EU

EU Energy Ministers seek common ground on possible gas cuts

Russian gas giant Gazprom's announcement that it will further slash deliveries to Europe this week is politically motivated, European Union energy chief Kadri Simson said on Tuesday (July 26), disputing the company's claim that…

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Update : Orban says EU trying to impose values, calls for new strategy on Ukraine war

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban used an annual forum in Romania to lash out at Western allies, whom he claimed are trying to impose foreign values on his country, and…

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EU debates revised plan to reduce gas use after opposition

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -European envoys debated revisions on Friday to a proposal by the EU executive that all bloc members cut natural gas use to prepare for potential Russian supply cuts,…

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Inflation in Malta tops 6%, but still lowest in the EU

The euro area annual inflation rate reached a staggering 8.6% in June 2022, up from 8.1% in May, Eurostat said today. A year earlier, the rate was 1.9%. European Union…

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EU signs deal with Azerbaijan to double gas imports by 2027

BRUSSELS, July 18 (Reuters) - The European Commission signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday with Azerbaijan to double imports of Azeri natural gas to at least 20 billion cubic metres a year by…

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EU to buy forest firefighting planes as climate crises intensify

The European Union is in talks with manufacturers to buy firefighting planes to battle the increased risk of severe wildfires like those raging in Southern Europe, the bloc's head of crisis management told…

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Russia’s Gazprom tells Europe gas halt beyond its control

Russia's Gazprom has told customers in Europe it cannot guarantee gas supplies because of 'extraordinary' circumstances, according to a letter seen by Reuters, upping the ante in an economic tit-for-tat…

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EU seeks to keep up support for Ukraine despite economic damage

European Union foreign ministers sought on Monday to show that the bloc can maintain its financial and military support for Ukraine despite the serious inflationary impact on EU economies five months after Russia's…

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End of the Road – European Investment Bank to cut funding on road infrastructure – FT

July 17 (Reuters) - The lending arm of the European Union said it will cut its funding on road infrastructure to stay in line with its climate goals, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.…

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N. Macedonia votes to end dispute with Bulgaria, clears way for EU talks

SKOPJE (Reuters) -Lawmakers in North Macedonia on Saturday passed a French-brokered deal aimed at settling a dispute with Bulgaria and clearing the way to long-due European Union membership talks. With…

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UPDATE – EU, Azerbaijan plan gas deal in pivot away from Russia

BRUSSELS, July 14 (Reuters) - The European Commission has proposed to EU countries a deal with Azerbaijan to increase imports of natural gas and support the expansion of a pipeline to do this, according…

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EU agenda

Here are the latest events at the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission: 5 June:Digital Services Package: Parliament will hold the final vote on the new Digital Services…

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EU’s green gas and nuclear investment rules head for final vote

BRUSSELS, July 5 (Reuters) - The EU's plan to label investments in gas and nuclear power plants as climate-friendly faces a final vote on Wednesday when European lawmakers decide whether to accept…

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Ukraine PM: Rich Russians should pay the bill to rebuild

LUGANO, Switzerland (Reuters) -The cost of rebuilding Ukraine following Russia's invasion could reach $750 billion and rich Russians should help pay the bill, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on…

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Brussels pushes for tougher sanctions enforcement via EU-wide body – FT

Financial Times - Senior Brussels officials are discussing the creation of an EU-wide sanctions authority, as they push for tougher and more consistent enforcement of penalties related to the war…

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Fight over funding threatens EU deal on new climate laws

BRUSSELS, June 28 (Reuters) - A dispute over how to shield low-income citizens from European Union policies to put a price on pollution is threatening to prevent the bloc's countries from agreeing…

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EU ministers seek deals on climate laws as economy woes test green pledges

LUXEMBOURG (Reuters) -European Union ministers began talks on Monday to approve new laws to fight climate change, but diplomatic sources said economic pressures could prompt efforts to water down some of the…

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Smiles – and no talk of Brexit – as Macron and Johnson warm up at G7

SCHLOSS ELMAU, Germany, June 26 (Reuters) - After clashing last year over sausages and submarines, France's Emmanuel Macron and Britain's Boris Johnson were all smiles at a G7 summit on Sunday, with…

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Europe must give developing nations alternative to Chinese funds – EU’s von der Leyen

BERLIN (Reuters) - Europe will mobilize 300 billion euros in private and public funds over five years to fund infrastructure in developing countries as part of the G7's drive to…

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EU cautious on Russia gold ban, oil price cap – Michel

SCHLOSS ELMAU, Germany, June 26 (Reuters) - The European Union gave a cautious response on Sunday to plans by fellow G7 members to ban imports of Russian gold, and said it needed…

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EU’s Borrell in talks to revive Iran’s nuclear pact

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell met Iran's top diplomat on Saturday, Iranian state TV reported, as the bloc seeks to break an impasse between Tehran and Washington over reinstating a nuclear pact. The United States said…

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EU leaders to debate economy woes as Russia squeezes gas supplies

BRUSSELS, June 24 (Reuters) - European Union leaders will turn on Friday from celebration over Ukraine's start on the road to membership of their bloc to consternation over Russia's squeeze on their…

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Ukraine takes tentative step towards EU membership as Donbas battles reach ‘fearsome climax’

Ukraine will be accepted as a candidate to join the European Union on Thursday, a move that will boost the country's morale as the battle with Russian troops for two cities in…

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EU survey finds Maltese prioritise price stability over freedom and democracy

According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, Europeans are much more likely to consider that the defence of freedom anddemocracy must be a priority even if it impacts prices and cost…

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EU leaders to keep sanction pressure on Russia, gold flagged as new target

European Union leaders aim to maintain pressure on Russia at their summit this week by committing to further work on sanctions, a draft document showed, with gold among assets that…

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As battles in Ukraine’s east grind on, NATO warns of long war

KYIV, June 19 (Reuters) - The war in Ukraine could last for years, the head of NATO said on Sunday, calling for steadfast support from Ukraine's allies as Russian forces battle for…

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NATO warns of long Ukraine war as Russian assaults follow EU boost for Kyiv

KYIV, June 19 (Reuters) - The war in Ukraine could last for years, the head of NATO said on Sunday, as Russia stepped up its assaults after the European Union recommended that Kyiv become a candidate to join the bloc. Jens Stoltenberg said…

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MEPs object to Commission’s plan to include gas and nuclear activities as climate-friendly

Two European Parliament committees on Tuesday backed an attempt to stop the EU labelling gas and nuclear energy as climate-friendly investments, setting the stage for a full parliament vote on…

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EU warns of rising narcotics production in Europe as new drugs hit market

Narcotics production is growing in Europe, according to an estimate published on Tuesday by the EU drugs agency, which warned of a proliferation of new psychoactive substances being sold and…

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UPDATED: EU’s von der Leyen tells Zelenskiy opinion on membership ready next week

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a visit to Kyiv that the EU executive's opinion on Ukraine's request to join the European Union would…

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Scholz calls for EU to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania

SKOPJE (Reuters) - The European Union should kick off accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania to finally fulfil its pledge to integrate the Western Balkans, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz…

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Young people in Malta buy more fake products and continue to access pirated content

The 2022 edition of the Intellectual Property and Youth Scoreboard, released today by the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), provides an update on the behaviours of young people towards…

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European Parliament to tackle hundreds of amendments in key votes on climate policies

he European Parliament will vote this week on a raft of EU climate change policies designed to cut Europe's emissions over the next decade, with proposals facing multiple amendments and the outcome…

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FACTBOX-EU’s 6th sanctions package against Russia, including oil

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU countries have reached agreement on their sixth package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including a complete import ban on all Russian seaborne crude oil…

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Lukashenko and Putin are two sides of the same coin – Metsola

“Lukashenko and Putin are two sides of the same coin”, EP President Roberta Metsola said during an EU Summit in Brussels. “Sanctions on Russia must go hand in hand with…

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EU fails to agree on Russian oil ban as leaders gather for summit

BRUSSELS, May 30 (Reuters) - EU countries failed to agree on a Russian oil import ban despite last-minute haggling before a summit got under way in Brussels on Monday, exposing a struggle…

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Malta: Early school leavers drop by a half over a decade

The share of 'early school leavers,’ a term that refers to early leavers from education and training (aged 18-24), has steadily decreased in the EU over the last 10 years,…

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EU Agreement on gas storage is unprecedent – former EP President

EU countries have committed to filling underground gas storage facilities on their territory, aiming for 85% - at least - of their capacity by 1 November 2022 as Member States…

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MEPs back proposal setting minimum 15% corporate tax rate

MEPs approved a Commission proposal implementing the recent international agreement on a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. The report, authored by Aurore Lalucq (S&D, FR) was adopted by…

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EU won’t relax green goals because of Ukraine war – Dombrovskis

The European Union is not planning to relax its ambitious goal of moving away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, European Commission Vice…

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Eurozone registers better than expected growth in first quarter

Euro zone economic growth was stronger than previously expected in the first quarter, revised data showed on Tuesday, and employment rose too, showing the euro zone expanded at the solid…

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EU clarifies how companies can legally pay for Russian gas

The European Commission has explained how EU companies can pay for Russian gas without breaching the bloc's sanctions against Russia, in an updated guidance on the issue seen by Reuters. The Commission…

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EU has not yet found agreement on oil embargo against Russia, Borrell says

The European Union has not yet found agreement on a sixth package of sanctions against Russia, its top diplomat Josep Borrell said after a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers…

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EU hopeful for Russian oil embargo deal in May, diplomats say

BRUSSELS, May 13 (Reuters) - The European Union still aims to agree a phased embargo on Russia oil this month despite concerns about supply in eastern Europe, four diplomats and officials said…

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European Commission launches visionary 3D “Voice your Vision” platform during the European Year of Youth 2022

When President Ursula von der Leyen announced the European Year of Youth for 2022, she wanted Europe to listen carefully to its young people, to better shape the Union in…

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French minister Beaune: EU deal on Russian oil ban could be reached this week

French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune said European Union members could reach a deal this week on the EU Commission's proposal to ban all oil imports from Russia. "I think we could…

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Ireland calls for partnership not threats from UK on Brexit protocol

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The European Union needs partnership from Britain rather than threats of unliateral action if the two sides are to reach a compromise on post-Brexit trade rules for…

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EU edges towards oil sanctions on Russia, no deal yet

BRUSSELS, May 8 (Reuters) - European Union governments moved closer on Sunday to agreeing tough sanctions against Russia that include a ban on buying Russian oil, but scheduled more talks for Monday…

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EU energy ministers hold crisis talks after Russian gas cuts

BRUSSELS, May 2 (Reuters) - Energy ministers from European Union countries hold emergency talks on Monday, as the bloc strives for a united response to Moscow's demand that European buyers pay for…

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UK and EU at impasse over changes to N.Ireland protocol

Britain and the European Union are at an impasse over changes to parts of the Brexit deal governing trade with Northern Ireland, Britain's Europe minister James Cleverly told a parliamentary…

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MEPs approve proposals on minimum corporate rate of 15%

MEPs on Thursday broadly approved the Commission proposal implementing into law the international agreement on a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. The report, authored by Aurore Lalucq (S&D,…

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EU estimates up to 80% of population has had COVID

The European Commission said that between 60% and 80% of the EU population was estimated to have been infected with COVID-19, as the bloc enters a post-emergency phase in which mass reporting of…

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Stop relying on Russia, Ukraine warns Europe after gas shutoff

Europe should stop depending on Russia for trade after Moscow halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland for not paying in roubles, Ukraine said, as the shutoff exposed the continent's…

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Borrell says no EU agreement on Russian energy embargo

BERLIN, April 25 (Reuters) - There is insufficient support from European Union member states for a complete embargo or punitive tariff on Russian oil and gas imports, the EU's top diplomat Josep…

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Russia expels 18 EU diplomats from Moscow

(Reuters) - Russia on Friday expelled 18 European Union diplomats in retaliation for Brussels' decision to declare 19 Russians personae non gratae earlier this month. The EU on April 5…

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ECB cannot ensure growth, but should stabilize prices – Lindner

Inflation is the biggest threat to public finances and the European Central Bank should act on its mandate to stabilise prices, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner told Reuters, as the ECB kept…

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EU plans to counter Russia with food diplomacy in North Africa, Balkans

The EU aims to address rising wheat and fertilizer prices and expected shortages in the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle East with "food diplomacy" to counter Russia's narrative on…

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