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.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to The Capitals by Euractiv.
In today’s news from the Capitals:
WARSAW
Far-right Confederation MEPs Anna Bryłka and Tomasz Buczek announced that they had joined the recently formed far-right EU group, the Patriots for Europe. Read more.
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EU INSTITUTIONS
Middle East crisis: Commission says EU remains ‘safe haven’ for refugees. The European Commission is avoiding speculation about potential refugees as a result of the current crisis in the Middle East, however, Brussels has made it clear that Europe remains a “safe haven” for those fleeing conflicts. Read more.
Auditors find ‘empty shelves’ despite EU commitment to deliver vaccines. Shortcomings in the EU’s funding of the coordination and delivery of vaccines has led to empty shelves in partnering countries according to the European Court of Auditors in a recent audit. Read more.
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BERLIN
Defiant pro-refugee lawmakers seek ways to challenge German migration U-turn. Discontent with the German government’s harsh rhetoric on migration is increasing as remaining pro-refugee lawmakers resort to the Council of Europe, open letters, and resignations to recentre the debate on human rights. Read more.
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PARIS
‘It is already too late’: Macron urges reform of EU growth model. French President Emmanuel Macron warned in Berlin on Wednesday that EU economic thinking must change urgently, or the union risks being “out in three, four years” against US and Chinese competition. Read more.
Barnier promises unprecedented €60 billion budget measure for 2025. France will take unprecedented action to lower its public deficit for 2025, with the new Barnier government’s advisors announcing plans on Wednesday (2 October) to save €40 billion and potentially earn an additional €20 billion in revenues. Read more.
UK & IRELAND
LONDON | BRUSSELS
Britain and EU to hold regular summits following Starmer’s ‘reset’ trip. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to hold regular leaders’ summits between Britain and the EU following Starmer’s visit to Brussels on Wednesday. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ROME
G7 leaders still hope for diplomatic solution in Middle East, Italy says. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urgently convened a phone conference with G7 leaders on Wednesday in response to the escalating Middle East crisis, resulting in a strong condemnation of Iran’s attack on Israel. Read more.
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MADRID
Spain to send two military plans to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon. Spain will send two military aircraft to Beirut on Thursday to evacuate its citizens from Lebanon amid escalating violence in the region, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Wednesday. Read more.
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LISBON
Portugal’s high debt, budget surplus is an ‘exception’ in EU – Commission advisory body. The European Fiscal Board (EFB), the European Commission’s independent advisory body, considers in its annual report that Portugal is an ‘exception’ in the European Union (EU) for having high debt and achieving a structural surplus. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
WARSAW
Poland hails step towards defusing Ukraine Volyn massacre history row. The Ukrainian Institute of National Remembrance announced it planned to authorise field research in 2025 into the Volyn massacre in western region of Rivne, a dark episode of massacres by Ukrainian nationalists during World War II. Read more.
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KYIV
Ukraine negotiates nuclear plant protection with UN atomic watchdog observers. As Russia is likely to launch attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this winter, Kyiv is currently in talks with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to place foreign observers near its nuclear power plants to protect the country’s energy supply. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Bulgaria strengthens security over Middle East crisis. Bulgaria is stepping up preventive security at some locations in response to the recent events in the Middle East, caretaker Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov announced during a briefing on Wednesday. Read more.
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BUCHAREST | SOFIA | ATHENS
Romania, Greece, Bulgaria request measures to address higher energy prices. Romania, Greece and Bulgaria have requested several measures to address the consistently higher energy market prices in Eastern Europe compared to Western Europe in recent months, with Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja saying on Wednesday that the request would be discussed on 15 October. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen receives several leading European innovation and startup hubs CEOs, in Brussels, Belgium;
- Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson meets with UK Secretary of State for the Home Department Yvette Cooper, in Mirabella Eclano, Italy; Holds meeting with President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov;
- International Partnerships Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen participates in ministerial launch of Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Coordination Platform with Central Asian partners, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan;
- Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski attends official dinner of Business and Policy Networking event “EU 4 Farmers”, in Chisinau, Moldova;
- Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi meets Montenegro Minister of Justice Bojan Bozovic;
- Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary Esther Lynch; Meets with of Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka;
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe, Sofia Mandilara]
Source: euractiv.com
