Macron in Prague to thaw relationship with Central Europe

Macron in Prague to thaw relationship with Central Europe | INFBusiness.com

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by Euractiv’s media network. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.

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In today’s news from The Capitals:

PARIS

French President Emmanuel Macron will be in Prague on Tuesday to meet Czech President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala to reinforce a “political and strategic dialogue” over support for Ukraine. Read more.

France eases recruitment criteria for non-EU agricultural workers. The French government has included agriculture in its list of “short-staffed” sectors to facilitate the recruitment of non-Europeans already irregularly working in France as part of efforts to fill the labour gap. Read more.

France enshrines abortion in its Constitution, a world first. France has become the first country in the world to enshrine the right of women to have an abortion in the constitution, following a vote from MPs and senators who met in Congress at the Château de Versailles on Monday. Read more.

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BERLIN

Wikileaks founder Assange should not be extradited to the US, Germany’s Scholz says. British judges should protect Wikileaks founder Julian Assange from extradition to the US, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday in an unusual intervention, adding that the proportionality of Assange’s punishment in the US was questionable. Read more.

NORDICS AND BALTICS

HELSINKI

Finland’s top military official says European NATO countries must exceed 2% pledge. European countries need to increase their defence budgets and the capacity of their defence industries beyond 2% of their GDP, Timo Kivinen said in his last speech as commander of the Finnish Defence Forces on Monday. Read more.

EUROPE’S SOUTH

ATHENS

Greece’s data watchdog investigates MEP’s mass emails to voters abroad. Greece’s independent Data Protection Authority has launched an investigation after numerous Greek voters living abroad complained that centre-right MEP Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou (EPP) sent them pre-election emails without their consent. Read more.

EASTERN EUROPE

PRAGUE

Czech environment minister calls for expanded EU carbon border measures. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) should cover more products, such as building or textile materials, Czech Environment Minister Petr Hladík told Euractiv Czechia, adding that it could encourage the world to reduce emissions. Read more.

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WARSAW

Tusk government begins restoring judicial independence in Poland. The government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk has launched plans to reform the judiciary under the label of restoring the rule of law in Poland following the rule of the conservative PiS, Justice Minister Admar said in a presentation of the plan on Monday. Read more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgaria negotiates with Azerbaijan to boost gas supplies to Balkans, Ukraine. Bulgaria has started negotiations with Azerbaijan to increase gas supplies to Romania, Moldova and Ukraine through the future vertical Balkan gas corridor, the Bulgarian parliament’s press centre announced on Monday. Read more.

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BUCHAREST

EU’s next Commission needs disinformation portfolio, says Romanian MEP. The next European Commission needs a dedicated portfolio to combat disinformation as Russian President Vladimir Putin uses it as a weapon to weaken democracy by stoking mistrust of the EU, Eugen Toma, Romanian MEP and President of the People’s Movement Party (EPP), said at an event organised by Euractiv’s partner HotNews. Read more.

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ZAGREB

Croatian parliament to be dissolved by 22 March. The Croatian Parliament will be dissolved by 22 March at the latest and general elections will be held before the European Parliament elections scheduled for 9 June in Croatia, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced on Monday afternoon. Read more.

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TIRANA

Kucova NATO airbase officially opens in Albania. NATO’s Kucova air base in Albania was officially opened on Monday in the presence of key government officials, including Prime Minister Edi Rama, who described it as an important security element for the Western Balkans and the wider region. Read more.

AGENDA:

EU: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen chairs College of Commissioners meeting;
Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič delivers keynote speech at Clean Aviation Annual Forum 2024; Speaks at Energy Transition Forum; Delivers opening remarks at “European Climate Pact: Community driving the change” event;
Vice President Vĕra Jourová holds meetings with Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Grigor Minasyan, Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin; Speaks at Nobel Prize Dialogue “Fact & Fiction: The Future of Democracy”; Speaks at Reporters Without Borders Launch of Svoboda Satellite Package;
Vice President Margaritis Schinas hosts Director of the National Human Rights Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan Akmal Saidov, First Vice President of the Senate of Uzbekistan Sodyq Safoev, and Special representative of the Senate Abdulaziz Kamilov;
Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit attends housing ministers European conference, organised by the Belgian Presidency;
Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson participates in trilogue on EU Long-term residents Directive;
Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski speaks at #AGRIFOOD24 convention on agriculture and the food supply chain;
Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra participates in European Climate Pact Annual Event 2024;
Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi hosts OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro; Hosts delegation from Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE);
Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Commissioner Iliana Ivanova delivers keynote speech at “European Fashion Alliance Conference: The Status of European Fashion”;
Czech Republic: French President Emmanuel Macron on official visit;
Russia: Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks at forum for cooperation between Russia and muslim countries;