

By Foo Yun Chee BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - The European Union will investigate whether ByteDance's TikTok breached online content rules aimed at protecting children and ensuring transparent advertising, an official said,…

Read More Here