European Union

EPP expected to remain the largest grouping after May elections… Farage’s Brexit Party to top EU elections in Britain

An alliance of pro-EU centre right, socialist and liberal parties would win an absolute majority in next month's European Parliament election, though eurosceptic groups will gain ground, a survey showed…

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UK employees work the longest hours in the EU

The British work the longest hours in the EU, but are less productive than those in some other countries according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a federation of trade…

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China wants to work with EU on trade and climate change

As China and the EU gears up for this week's summit, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang wrote in a German newspaper saying China wants to work with the European Union…

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‘European Union’ removed from new British Passports, despite there’s no Brexit yet

The UK government has started issuing British passports without the words “European Union” even though the UK remains a full member of the bloc. It removed the two words from…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Events for the week of…

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Barnier says EU would allow permanent customs union if UK wants it

Michel Barnier, the EU's Brexit negotiator, in a speech in Warsaw, Poland, said that the EU would agree to put a permanent customs union in the political declaration, the text…

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A quick look at the tumultuous relationship between the UK and EU

On the day the UK was supposed to leave the EU, Euronews give a quick but detailed look at how the relationship between the European Union and the United…

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Facebook tightens rules on political ads

Facebook has hardened its rules on political advertising in Europe as pressure from EU regulators increases to do more to guard against foreign meddling ahead of the European Parliament…

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Brexit: EU completes preparations for possible “no-deal” scenario on 12 April

In a press release issued Monday, the European Commission pointed out, that as it is increasingly likely that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union without a deal on…

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Over 270 financial firms fleeing Britain to the EU over Brexit

A report released by a London think tank on Monday said that 275 financial firms are in the process of transferring a combined €1.06 trillion worth of funds, assets and staff…

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Weber insists that Turkey will not become an EU member

Manfred Weber, the European Peoples Party's (EPP) lead candidate to be the new EU Commission President , Wednesday insisted that Turkey will not become an EU member. Weber insisted…

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Formal approval for Ramona Frendo for post of judge to General Court of the EU

An expert panel declared that Maltese nominee for the post of judge to the General Court of the European Union, Dr Ramona Frendo, has been found to satisfy the…

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EU warns ‘no solution’ in sight for Brexit deal

British Brexit negotiations to win changes to Theresa May’s Brexit deal are going badly, and the EU Commission warned that “no solution” is in sight. Talks Tuesday evening in Brussels broke…

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Macron calls for a revision of the Schengen system

French President Emmanuel Macron has made an impassioned defence of a new Europe in a newspaper column published in each of the 28 member states in which he laid out…

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US ends diplomatic spat with the EU

It seems the United States has ended a spat with the European Union over diplomatic protocol. Early this year it emerged that the United States had changed the way it…

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EU plans to place Saudi Arabia on a money laundering blacklist blocked

The Financial Times reported that European Union plans to place Saudi Arabia and four US territories on a money laundering blacklist has suffered a humiliating defeat after virtually unanimous opposition…

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Romania takes over EU Presidency

Romania took over the EU's rotating presidency on Tuesday at a tumultuous time for the bloc and just days after European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker voiced doubts about the country's…

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20 years of the Euro

The euro was launched on January 1, 1999, at first only for accounting and financial transactions, and then three years later as notes and coins. On December 31, 1998, on…

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Former UK Foreign Secretary warns about Russification of Europe

Former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed his concern about the various events which all led towards the Russification of Europe. In an article on The Telegraph, Hague argues "Russia’s…

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European Regional Funds and the multi-annual Financial Framework

Despite Brexit and new priorities, it is important to keep EU funds for all regions - rich and poor - argues EU regions commissioner Corina Cretu in an interview with…

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Putin’s Russia is the major threat for the unity of the European Union – Donald Tusk

Vladimir Putin’s Russia represents a major threat to the unity of the European Union, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said Saturday. Tusk used his speech at a…

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EU allocates €1.5 million to earthquake stricken Indonesia

EU releases €1.5 million in emergency aid for victims of Indonesian earthquake Following the high number of casualties and damages caused by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Indonesia…

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European Leaders pitch new alliance for MEP elections

In a joint op-ed published this morning, Maltese prime minister Joseph Muscat, ALDE chief Guy Verhofstadt and Christophe Castaner, the leader of Emmanuel Macron’s La République En Marche movement, have extended an open invitation to…

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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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Greece, Romania and Italy register highest VAT evasion

Romania (35.88%), Greece (29.2%) and Italy (25.9%) have registered the highest VAT tax evasion in the past years. As a whole, the EU recorded revenue losses on VAT of €…

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Saturday Morning Briefing

Good morning, Your morning briefing with the latest news developments, a review of Malta's newspapers' front pages and the headline digest of the past hours to make sure you start…

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I expect EU to be more respectful – Theresa May

The EU should be clear, I will not overturn the result of the referendum nor will I break up my country. We need serious engagement in resolving the two big…

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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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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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European Parliament vote to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary In a tense vote, a majority of EU lawmakers backed a motion that opens the door to sanctions against…

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Letter of Intent maps plan of action for next months of European Commission efforts

European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker and Vice President Franz Timmermans, said that the EC needs to adopt swiftly a series pending proposals. In a letter of intent, there were…

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State of The Union Speech – Key messages

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker today delivered his 2018 State of the Union Address, before the Members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, presenting his priorities for the year ahead…

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Britain and EU to continue negotiations to achieve deal on Brexit

Britain will hold continuous negotiations with the EU from now on in a bid to achieve a breakthrough in Brexit talks. SkyNews reports that following a meeting with Brexit Secretary Dominic…

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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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UK Government is engaged in good planning and taking precautions in case of a no-deal Brexit

ITV reports that Downing Street has insisted the Government is engaged in “good planning” and taking “sensible precautions” in case there is a no-deal Brexit. Asked if Theresa May would continue…

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Insight: “A will to become politically effective can save the EU from dissolution” – Jurgen Habermas

Simply retreating behind national borders is not an adequate response to the challenges of our time. Why the people of Europe have long since left the political elite behind. …

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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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EU and Japan to sign new Trade Deal to eliminate all tariffs

The European Union and Japan are signing a widespread trade deal that will eliminate nearly all tariffs, seemingly defying the worries about trade tensions set off by President Donald Trump’s…

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Spain and Greece get additional €45.6 million in emergency funds support to respond the migratory challenges

The European Commission has awarded an additional €45.6 million in emergency assistance to support Spain and Greece respond to the migratory challenges they face. The European Commission has awarded an…

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“I dream of a League of European Leagues” – Matteo Salvini

"I am here for a pact of honor and a pact of love". Matteo Salvini said this when he was addressing the traditional Pontida rally for the Lega Nord members for…

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That football shirt exchange during EU Summit

The Guardian: They say sports and politics make uneasy bedfellows, and Theresa May will no doubt now agree. At the start of a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, the British prime…

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Breaking News: EU leaders reach migration deal after night long discussions (Continuously Updated)

The 'Mother of All Summits' gave birth to an agreement on Immigration. The agreement reached before dawn included approval of the full set of Council conclusions, along with the migration…

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European Summit dubbed as ‘Mother of all Summits’ will start today

The European Council will start on Thursday at 15.00 with the traditional exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani. At the first working session the…

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Europol : 68 innocent victims lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks in the EU in 2017

Europol: In 2017, 68 innocent victims lost their lives as a result of terrorist attacks in the European Union (EU) – reason enough for Europol not to reduce its efforts in…

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Eurozone Deal on Greece

Financial Times: Eurozone governments have brokered a long-awaited debt relief deal for Greece, pushing back repayment deadlines on almost €100bn of bailout loans as the country prepares to exit its…

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EU Duties on US goods come into force

BBC The European Union (EU) has introduced retaliatory tariffs on US goods as a top official launched a fresh attack on President Donald Trump's trade policy. The duties on €2.8bn…

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Brexit talks must intensify over summer

RTE: Brexit talks must intensify over the summer, particularly on the issue of the Irish border, or Britain risks being unable to withdraw smoothly from the European Union, Ireland's foreign minister…

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EU launches legal proceedings in WTO against China

The EU has launched legal proceedings in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against Chinese legislation that undermines the intellectual property rights of European companies. Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström said: "Technological innovation…

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Former Chair of Vote Leave campaign applies for ‘carte de sejour’ in France

Nigel Lawson, has denied accusations of Brexit hypocrisy after it emerged he was in the process of applying for a French residency card. The Tory former chancellor who chaired the Vote…

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BREXIT: “Stop playing hide and seek” – Michel Barnier to UK Government

European Union's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier urged the British Government 'to stop playing hide and seek' over the country's aims for trade ties and went on warning that delays…

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Angela Merkel and Vladimir Putin meet

Germany has a strategic interest in good relations with Russia. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said this following meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The meetings focused on Syria, the conflict…

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EU proposes upgrade for Visa Information System

The European Commission proposed to upgrade the Visa Information System (VIS), the database containing information on persons applying for Schengen visas, in order to better respond to evolving security and…

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European Agenda on Migration: Still fragile situation gives no cause for complacency

While joint EU efforts have continued to show results, the situation remains fragile due to ongoing migratory pressure, as evidenced by newly increased arrivals along the Eastern and the Western…

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Juncker to meet Polish Prime Minister amid rule-of-law dispute between Poland and the EU

Poland’s prime minister and the European Commission chief will meet for talks on Wednesday amid a protracted rule-of-law dispute between Warsaw and Brussels, according to reports. Radio Poland, reports that the…

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‘Constructive meeting’ between Iran and and the EU

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has hailed as "very good and constructive" the meeting he had in Brussels with the European Union's foreign-policy chief, Federica Mogherini. Zarif was in…

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WTO rules against the European Union in landmark Airbus, Boeing judgement

The World Trade Organisation ruled on Tuesday the European Union had ignored requests to halt all subsidies to plane maker Airbus, prompting the United States to threaten sanctions against European…

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Iran Nuclear Deal – US doesn’t exclude sanctions on European companies that do business with Iran

The US administration is prepared to impose sanctions on European companies that do business in Iran following his withdrawal of the US from the international nuclear deal. Trump’s most senior foreign policy aides…

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