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In today’s news from the Capitals:
PARIS
Parliament’s committee of enquiry into foreign interference in politics will hear far-right leader Marine Le Pen on Tuesday – a highly anticipated hearing due to suspicions of links between her nationalist party and Russia. Read more.
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BERLIN
Germany reconsiders role in ‘international fighter jet coalition’. The German government is reviewing its potential contribution to the recently created international coalition to provide fighter jets and training to Ukraine, said Defence Minister Boris Pistorius after previously saying the country couldn’t help as they lacked their own F-16 jets. Read more.
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VIENNA | COPENHAGEN
Austria, Denmark to cooperate more on migration. Austria and Denmark aim to strengthen their cooperation on asylum and migration issues as Austrian Integration Minister Susanne Raab embarked on a two-day visit to Denmark Tuesday. Read more.
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BRUSSELS
Belgian, French produce price differences lead to calls for standardisation. Significant price disparities between essential consumer products in Belgium and France have led to calls from some that monitor the sector to standardise prices at a European level. Read more.
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THE HAGUE
Tensions flare as Dutch Foreign minister meets Chinese counterpart. The latest Dutch annual security report that called China the “biggest threat” to Dutch security prompted harsh criticism from Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who called the allegations “made-up” at a joint press conference with his Dutch counterpart Wopke Hoekstra (CDA/EPP) in Beijing on Tuesday. Read more.
UK & IRELAND
LONDON
UK to introduce family travel limits to students coming from overseas. Students will only be allowed to bring family members to the UK if they are on postgraduate courses currently designated as research programmes, according to proposals aimed at clamping down on migration State Secretary Suella Braverman presented on Tuesday. Read more.
NORDICS AND BALTICS
STOCKHOLM
Sweden refuses to send Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine. Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson reiterated his country’s refusal on Tuesday to send its JAS Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, despite the EU’s High Representative Josep Borrell hoping for speedy delivery. Read more.
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HELSINKI
MEP wants new Finnish government to be more proactive on EU policy. The government currently being formed in Finland should adopt a more proactive stance on EU policy, Silvia Modig, an MEP for The Left group in the European Parliament since 2019, said. Read more.
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COPENHAGEN
Danish government announces healthcare budget increase, new cancer plan. The Danish government has decided to invest heavily in healthcare, announcing a yearly budget increase of DKK 5 billion (€670 million), with an all-new cancer plan and additional investments to ‘restore confidence in Danish cancer treatment’. Read more.
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REYKJAVIK
Iceland to buy oil trucks for the Ukrainian army. Iceland will purchase 10 oil transporting trucks for the Ukrainian army to support the war-torn country against Russia, the Icelandic government confirmed in a statement on Tuesday. Read more.
EUROPE’S SOUTH
ROME
Italy tightens rules on e-scooters in bid to reduce accidents. The Italian government is working on a new highway code to respond to the statistical increase in road accidents, focusing on scooters, announced Italian Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini on Tuesday. Read more.
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MADRID
Spain amid racism debate after Real Madrid forward faces abuse. Spain opened a fierce and sensitive debate on racism after thousands of football fans chanted racist slurs at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr at a LaLiga match Sunday. Read more.
VISEGRAD
WARSAW
Russian parliament urges government to ban Polish trucks. Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, adopted a resolution calling on the government to ban Polish lorries from entering the country. Read more.
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PRAGUE
Czechs want to stay in the EU, poll shows. If the Czech Republic held a referendum on leaving the EU today, 63% of Czechs would vote to remain, a fresh survey conducted in one of the EU’s most eurosceptic countries found. Read more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
SOFIA
No trust among leaders of Bulgaria’s future coalition. Leaders in the new ruling coalition in Bulgaria admit they lack confidence in each other but continue to convince voters that a government between GERB and Change Continues – Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB) is the best for the country. Read more.
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BUCHAREST
Strasbourg court says Romania must recognise same-sex civil unions. The European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg found that Romania had a duty to provide adequate recognition and protection for same-sex relationships as it found Romania violated the right to family life of 21 same-sex couples. Read more.
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PRISTINA
North Kosovo mayors to be sworn in amid strife with Belgrade. Two mayors elected in recent local elections in the north of Kosovo will be sworn in on Thursday, leaving just one to assume his mandate before the 30-day deadline amid ongoing strife with Belgrade. Read more.
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TIRANA
Albanian demographic challenges show in shrinking graduation, enrolment, first-time worker rates. Fewer Albanian youngsters enter the workforce after completing studies, while graduation and enrolment rates continue to fall, according to data published by the national statistics institute, INSTAT. Read more.
AGENDA:
- EU: European Economic Area (ΕΕΑ) Council holds 56th meeting to discuss overall functioning of EEA Agreement, preceded by informal political dialogue with European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states focused on Ukraine and China;
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen chairs the College of Commissioners meeting;
- Vice President Margaritis Schinas joines the 2023 Brussels Forum “Perspectives on a New Atlanticism”; Hosts Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Mykhaïlo Fedorov;
- Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders participates in the annual CPDP (Computers, Privacy and Data Protection) conference;
- Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi on official visit in Kosovo; Participates in high level dialogue with Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III);
- European Central Bank celebrates to mark 25th anniversary; Jobs and Social Rights Commissioner Nicolas Schmit delivers keynote speech;
- Parliament President Roberta Metsola hosts Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Mykhailo Fedorov; Holds meeting with Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš; Attends celebration for the 25th anniversary of the ECB;
- France: President Emmanuel Macron hosts Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nauseda;
- Russia: President Vladimir Putin delivers speech at plenary session of annual Eurasian Economic Forum organised by Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU);
- UN: Security Council meeting on Middle East takes place; Mission in South Sudan head Nicholas Haysom holds press conference;
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[Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara]
Read more with EURACTIV
Albanian demographic challenges show in shrinking graduation, enrolment, first-time worker rates
Source: euractiv.com
