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:
SOFIA
Bulgaria, which transits Gazprom gas through the TurkStream pipeline, can play a key role in ending the current deal between Hungary and Gazprom amid ongoing supply negotiations, Martin Vladimirov, director of the energy and climate programme at the influential Bulgarian think tank Centre for the Study of Democracy, told Euractiv Bulgaria. Read more
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EU INSTITUTIONS
Twelve EU countries urge Brussels to back energy links, lower energy prices. Twelve EU member states on Tuesday called on the European Commission to support the creation of energy interconnections, especially electricity interconnections, to reduce energy prices in the EU in the face of market instability. Read more
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BERLIN
Germany confident that the EU-North Macedonia spat would be resolved after Bulgaria’s vote. Germany is convinced that the current stalemate in North Macedonia’s EU accession process will be resolved after the snap elections in Bulgaria on 27 October, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday. Read more
German chancellor hopeful backs up Poland amid EU asylum row. Germany’s opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, backed up Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk over his plan to suspend asylum rights and resist EU migration reform, as he expressed support for “Tusk‘s view” that new rules are needed. Read more
Deutsche Telekom tells policymakers it is struggling, but investors it is thriving. The lobby for EU telecom incumbents Connect Europe often tells policymakers that the industry is suffering, but Deutsche Telekom (DT) boasts results that exceed expectations. Read more
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PARIS
Von der Leyen throws support behind ‘return hubs’ – but France is stalling. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has set out key goals for a future EU migration policy, including exploring deportation hubs in non-EU countries – but France has warned that legal challenges await. Read more
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BERN
EU not an ‘ à la carte menu’, members tell Switzerland. EU ministers on Tuesday rejected a push by non-member Switzerland to add a clause to bilateral agreements under negotiation that would allow it to place limits on immigration from the bloc. Read more
NORDICS & BALTICS
STOCKHOLM
Swedish military to grow by a third by 2030. Sweden will boost its military defence by almost a third of its current capacity by 2030, with additional funding for civil defence, ammunition, spare parts and workshops. Read more
Sweden mulling the introduction of mandatory state-run asylum centres. The Swedish government and its hard-right ally in parliament want to introduce mandatory state-run asylum centres to improve the monitoring of asylum seekers in the country. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
MADRID
Puigdemont’s party denies mulling partnering with PP, Vox, to oust Sánchez. The party of former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont denied on Tuesday that the separatist formation was considering joining forces with the centre-right and the far-right to table a motion of no confidence against the government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Read more
EASTERN EUROPE
WARSAW
Tusk’s government officially adopts new migration strategy. The Polis government has officially adopted a new, tougher migration strategy, Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced on Tuesday, despite causing some division within the ruling coalition. Read more
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PRAGUE
Czechia sends new ambassador to Moscow amid frozen relations. Czechia will send Daniel Koštoval, a seasoned diplomat with extensive experience in security and international relations, as its new ambassador to Moscow in the coming months. Read more
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BRATISLAVA
EU hydrogen plans clash with market reality, Slovak experts warn. The Slovak transmission system operator Eustream and the gas storage operator Nafta support EU hydrogen initiatives and are developing projects but warn that the lack of guaranteed hydrogen production or consumption makes it difficult to secure a return on investment. Read more
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
BUCHAREST
Romania-processed products set to benefit from a mark-up cap. Products processed in Romania will benefit from a cap on commercial mark-ups, Romanian Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu told a press conference on Tuesday. Read more
AGENDA:
- EU: First EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit expected to focus on developping closer partnership on trade & investment, energy, climate, and more;
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen receives EU and national social partners; Hosts Prime Minister of Estonia Kristen Michal;
- High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell delivers keynote address at 4th European Defence and Security Conference;
- Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni meets with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in New York, United States;
- Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit gives closing remarks at Joint Policy Conference of EESC Workers’ Group and FEPS on algorithmic management for workers;
- Equality Commissioner Helena Dalli delivers keynote speech at G7 roundtable on Inclusion and Disability, in Umbria, in Italy;
- Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen meets with President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye, in Dakar, Senegal;
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor-Braçe, Sofia Mandilara]
Source: euractiv.com
