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:
BRUSSELS
The new leader of Europe’s conservative political camp (EPP), Bavarian Manfred Weber, has triggered a strong reaction from EU socialists after he accused them of “carelessly spending money” and urged the European Commission to show the “red card” to Socialist Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Read more.
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EU INSTITUTIONS
Hungary stalls EU sanctions over Russian patriarch blacklisting. Hungary was holding up Wednesday (1 June) the approval of a new round of EU sanctions on Russia, including a ban on most oil imports, over opposition to blacklisting the Russian patriarch, diplomats said. Read more.
Egypt calls for EU dam support as relations intensify. The Egyptian president has called for EU support for his country’s position on the ‘existential’ Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as the two sides look to step up political and economic relations against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Read more.
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BERLIN
Berlin promises Ukraine heavy weapons, but delivery may take months. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised to send Ukraine heavy weapons, including air defence systems, though Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was quick to dash hopes of speedy delivery. Read more.
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PARIS
French diplomats on strike over civil service reform. France’s diplomatic staff will strike on Thursday in response to a decree that will abolish the diplomatic corps and the special status they currently enjoy from 2023. Read more.
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THE HAGUE | BERLIN
The Netherlands, Germany announce joint North Sea drilling operation. The Netherlands and Germany will drill for gas in the North Sea together, with production expected to start in 2024, the Dutch government has announced. Read more.
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VIENNA
Austrian chancellor warns of neglecting migration issues amid Ukraine war. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer reiterated that the migration policy issue should not be left by the wayside while speaking at the European People Party’s congress in Rotterdam. Read more.
UK AND IRELAND
DUBLIN
Urgent action needed if Ireland to meet climate targets, agency says. Urgent and additional measures are needed if Ireland is to meet the climate targets it has set for itself, the country’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said in a newly released report. Read more.
NORDICS AND BALTICS
HELSINKI
Finland opens fast-track immigration service for skilled workers. A new fast track service for high-skilled workers whose work requires expert knowledge was launched by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) on Wednesday (1 June). Read more.
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COPENHAGEN
Denmark to join EU defence policy after historic vote. Denmark will join the European Union’s defence policy after a referendum on Wednesday, final results showed, signalling the latest shift among Nordic countries to deepen defence ties in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Read more.
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STOCKHOLM
Sweden’s former environment minister slams government’s green policies. Sweden’s former Environment Minister Per Bolund criticised the government’s climate policy ahead of the “Stockholm+50” UN climate meeting in the capital on Thursday and Friday. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ATHENS
Greek former PM ‘not sure’ the US wants to end Ukraine war. Washington plays a decisive role in addressing the crisis in Ukraine, but its motivationn to end the war are not clear, conservative former Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis has said.
His statement comes amid a fierce clash in Greek politics over the ruling New Democracy party’s (EPP) decision to send more weapons to Ukraine without informing the parliament. The Greeks learnt the news from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz after he announced an arms swap deal with Athens.
Meanwhile, Berlin admitted that the deal was made between the two men on the sidelines of the EU summit. Read more.
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ROME
Italian government mulls new excise tax cut as fuel prices soar. The government is considering expanding the excise tax reduction, which will expire on 8 July, Economy Under-Secretary Maria Cecilia Guerra told broadcaster Rainews 24 on Wednesday. Read more.
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MADRID
Spain’s centre-right leader confident of general election win. Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who was elected leader of centre-right Partido Popular (PP) in April, told members at the European People’s Party (EPP) congress in Rotterdam, that his party represents hope for many Spaniards and should win next year’s general election. Read more.
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LISBON
Portugal’s political top-dogs in Hannover to bolster industry ties. Prime Minister António Costa, Economy Minister António Costa Silva, and Education Minister Elvira Fortunato have travelled to the world’s largest industry fair, Hannover Messe, in Germany, where their country is represented by 109 companies and leading government officials. Read more.
VISEGRAD
WARSAW
Polish opposition cautious following Brussels’ approval of recovery plan. The European Commission’s acceptance of Poland’s national recovery plan following a months-long dispute has attracted a flood of both positive and sceptical comments. Read more.
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BUDAPEST
Orbán declares no savings, yet again. Besides properties in his home town and the high-end district of Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s asset declarations once again show the Hungarian Prime Minister, in power since 2010, has no savings. Read more.
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PRAGUE
Czech EU-funded projects endangered due to inflation. Projects co-funded by the EU’s cohesion policy worth €1.3 billion are endangered due to rising prices and war in Ukraine. Read more.
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BRATISLAVA
Affordability of housing decreasing rapidly, Slovak National Bank warns. The National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) expects a big drop in housing affordability and will revert to prices from ten years ago until the end of 2022. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
Bulgarian president hints at North Macedonia referendum. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has hinted that he could call a referendum on Bulgaria’s veto on North Macedonia’s EU integration but denied he would discuss the matter with French President Emmanuel Macron. Read more.
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BUCHAREST
Romania does not fulfil any eurozone criteria, says Commission. Romania does not meet any of the conditions needed for the adoption of the euro, the European Commission said in its Convergence Report 2022. Read more.
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ZAGREB
Commission gives Croatia go-ahead for 2023 euro adoption. Croatia fulfils all economic criteria to join the euro area in January 2023 despite rising inflation, according to the EU Commission’s biannual convergence report, published on Wednesday (1 June). Read more.
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LJUBLJANA
Slovenian parliament confirms new left-liberal government cabinet. Prime Minister Robert Golob’s cabinet was sworn in on Wednesday after it was confirmed in a 53/28 vote in the National Assembly a month after the general election. Read more.
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BELGRADE
US envoy calls for Serbia to impose sanctions on Russia. Serbia was urged to join in the EU’s sanctions against Russia by US Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Balkans Gabriel Escobar via a video speech during the Southeastern Europe Democracy Summit in Montenegro. Read more.
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TIRANA
Afghan refugees in Albania, forgotten and facing eviction. Afghan refugees staying in the Albanian coastal city of Shengjin until their visas for the US and other countries are processed say they are facing eviction, having their passports confiscated, and that many of the NGOs that were helping them have left. Read more.
Agenda
- EU: General Affairs Council on Cohesion, Jordan-EU Association Council, Transport Council.
- Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni meets with EU Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund.
- European Parliament Committee meetings (ITRE, AFET, JURI, ENVI, DEVE).
- Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz holds talks with leaders of Germany’s 16 states, and a press conference follows.
- France: President Emmanuel Macron holds a phone call with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
- The Netherlands: European Medicines Agency gives a press briefing.
- United Kingdom: Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
- Sweden: International environmental conference ‘Stockholm+50’ as part of UN ‘Decade of Action’.
- Spain: King Felipe VI meets with President of the Olympic International Committee Thomas Bach.
- Renault (Mobilise) presents its first electric vehicle designed for VTC and taxis, the Limo.
- Italy: Italy celebrates the 76th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic.
- Poland: European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen visits Poland in relation to the recovery and resilience facility/NextGenerationEU and national Recovery and Resilience Plan.
- Romania: Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar visits Romania to meet President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca.
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Vlad Makszimov, Daniel Eck, Benjamin Fox, Zoran Radosavljevic, Alice Taylor, Eleonora Vasques, Sofia Stuart Leeson]
Source: euractiv.com
