European Union

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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“Europe and solidarity go together. Solidarity is part of Europe’s founding pact” – Juncker

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned against populism in his address at the State of the Union conference in Florence on Friday. "Populists and nationalist have had material to feed…

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European Commission launches online public consultation

On Europe Day, the European Commission launched an online public consultation addressed to all Europeans, asking them what direction they want the European Union to take in the future. This…

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The EU takes an active role to try to salvage the Nuclear Deal

The Guardian reports that "The European Union is scrambling to arrange a crisis meeting with Iran after Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear agreement, as the Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said…

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Europe Day

Today is Europe Day. Observed on May 9 each year, this day marks the presentation of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which proposed and eventually led to the creation of a…

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Proposals at EU level to deal with unfair competition rules in the airline industry

Watered-down proposals to tackle unfair competition from foreign airlines seem to be accepted by European diplomats. Countries, such as France and Germany, and the European Parliament, have pushed for airlines’…

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Malta and Estonia register highest increase in CO2 emissions – Eurostat

Eurostat estimates that in 2017 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion increased by 1.8% in the European Union (EU), compared with the previous year. CO2 emissions are a…

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DiscoverEU – 15,000 teenagers to benefit from free Interrail pass

The European Commission took its first steps towards implementing a scheme that will give 15,000 teenagers a free Interrail pass once they turn 18 at the start of 2018. This…

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Karl Marx isn’t responsible for all the atrocity his alleged heirs have to answer for – Jean Claude Juncker

Jean Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission defended Karl Marx’s record as a philosopher, arguing that he is not “responsible” for mistakes and atrocities committed in his name…

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EU Spring 2018 Economic Forecast: Expansion to continue amid new risks

"The economic expansion in Europe is set to continue at a solid pace this year and next, supporting further job creation. However, we also see increased risks on the horizon.…

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European Commission proposed its post Brexit Budget – It proposes a new mechanism to protect the EU budget from financial risks linked to generalised deficiencies regarding the rule of law

The European Commission today unveiled its proposed budget for 2021-2027 describing it as a a pragmatic and modern. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Today is an important moment for our Union.…

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Malta fl-Ewropa – 14-il sena wara. Riflessjonijiet

Erbatax-il sena ilu, Malta saret membru sħiħ tal-Unjoni Ewropeja. Kien mument storiku li għext mill-viċin u kellu tifsira kbira għal pajjiżi u għalija. Tul dawn l-erbatax-il sena pajjiżi inbidel u…

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BREXIT- The Lords deal another blow to May

The House of Lords has voted for an amendment to the Brexit withdrawal bill which gives the Parliament the final say on what the UK government should do if the deal…

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EU Commission proposes new rules to facilitate free movement of companies, safeguarding against unfair treatment of employees and tax evasion

The European Commission has proposed new rules aimed at facilitating the free movement of companies within the Union. This proposal seeks to harmonise rules on moving, merging and dividing companies…

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