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:
ROME
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will miss Friday’s high-level meeting in Berlin where German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden will discuss key global issues – a no-show that has already raised concerns in Italy about the country’s relevance on the world stage. Read more.
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BERLIN
Germany, Norway press NATO allies to divide responsibility for underwater infrastructure protection. Amid attempts to boost underwater infrastructure safety, Germany and Norway proposed dividing NATO’s territory into five maritime regions, each protected by one member of the alliance. Read more.
Germany banking on more electric as way out of auto crisis. Germany’s powerful car industry is struggling to keep up with global competition, but industry leaders and politicians are now resorting to old tricks to ensure the country can compete in electric mobility. Read more.
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PARIS
French government confirms purchase of new aircraft carrier despite budget cuts. The French Ministry of Defence’s confirmation of the order for the next-generation aircraft carrier (PANG) to replace the Charles de Gaulle one has raised concerns as its budget is expected only to be finalised by the end of 2025 amid a growing public deficit. Read more.
Paris and Berlin’s letter for an EU-UK migration deal was never ‘received’ by the Commission. A letter drafted by French and German Interior ministers, asking the Commission to seek a negotiating mandate for a future EU-UK migration deal, was never formally received by the Commission, Euractiv has learnt. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
MADRID
No regularisation for migrants who enter EU illegally, says Vox leader. Migrants entering the EU illegally should know that they will never be regularised, Santiago Abascal, the leader of Spain’s far-right Vox party, said on Thursday, while pointing to the Italian-Albanian migrant outsourcing model as an interesting alternative to ease the current crisis. Read more.
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LISBON
Portuguese PM asks for EU budget top-up. There should be an increase in the EU budget, with more contributions from member states, a new joint debt issue and private funds, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said in Brussels on Thursday. Read more.
Portugal ready to receive migrants but not ‘with doors wide open’. Portugal is ready to receive immigrants but will not do so “with its doors wide open”, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said on Thursday, expressing support for EU mechanisms to guarantee the return of migrants in irregular situations. Read more.
EASTERN EUROPE
CHISINAU
State authorities: More than 300 people trained abroad to destabilise Moldova. Moldovan citizens were trained in Moscow, as well as in Bosnia and Serbia, including by Wagner fighters, to destabilise Moldova, the Moldovan police, the Security and Intelligence Service (SIS), and the prosecutor’s office said in a joint statement on Thursday. Read more.
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WARSAW
Tusk says EU countries understand his government’s stance on asylum. The Polish government’s position on asylum rights has been heard and understood by EU countries, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said after what he described as fruitful talks on migration at the European Council summit on Thursday. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Bulgaria suffers sharp drop in foreign investment. Net foreign investment in Bulgaria will be four times lower in 2024 than in the previous year, according to preliminary data from the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) released on Thursday. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell participates in the G7 Ministerial meeting on defence, in Naples, Italy; Participates in New Economy Forum;
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Mandilara]
Source: euractiv.com
