EU

The Economic & Monetary Union: how has Malta benefitted and what does the future hold?

The European Commission Representation in Valletta, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Malta, hosted a conference "The Economic & Monetary Union: how has Malta benefitted and what does the…

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Europe Explained – Brexit Update

While Brexit negotiations are still underway, the European Commission has clearly indicated November 2018 as the date by which an agreement must be reached in preparation for a final EU/UK…

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Any deal with Kosovo needs to include EU membership for Serbia in 2025 – Serbian Prime Minister

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says any deal with neighboring Kosovo to settle their long-standing disputes would need to include a guarantee of membership from the European Union. "If we ever…

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Italian government blocked addition to Russians’ sanction list

The Italian government blocked a Crimean lawmaker being added to the EU’s Russia sanctions list, according to three diplomats. Politico On Wednesday, the Council of the EU’s Working Party of Foreign…

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Government will ‘limit’ reintroduction of roaming charges in the event of ‘no-deal’ Brexit

The government would put a "limit" on the reintroduction of roaming charges in the event of a no-deal Brexit, Dominic Raab has said amid conflicting reports over whether British consumers will continue to enjoy the…

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State of The Union: One Speech, Six Perspectives

Diplomatique Expert recommends the following reports from different media on how the #SOTEU was reported. Different views and perspectives. Eu Observer Juncker, the 'sad and wiser' man of Europe The…

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Today’s vote is a global symbol of enduring courage – MEP Roberta Metsola

Maltese MEP Roberta Metsola, who led the EPP negotiations on the Hungary issue, told Corporate Dispatch that today's vote underlines what Europe stands for. EU Parliament votes to trigger Article…

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Wednesday Morning Briefing

Good morning The main development of the past hours concerns Libya as rockets were fired on the road to Tripoli Airport and the IS claimed that responsibility for the attack…

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Possibility of EU – US trade deal by November

The US has held out the prospect of a partial trade deal with the EU in the next two months as part of detente in transatlantic commercial relations. After a…

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Extraordinary Brexit Summit expected to take place in November

EU leaders are expected to announce during a meeting in Salzburg next week that an extraordinary Brexit summit will take place in November, as they give Michel Barnier extra encouragement to strike…

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Calls for dedicated EU anti-money laundering agency

The European Central Bank board member Benoit Coeure called for a dedicated EU anti-money laundering on Friday. Addressing the press in the context of the Eurogroup meeting in Vienna on…

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Sunday Morning Briefing

Good morning, The news of the possible death of 'ambassador' and Professor Joseph Mifsud makes it Maltese and International headlines in view of the alleged links between Trump's campaign office…

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Saturday Morning Briefing

Good morning, Your daily Morning Briefing is aimed to deliver the latest news to start the day informed, the Maltese papers review to get an overview of what the headlines…

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EPP cannot be on the side of Merkel and Orban at the same time – Macron

The European Popular Party needs to “clarify its positions” on migrants and respect for the rule of law, since at the same time “it can not be on the side…

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Thursday Morning Briefing

Good morning, A powerful earthquake hit Japan, the two Koreas agreed for a summit later on this month, while Donald Trump's experience at the White House remains an issue for…

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Europe needs a new beginning and more democracy – Manfred Weber

Earlier today, Manfred Weber has announced his intention to be EPP lead candidate and next president of the European Commission. The following is an article submitted for Corporate Dispatch. Dear…

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Hungary’s Fidesz Party committed to EPP

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party is strongly committed to the mainstream conservative group in the European Parliament for elections next year, a top official said, but will still pursue common…

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EU States should take action if they want to save Iran’s nuclear deal – British Junior Minister

A British junior minister held talks in Iran on Saturday as Tehran said European states should take action if they wanted to save Iran’s nuclear deal following Washington’s withdrawal from…

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EU willing to scrap tariffs on all industrial products in its trade talks with US

Politico reports that Brussels is willing to scrap tariffs on all industrial products, including cars, in its trade talks with the United States, EU trade chief Cecilia Malmström said Thursday. “We said…

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EU Commissioner Oettinger warns that Italy would still have to pay interest if it does not pay its budget

European Union Commissioner Guenther Oettinger warned Italy on Wednesday that it would face interest payments if it does not pay its budget contributions on time due to a row over…

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Brexit Update – October deadline might slip; Nursing Union warns of risks on healthcare

The U.K. and the European Union may not meet their self-imposed October deadline for a divorce deal, Britain's Brexit minister said Wednesday. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said October remains the…

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Concern expressed on latest developments in Tripoli

The Libya Observer reports that the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said on its website on Monday that it was following the clashes in and around Tripoli with grave concern, calling…

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EU unity deemed more important by Macron as he outlines French foreign post Brexit foreign policy priorities

France 24 said that President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said preserving European Union unity was more important than forging a close relationship with post-Brexit Britain, and hit out at what he…

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Monday Morning Briefing

Good morning The update about Jacksonville's fatal shooting, Trump's reaction on McCain's death, the Maltese newspapers' front pages, North Korea's reaction to the cancellation of this week's follow up meeting…

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Merkel says EU should achieve set targets rather than change aims in emissions reduction

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is making clear that she opposes setting new, more ambitious European emissions reduction targets for 2030. She says the continent needs to concentrate on fulfilling the…

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EU to address misuse of personal data by political parties

The Financial Times reports that the EU is seeking the power to impose significant fines on European political parties who misuse voters’ personal data to influence elections, as Brussels moves…

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Saturday Morning Briefing

Good morning, Today's morning briefing. The migrants on the Diciotti saga continues as no deal was agreed on Friday. Trump's challenges continues, while he 'engages' in new diplomatic twists in…

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The Update – Diciotti Migrants saga

The Diciotti ship saga, moored in the port of Catania with 150 migrants still on board entered its third day and is charged with new political and judicial tensions. The ship…

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The Update – No Deal Brexit plans revealed and status update

The Conservative government published a series of notes advising people and businesses how to protect themselves from the potential disruption of a 'no deal' break with the E.U. on Thursday,…

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The Telegraph: EU Brexit negotiators fear they are being ‘bugged’ by British secret service

The Telegraph reports that the European Union’s Brexit negotiators fear that they are being bugged by the British secret service after the UK obtained sensitive documents “within hours” of them…

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British expats in the EU launch legal challenge against Brexit referendum

The Guardian reports that British expatriates have launched a fresh legal challenge against the 2016 referendum, arguing that the result has been invalidated by the Electoral Commission’s ruling on leave…

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MV Aquarius: Spain won’t take ship in its harbour (Updated)

Updated: TGCOM reports that sources close to the Spanish government said that Spain is maintaining a position where it would not be allowing the MV Aquarius in its harbour as…

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MSF asks EU where to take people on board Aquarius

TGCOM reports that after saving 141 migrants off Libya with the ship Aquarius, Sos Mediterranée and Doctors Without Borders launched the alarm saying that “The rescued people said they had crossed…

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Merkel & Sanchez discuss fair distribution of migrants across the EU

DW reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel advocated a "fair distribution" of migrants across the EU. She also spoke out against racism during a press conference in Spain after a working lunch…

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Saturday Morning Briefing

Good morning As expected the death of Shannon Mak is the lead story on Malta's Newspapers. Various happenings take different priorities around the world. As we go through 40…

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Bank of England governor warns that there is an uncomfortably high possibility of a no-deal Brexit

Mark Carney has warned that the possibility of a no-deal Brexit is “uncomfortably high” and will lead to higher prices. The Bank of England governor said both the UK and…

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FT: EU softens opposition to May’s post-Brexit plan for London Financial services

The FT reports that the EU’s chief negotiator has softened his opposition to Theresa May’s post-Brexit plan for London’s financial services industry after UK negotiators acknowledged Brussels would have ultimate control…

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Two “outsiders” to politics meet. Here it’s how it went.

Politico / AP / Reuters / New York Times / Euronews / TGCOM / ANSA: Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and US President Donald Trump held a joint press conference following…

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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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Thursday Morning Briefing

Good morning From Malta to Washington, from Pakistan to Brussels, from Syria to France, from Italy to Mars and back... here are the main news as reported by main news…

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Breaking News – USA – EU agree on Trade (Updated)

Both US President Donald Trump and EU President Jean Claude Juncker hailed today's meeting as an important and successful one. In a Press Conference given at the end of their…

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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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Theresa May takes control of Brexit Negotiations

BBC: Theresa May is taking personal control of Brexit talks with the EU, with Dominic Raab deputising for her. Mr Raab was drafted in as Brexit Secretary to replace David Davis,…

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No-deal Brexit will make it ‘illegal’ to pay pensions to retired British expats living in EU, MPs told

The Independent (UK) : It will be “illegal” to pay private pensions to many retired British expats if the UK crashes out of the EU without a deal, MPs have been told.…

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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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Italy doesn’t need EU’s charity on migrants – Salvini

ANSA: Italy doesn't need "charity" from the EU on migrants, Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said Tuesday. "If they want to give money to someone else let them do so, Italy doesn't…

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No deal Brexit would be the blame of the EU – Jeremy Hunt

The Guardian reports that Britain’s foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has warned there is a risk of the UK leaving the EU in March 2019 without a deal because of stalling by the…

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800 White Helmets rescuers and their families evacuated from Syria to Jordan by Israeli forces at the request of USA and EU

Al Jazeera: Israel has evacuated 800 White Helmets rescuers and their families from Syria to Jordan overnight at the request of the United States and European countries. On Twitter, the Israeli military said…

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Protests against changes in the judiciary in Poland

According to Euronews hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Warsaw on Friday (July 20) to protest changes to Poland's judiciary. Four people were detained and two police officers were wounded.The crowd gathered…

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Saturday Morning Briefing

Good morning, From Malta to Kazakistan via Italy, to the UK and Brussels, from Libya to Singapore and our obvious stop in the US our morning briefing presents you how…

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Libya rejects EU plan to establish migrant centres in the country

The Guardian: Libya has rejected a European Union plan to establish migrant centres in the country, adding that its decision would not be swayed by any financial inducements. The formal rejection by…

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Friday Morning Briefing

Good morning The dust haven't settled yet on Monday's summit Trump invites Putin for a second meeting for Autumn, this time in Washington. The EU issued a stark warning to…

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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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