“We are facing the green and digital transformation of our economies … and it’s very important that in this process we are not leaving countries and regions behind,” Dombrovskis said, speaking ahead of the celebrations of 20 years of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joining the EU. … Read more
“It’s been very successful,” said Daniel Mullaney, the former top U.S. negotiator on trade issues with Europe, of the TTC. “We’ve had high-level attention, including at the presidential levels, on all of these issues. That’s kept the momentum going.” The question now is what happens if Trump wins back the White House in November. Even … Read more
Even though it would rather be the State Chancellery that’s liable for any potential abuse — and not Kariņš himself — he’s now on the way out. As prime minister, he allegedly spent €600,000 on charter flights from the state budget. On top of that, the EU wired another €557,000 to Riga for his trips, … Read more
Given these power dynamics, the protests resulted in two key concessions: First, the EU put its trade talks with Mercosur nations Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay on hold. Second, it carved out a rule that would have forced farmers to leave part of their land untouched, resting the soil and hopefully allowing biodiversity to flourish. … Read more
Slower growth comes on the back of households counting the pennies as they are confronted with higher borrowing rates and decreasing state help to cover energy costs, which shot up after Russia invaded Ukraine two years ago. “After a bruising 2023, the European economy has emerged a little weaker than expected, although the rebound should … Read more
The talks come as the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC), the body representing photovoltaic producers, this week sent a letter to Brussels appealing for “urgent” measures including a swift, EU-led buyout of their inventories. The group argues that subsidized Chinese mass production of solar modules — which currently sell for half the price of their … Read more
Macron, under siege from French farmers who oppose the Mercosur trade accord, wants to raise the issue at an informal summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, along with other grievances that have sparked a wave of rural protests across France. Speaking in Sweden on Tuesday, Macron said he would discuss his concerns with … Read more
Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov on Saturday said his country may fumble the January 1, 2025, target date to join the EU’s currency zone. The country’s target date to adopt the euro was “not sacred,” Denkov said during an appearance on the Bulgarian radio station Darik Radio. “What is sacred is not the date but … Read more
