European Commission

Eurozone finance ministers urge Italy to redraft budget plan

Economy Minister Giovanni Tria has "understood" the need to act within the EU rules on Italy's 2019 budget bill, Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Monday. ANSA reports Moscovici said "he is…

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Eurozone ministers meet in Brussels to discuss Italy’s budget standoff

Eurozone finance ministers gathering in Brussels on Monday will discuss Italy's escalating budget standoff with the EU as the bloc waits for the government in Rome to respond to the…

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Europe Explained – European Commission’s position on Italian budget

The Commission has issued an opinion on the Italian draft budgetary plan for 2019. It requests that Italy presents a revised draft budgetary plan as soon as possible, and in…

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Friday Morning Briefing

Good morning, In the last hours, there were significant changes from the US administration, in their view on the Khashoggi's murder with President Trump affirming that he believes that Khashoggi…

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EU sends Italian budget back to sender

Brussels has reprimanded Italy’s populist government for breaking EU deficit rules in its first budget, putting the European Commission on course for an unprecedented rejection of a eurozone member’s spending…

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Italy’s budget standoff (Updated)

Update: Brussels has reprimanded Italy’s populist government for breaking EU deficit rules in its first budget, putting the European Commission on course for an unprecedented rejection of a eurozone member’s…

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US-EU trade gets in Mid-Term electoral narrative and ‘fragile’ peace deal on trade seems to be at a breaking point

Europe’s fragile peace deal with the U.S. on trade is at a breaking point. Washington is again threatening high tariffs on Europe’s all-important car industry just as U.S. President Donald…

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8 additional cancer-causing chemicals, including diesel exhaust, will be covered by the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive

The European Parliament and the Council came to an agreement on the Commission’s second proposal to broaden the list of recognised cancer-causing chemicals in the workplace. With this agreement, 8 additional…

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Thursday Morning Briefing

Good morning, The strike ordered by the MUT shares the centre stage of Malta's newspapers, with the news of the intention to have binding demands from the European Commission on…

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European Commission propose additional support for UNRWA to allow the agency to keep providing access to education, primary health care and assistance to Palestine refugees

The European Commission proposed additional support for UNRWA to allow the agency to keep providing access to education for 500,000 Palestine refugee children, primary health care for more than 3.5…

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Hate speech, xenophobia and extreme nationalism addressed by Commissioner Jourova

"We have to translate the Charter into basic principles. These principles should become an anchor in this fast changing, confusing world – simply the bedrock of our society. The bad…

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Tuesday Morning Briefing

Good morning Your morning briefing with the latest news from around the globe, a newspaper review from Malta and a headline digest of the main news chosen in the past…

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European Commission refers Poland to Court of Justice

The European Commission decided to refer Poland to the Court of Justice of the EU due to the violations of the principle of judicial independence created by the new Polish…

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From ‘Don’t look back in anger’, to ‘humiliation’ – How the media reacted to Salzburg’s summit

Europe’s newspapers were all about the acrimonious EU summit held in Salzburg, Austria on Wednesday and Thursday, at which U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May warned she is prepared to walk away from negotiations…

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Almost unanimous backing among EU leaders for another Brexit referendum – Malta’s PM Joseph Muscat

There is "almost unanimous" backing among European Union leaders for Britain to hold another referendum on Brexit, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Thursday. "We would like the almost impossible…

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Macron appeals for EU leaders to maintain ‘tough’ Brexit approach

Emmanuel Macron has appealed to his fellow European leaders to maintain their tough approach to Brexit in response to Theresa May’s demand for compromise and accusations that the French president wants…

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BMW, Daimler and VW (Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche) investigated for collusion in breach of EU antitrust rules

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether BMW, Daimler and VW (Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche) colluded, in breach of EU antitrust rules, to avoid competition on…

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Maros Sefcovic announces his bid for the presidency of the European Commission

Maros Sefcovic, a Slovak currently overseeing EU energy policy, announced on Monday his bid for the presidency of the European Commission, the bloc's top job, vowing to tackle the "barbed-wire"…

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Poland will oppose any sanctions imposed on Hungary

Poland, said it will oppose any sanctions imposed by the bloc on fellow member Hungary, accused of floating EU rules on democracy. “Every country has its sovereign right to make…

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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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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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European finance ministers agree to intensify talks on tech tax

European finance ministers have agreed to intensify negotiations on an EU-wide tax targeting the revenues of Google, Apple and other technology giants even as several member states said that they…

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Diplomatique Expert recommends…

As traditional parties stumble, Europe’s top job is up for grabs - Politico As we entered the holiday period, the front-runners in the race for the European Commission presidency…

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Weber announces intention to be EPP lead candidate and next President of the European Commission

Manfred Weber announces intention to be EPP lead candidate and next president of the European Commission. Europe is at a turning point. European Elections 2019 will decide the future of…

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Macron’s party will not support political groups that back ‘Spitzenkandidat’ process

Emmanuel Macron’s La République En Marche will not support any European political group that backs the so-called Spitzenkandidat or “favored candidate” process, Christophe Castaner, the movement’s chief executive, said on…

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European Ombudsman says that procedures weren’t followed in appointment of Martin Selmayr – European Commission defends the appointment (UPDATED)

The European Commission on Tuesday defended the appointment of Martin Selmayr as its secretary-general after an EU watchdog said the move “stretched and possibly even overstretched the limits of the law.” Commission spokesman Margaritis…

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2019 – a year of changes at European Institutions

2019 will bring a lot of changes in the European Institutions as various roles' terms expire. Financial Times Europe’s biggest jobs reshuffle is at hand. Never have so many…

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Food labelling and Irish border on BREXIT talks agenda

Michel Barnier is refusing to back down on establishing a border in the Irish Sea to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, and has publicly asked the British…

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Saturday Morning Briefing

Good morning, The following briefing brings you the latest news from Malta, 13 countries around the Europe and the world and 4 main institutions following a review of the highlights…

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Europeans want end of seasonal clock changes

The European Union is to propose ending twice-yearly clock changes after a large-scale public survey, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Friday. According to Juncker, more than 80% of EU citizens…

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Manfred Weber expected to announce he is running to be Spitzenkandidat

Manfred Weber is expected to formally announce he is running to be Spitzenkandidat at an EPP meeting next Wednesday, a senior EPP official said. POLITICO reports that Manfred Weber has received Angela Merkel’s backing to…

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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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Conte argues that Malta (and other countries) did not honour its commitment in the last Pozzallo disembarking of migrants

Italy's prime minister has allowed all child migrants on the coastguard ship that docked in the port of Catania on Monday into Italy The legal agency in Sicily responsible for…

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European diplomats vow to work together to preserve nuclear deal with Iran

Europe's top diplomats have vowed to work together to preserve a multinational nuclear deal with Iran, as US President Donald Trump signed an executive order paving the way for the…

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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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EU Commission against Belgian decision of charging journalists to attend EU summits

Politico reports that a Belgian decision to charge journalists €100 per year to attend summits of EU leaders was criticized by unions and the European Commission. Journalists were informed this week…

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EU warned by UK negotiators by making implicit threat to EU interests

The Guardian reports that UK negotiators have told their counterparts in Brussels that about 7,000 European-based investment funds that rely on British clients for their cash and profits will be hit…

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Polish controversial judicial changes signed into laws

Euronews: Polish President Andrzej Duda signed into law on Thursday a measure allowing the government to choose the next Supreme Court chief despite protesters claiming it violates judicial independence. In spite…

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Friday Morning Briefing

Good morning, Your Morning Briefing provides you with the salient news of the main happenings in Malta, Europe and the World. Wishing you a good day. Greece has “serious…

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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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Wednesday Morning Briefing

Good morning, The apocalyptic scenes from Greece, the deaths and the drama related to the wildfires dominate European headlines. In Malta the Egrant inquiry publication remains the main story, though…

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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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May urges EU to evolve position on Irish border

FT: Theresa May on Friday urged the EU to “evolve” its position in the Brexit talks to resolve the vexed question of the Irish border, and warned Eurosceptics in the Conservative…

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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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Google accuses Brussels of trying to dismantle its business model

Financial Times: Google accused Brussels of trying to dismantle its lucrative business model for smartphones and other mobile devices on Thursday, as it considered asking for emergency court protection against the…

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Thursday Morning Briefing

Good morning, From Trump's back pedalling to the Queen's messages hidden in brooches. From the court room in Valletta to the temporary beach volley court in the same city. Our…

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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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Wednesday Morning Briefing

Good morning, Matteo Salvini denounces photos of people stranded at sea by Libya as fake after being accused that this is a result of his action. Donald Trump blames his…

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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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The Saturday Morning Briefing

Good morning, He came, he disrupted, he conquered. Or not? For sure he conquered the headlines. In a nutshell that's the essence of Trump's visit to the UK impact. However…

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The Friday Morning Briefing

Good morning, The world news scene was 'overshadowed' by Trump's tirades and comments at NATO summit and in Britain. He can easily be dubbed as a the 'agent of disruption'…

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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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