Browsing: Brussels

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

This morning, the European Commission unveiled a proposal to impose prison sentences of two to eight years for firearms-related offences across the European Union. The directive aims to harmonise penalties and enhance cooperation among member states.

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

This morning, UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle is in Brussels to advocate for UK inclusion in the EU’s forthcoming “Made in Europe” strategy, amid fears of escalating trade tensions following failed defence loan negotiations.

EUROPE MORNING BRIEFING

This morning, a new watchdog study reveals that the European Union’s Clean Industrial Deal has faced significant lobbyist influence, with over 750 meetings documented in the last year, raising concerns over industrial compliance and environmental standards.

EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič is urging MEPs to advance the EU-US trade deal, following a US request to uphold commitments. The US Supreme Court’s recent ruling on Trump’s tariffs raises concerns about the 2025 agreement’s validity.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Ukraine of lying and reprimanded Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas during a tense meeting where Budapest exercised its veto powers twice, escalating tensions among EU member states supportive of Ukraine amid ongoing conflicts.

The European Commission, led by Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, aims to revisit the WTO’s “Most Favoured Nation” principle due to the widening EU trade deficit with China, seeking to ensure equal market access amid persistent barriers faced by European firms in China.

The death of French far-right activist Quentin Deranque has prompted the Patriots for Europe group to request a minute of silence at the European Parliament’s next plenary session, following his fatal assault during protests in Lyon.

The European Commission’s Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, has faced backlash from several EU member states, led by France, for attending the Board of Peace meeting in Washington without prior communication, raising concerns over foreign policy mandates and potential endorsement of the initiative.

Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne attended a eurozone meeting to address global macroeconomic imbalances, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to strengthening ties with the EU amid declining US relations. Discussions will continue at G7 and G20 meetings.

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Šuica, will attend the US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace gathering to discuss Gaza, despite concerns over governance and charter issues, signalling continued EU engagement in post-war reconstruction efforts.