EU

EU Commission proposes a public loan facility to support green investments

The European Commission has today presented a proposal for a public sector loan facility encouraging investments that support the transition towards a climate-neutral economy by public sector authorities to the…

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European citizens want stronger role for EU, especially at times of crisis

An independent survey commissioned by the European Parliament found that nearly seven out of ten respondents (69%) want a stronger role for the EU in fighting this crisis. In parallel,…

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Malta’s key enabler: A digital and green transition

by Keith Zahra The annual country specific recommendations issued by the European Commission tend to pass under the radar except for the experts within the respective line Ministries around…

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British government publishes Brexit negotiating approach, as it criticises Europe’s ‘ideological’ one

The British government Tuesday published the draft documents setting out its approach to negotiations on a future relationship with the EU as Michael Gove blasted Brussels over its “ideological approach”…

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MEPs call for stronger financial outlay and quick action to avoid huge recession

European Members of Parliament welcomed the recent proposal for a €500 billion recovery fund brought forward earlier this week by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, calling…

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Who finances WHO?

After accusing the World Health Organization of pro-China bias last month and suspending contributions, U.S. President Donald Trump went further this week, threatening to halt funding altogether if the body…

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European leaders invited by Pope Francis to remain inspired by Schuman Declaration

Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Europe “on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950", reports Vatican News. The Pope said that Declaration “inspired…

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“Europe needs a break” – EU Commission’s post Covid-19 tourism strategy

Tourism normally brings some 150 billion euros every season form June through August with some 360 million international arrivals, according to the Commission. Tourism, that normally contributes almost a tenth…

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Germany’s infection quota increases beyond one, days after easing restraints

Germany's coronavirus infection quota has jumped beyond one, just days after federal and regional authorities eased restraints. Keeping the patient ‘reproduction rate' down is decisive, say epidemiologists, DW reports. On Wednesday, as…

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EU to push for state guarantees for travel vouchers instead of cash refunds

The European Commission will tell countries in the European Union to provide state guarantees for travel vouchers during the coronavirus pandemic, if they prefer people to accept the vouchers instead…

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Foreign predatory buying of EU crucial industries

by Claire Hollier Considering the current economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there are signs of increased concern that European companies, notably those in critical sectors, are increasingly vulnerable…

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L-aħħar bidwi f’Wied il-Għasel played by the Big Band Brothers is Malta’s selection in Spotify’s Europe Day playlist

L-aħħar bidwi f'Wied il-Għasel played by the Big Band Brothers is Malta’s selection in Spotify’s Europe Day playlist. Europe Day is celebrated on May 9th. The music streaming service, which…

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Putting more ‘Europe’ in European Solidarity

by Dr Joanna Drake The eyes of Europeans are turned upon EU institutions as national governments struggle under the weight of the coronavirus. In the wake of the Covid-19 threat,…

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Malta: Malta drafts EU proposed solution to migrants’ problem

The European People’s Party, the largest political cohort in the European Parliament is placing the agenda an agreement on Migrant Policy. Drafted by Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola, her office told…

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Malta: Bartolo rails against EU on migration limbo: ‘Malta is left all alone’

Malta’s foreign minister has posted a volley of Facebooks posts in which he lays the blame for the failure to save asylum seekers at sea at the European Union’s doorstep,…

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EU and Mexico conclude negotiations for new trade agreement

The European Union and Mexico have concluded the last outstanding element of the negotiation of their new trade agreement. Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan and Mexican Minister of Economy Graciela Márquez…

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“Joy, bright spark of divinity and talent” Melania’s rendition of Ode to Joy makes it special in many ways

Over the past few days, our editorial team noticed what can be described an extraordinay feat by talented Melania, who will be turning four in a month’s time, where was…

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EU Commission hosts a European hackathon to develop innovative solutions to fight the outbreak

The European Union's efforts to respond to the COVID crisis include a major participative initiative to harvest the ideas of organisations, experts, and ordinary citizens across the continent. To…

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Maltese arms dealer charged with breaching EU sanctions in Libya

The owner of a major weapons supply company and maritime vessel charterer, James Fenech, was charged with breaching EU sanctions by supplying rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) to Libya according to…

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Malta’s wage subsidies scheme approved by EU under State aid rules

The European Commission has approved a €215 million Maltese wage subsidies scheme to support companies operating in the sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the…

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A strong public health response must not undermine human rights – EU Fundamental Rights Agency

The EU Fundamental Rights Agency appealed that the need for strong public health responses to protect life during the pandemic should not disrespect human rights. "This is not a zero…

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EU leaders agree to build trillion euro emergency fund – divisions remain – Budget date set for May 6th

European Union leaders agreed on Thursday to build a trillion euro emergency fund to help recover from the coronavirus pandemic, avoiding another all-night bust-up but leaving divisive details until the summer.…

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The Single Green Digital Market

by Jesmond Saliba As leaders of the EU 27 get ready for the final round of talks on the multi-billion euro rescue package designed to shore up economies across the…

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EU sets up emergency measures to help farmers and fishermen through pandemic

A number of emergency measures have been approved by the EU in order to provide aid to farmers and fishermen affected by the coronavirus pandemic. These urgent measures are being…

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“This is the time to show that the EU is based on solidarity at all levels” – EP S&D Leader

“This is a crucial moment in our history. We need a Recovery Plan only comparable to the Marshall Plan. In this Parliament, we have been able to overcome ideological divisions…

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EU institutions raise concerns over Zoom

EU Commission staff have been advised not to use video conferencing platform Zoom for official work, after a series of privacy concerns over the California-based tech company. Staff are being…

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On this day in 2003 Malta signed the EU accession treaty

On 1 May 2004 Malta became a member of the European Union. Malta’s quest to join the European community started in 1967 when the Malta government requested an Association Agreement…

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Let Europe rise!

by Jesmond Saliba, Nathanael Muscat, Keith Zahra As the world grapples with the spread of the novel coronavirus, politicians, political experts, social media commentators and the general public have chastised…

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Comuniq.EU – Defence

by Keith Zahra The European Commission has opened calls to finance up to €160 million in joint defence industrial projects in 2020 and announcing seven new defence research projects selected…

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Comuniq.EU – Support to the UK

by Keith Zahra The European Commission has approved a £50 billion (approximately €57 billion) “umbrella” UK scheme to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large corporates in the United…

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Comuniq.Eu – Financial Services

By Keith Zahra A report of the investment services industry carried out by ESMA, the European regulator in this field, concluded that the costs paid by retail investors are significantly…

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Von der Leyen threatens Hungary with legal proceedings over new Covid-19 laws

The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen threatened Hungary with legal proceedings over their new laws to slow the spread of coronavirus, in comments published on Sunday. Von der…

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Covid-19 to dominate German’s EU presidency

The coronavirus outbreak will dominate the agenda of the European Union when Germany takes over the rotating council presidency in the second half of this year, German Foreign Minister Heiko…

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No turning back

by Miriam Dalli In the first two weeks after the pandemic hit the EU, Member States started acting unilaterally on their own and this is not what the EU is…

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UN calls on European countries not to return asylum seekers to Libya

The United Nations has called on the European countries to end the suffering of asylum seekers rescued in the Mediterranean, and not to return them to Libya. The Libyan Observer…

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EU approves €1 billion in incentives to support Croatian economy

The European Commission has approved two Croatian schemes to support the Croatian economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. Croatia notified to the Commission under the Temporary Aid Framework…

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EU finance ministers agree on €500 billion emergency plan to combat Covid-19 recession

EU finance ministers agreed on a compromise strategy Thursday to fight the coronavirus economic fallout with emergency credit lines and spending plans — but no corona bonds. EU member states…

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COVID-19 and the increased risk for Roma communities

The living conditions for Roma communities across Europe have always raised a lot of concerns, they constantly face problems such as overcrowding and poor access to sanitation. Established in 1990, …

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EU to support exit strategies through mobile data and apps

The European Commission is recommending steps and measures to develop a common EU approach for the use of mobile applications and mobile data in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Digital…

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Coronavirus: EU Medical Teams deployed to Italy

A team of European doctors and nurses from Romania and Norway, deployed through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, has been dispatched to Milan and Bergamo to help Italian medical staff…

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Netherlands will support loans from EU funds for short-term medical costs but not economic-recovery measures

The Dutch Finance Minister Wopke Hoekstra said the Dutch government supports easy loans from a European fund for governments to cover short-term medical costs but not economic-recovery measures. Speaking ahead…

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EC designates €160 million for security projects by industry

The European Commission launched a €160 million call for proposals for joint defence industrial projects in 2020. The Commission is looking to fund projects in 12 different defence categories including…

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€8 billion in EU finance for 100,000 SMEs

The European Commission has unlocked €1 billion from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) that will serve as a guarantee to the European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the…

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EU’s SURE response to Coronavirus explained

by Keith Zahra The European Commission is directing all available resources to save lives and support livelihoods in these times of crisis. Today, it has announced the setting up of…

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16,000 British acquired EU citizenship in 2018 – Eurostat

The number of UK citizens who acquired the citizenship of an EU member state in 2018 reached over 16,000, latest figures reveal, more than double the amount registered in 2016…

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EU to revise blueprint for 2021-2027 budget

The European Commission will propose changes to its blueprint for the EU's 2021-2027 budget to address the coronavirus crisis, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on…

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Dear Nurses, Doctors, Care Workers; Europe owes you all a debt of gratitude – Ursula Von der Leyen

by European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen I want to start by thanking all of those who have made this extraordinary session possible in what are truly extraordinary circumstances. It…

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EU leaders to discuss Marshall plan-like stimulus package

EU leaders will on Thursday discuss a “Marshall Plan-like” stimulus package to fight the dire effects of the coronavirus on the bloc’s economies, European Council President Charles Michel said Wednesday.…

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EU finance ministers divided over crises measures

EU finance ministers argued over crisis measures to help European countries withstand the economic shock of the coronavirus outbreak Tuesday, with powerful Germany cautious about rewriting the rulebook, reports Euronews…

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EU issues advice on border management for freight moving across borders

The European Commission issued new practical advice on how to implement its Guidelines for border management, in order to keep freight moving across the EU during the current pandemic. To…

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Germany closing borders to travellers from EU countries

Germany is closing its borders to travelers from other EU countries in response to the coronavirus outbreak, Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said on Wednesday evening. "Today we are taking a…

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EU’s proposed travel ban explained

Travelers from outside Europe will soon be unable to enter the EU, under a new plan aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus and preventing any added burden…

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EU’s external borders and Schengen area to be closed as of noon for 30 days

EU leaders decided to close the bloc's external borders to travelers in an attempt to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. "As of tomorrow noon, external borders of the…

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EU-wide export ban for medical protective equipment

Brussels on Sunday imposed an EU-wide export ban for some medical protective equipment in a bid to keep sufficient supplies within the bloc, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen…

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Erdogan announces new summit with Macron and Merkel for next week

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Tuesday a new summit in Istanbul with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week, with possible attendance of Britain's…

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Refugee situation in Turkish-Greek border under focus in Brussels

EU leaders warned President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday to respect the terms of a previous deal to keep migrants away from Europe's borders, after the Turkish leader came to…

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EU reacts to anti-Semitic celebrations

This article by Denise Grech was published on Diplomatique.Expert International Affairs eJournal. In Malta and all across Europe, carnival is known as a time for celebration and satire. But this year,…

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