Actually, the Swiss government only has to approve the deal at its meeting on Friday. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wants to arrive in Bern on Saturday and announce the political agreement on the so-called package solution with binding rules for Swiss access to the EU internal market and the new market access agreement […]
Kaja Kallas is known for her plain speaking. However, in her new role as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, her skills as a moderator are now particularly important. A Foreign Affairs Council is definitely different from a summit, said the former Estonian head of government. On the agenda on Monday were the change of […]
The path for upgrading the subcommittees on security and defense (SEDE) and public health (SANT) to full committees has been cleared at the second attempt: the heads of the political groups in the EU Parliament have approved the committee reform by written procedure, in time for the vote in plenary this week in Strasbourg. The […]
The Hungarian Council Presidency is pushing to reach at least a partial agreement on the European Defense Industry Program. However, at the last minute on Thursday evening, EDIP was removed from the agenda of the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) on Friday – for the second time this week. Nevertheless, there is still a chance of […]
The 15th package of sanctions against Moscow is on the home straight, an agreement today in the circle of EU ambassadors is very possible. Rarely has the discussion about new punitive measures against Russia been so quiet.In fact, the package is not very controversial, as no new sectors are being targeted this time. The focus […]
The slogans of perseverance remain, but the NATO allies are talking with increasing openness about possible modalities of a ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia. At the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte found it difficult to take countermeasures and focus on the need for further arms deliveries to […]
Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House casts a shadow over the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels today and tomorrow. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warns Trump of the security risks if Ukraine is forced into a “bad deal” with Moscow. A dictated peace would make the USA and Europe appear weak.The […]
The handover of office from Charles Michel to António Costa will be marked with a small ceremony in the Europa building on Friday. Portugal’s former head of government will formally take over the post of EU Council President in December. A first exchange with Ursula von der Leyen and Roberta Metsola is planned for Monday. […]
For Josep Borrell, the case is clear: At his last Defense Council on Tuesday, the EU foreign policy chief welcomed the US decision to allow Ukraine to deploy ATACMS missiles with a range of 300 kilometers deeper inside Russia.Specifically, the UK and France are also said to be prepared to lift the restrictions on the […]
It is a test run and a first: On Thursday, the EU Commission approved financial contributions totaling €300 million for five cross-border procurements of defense equipment. For the first time, the EU budget will be used to support the member states in the joint procurement of defense equipment, says Margrethe Vestager, Vice President of the […]