BELGIUM – The European Union on Tuesday decried the Trump’s threats of attacking Iran‘s critical civilian infrastructure, warning that such actions would escalate regional tensions and affect millions of people. “We have always said that diplomacy is the answer,” EU Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper told reporters at the midday briefing. “From our side, we reject […]
Tag: EU
Iran War’s Effect on European Energy Prices
TURKEY – Following the Iran war initiated by the US and Israel at the end of February, the global energy markets have been rattled, with European energy dependency on natural gas coming into attention. While natural gas prices across Europe surged nearly 100% in the course of the month, the region’s reliance on Gulf countries, […]
About the Australia-EU Trade and Security Agreement
AUSTRALIA – The Australia-EU trade and security agreement was signed on Tuesday, with the free trade agreement (FTA) being worth about $7 billion (AUD10 billion). The FTA, which has been negotiated for eight years, will provide Australian exporters with greater access to global markets containing over 450 million people. EU Commission President Ursula von der […]
EU’s Kaja Kallas Decries Ease of US Sanctions on Russian Oil
BELGIUM – EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday decried the ease of US sanctions on Russian oil, despite the ongoing energy disruptions due to the Middle East war, saying that it sets a dangerous precedent. “We see the easing of sanctions on oil, on Russia, by US is a dangerous precedent, because right […]
Free Trade Agreement Between EU and Mercosur Approved by Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies
BRAZIL – The Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies approved the free trade agreement between EU and Mercosur bloc on Wednesday Feb. 25. The Mercosur-EU Free Trade Agreement, signed in Paraguay in January, marks the culmination of more than 25 years of negotiations. The decree now moves to the Senate for further deliberation. At its core, the […]
US-EU Trade Agreement Suspended Over Trump’s Tariffs
FRANCE – The US-EU trade agreement was on Monday suspended by the EU parliament following Donald Trump’s tariff threats. Bernd Lange, chair of the parliament’s trade committee, said on US social media platform X that work on the agreement would be suspended until further notice. “Now official: EP work on EU-US deal is on hold […]
Latest EU’s Russia Sanctions Package Fails to Get G7 Backing
BELGIUM – The latest EU’s Russia sanctions package failed to get G7 and US backing, which proposed a coordinated effort to block Russian oil deliveries under its 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions, according to reports on Monday. A diplomatic source in Brussels said that the proposal was presented to Washington and other G7 capitals as […]
Arms Embargo on Zimbabwe by EU Extended to 2027
ZIMBABWE – The arms embargo on Zimbabwe by the European Union was on Tuesday extended by one year until Feb. 20, 2027. The move followed an annual review of sanctions it imposed on the southern African nation, the Council of the European Union said in a statement Tuesday. The Council lifted all remaining provisions related […]
EU Designates Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Terrorist Group
BELGIUM – The European Union on Thursday designated the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, according the EU’s foreign policy chief. “Repression cannot go unanswered. EU Foreign Ministers just took the decisive step of designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization,” Kaja Kallas wrote on the US social media company […]
EU Phase Out of Russian Pipeline Gas and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Begins
RUSSIA – The European Union’s 27 members approved new rules on Monday for phasing out the Russian pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The regulation includes provisions on strict monitoring, diversification of supply and penalties for violations, the Council of the EU said in a statement. Under the regulation, imports of Russian gas will […]
Europe Rocked by Farmers Protests Against Mercosur Trade Deal
BELGIUM – Farmers protests against Mercosur trade deal rocked Europe as of Friday Jan. 9, as the European Union prepared to approve the trade deal. In Belgium, Walloon farmers set up blockades, closing major highways south of Brussels and across Wallonia, Flemish-language broadcaster VRT reported. On Thursday, protesters attempted to occupy the Brussels Ring at […]
EU’s Plan on Using Frozen Russian Assets to Finance Ukraine Fails
BELGIUM – The European Union leaders’ plan to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine war effort failed, and instead settled on a €90 billion ($105 billion) EU borrowing package to cover Kyiv’s financing needs for the next two years. Speaking after a European Council meeting, Ursula von der Leyen said member states had agreed to […]
Russia Files Lawsuit Against Euroclear
RUSSIA – Russia has filed a lawsuit against the Belgian-based securities clearing and settlement company Eroclear. The Russian Central Bank filed a lawsuit against Euroclear on Dec. 12 demanding 18.2 trillion rubles (about $229.7 billion) in compensation. Euroclear holds some €185 billion ($217 billion) in immobilized Russian reserves due to EU sanctions imposed following the outbreak […]
Russia Says Has no Plans to Attack NATO or EU
RUSSIA – Russia on Thursday reiterated that it has no plans to attack NATO members or EU, adding that it’s ready to offer a guarantee in writing. “We have no aggressive plans, as President (Vladimir Putin) has clearly stated, against either NATO or EU members. We are prepared to formalize the corresponding guarantees in writing, […]
European Union is Drowning in Corruption; Viktor Orban
HUNGARY – The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that the European Union is drowning in corruption, amidst ongoing investigation into suspected fraud involving EU-funded training for junior diplomats. “The EU is drowning in corruption. Commissioners face serious charges, the Commission and the Parliament are engulfed in scandal, yet Brussels still claims the […]