EURACTIV News
IMF board approves $900 million for Ukraine as Zelenskyy visits
The IMF executive board on Monday (11 December) approved a $900 million disbursement for Ukraine from its $15.6 billion loan program, hours before IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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At COP28, is Europe’s guiding light actually blinding?
The European Union held a day of transport side-events at COP28 on 6 December. However, the gap between Europe’s regulatory approach and that of other nations raises questions as to what lessons can be gleaned from the EU example.
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Cruise missile from Yemen strikes tanker ship
An anti-ship cruise missile launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen struck a commercial tanker vessel, causing a fire and damage but no casualties, the US military said in a statement on Tuesday (12 December).
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Draft COP28 text ‘insufficient’ and ‘unacceptable’, EU says
The Emirati head of COP28 climate talks on Monday (11 December) stopped short of pushing for a phase-out of fossil fuels, in a first bid for consensus that drew immediate fire from Western powers who had hoped for a historic turning point.
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German opposition wants to fortify alliance with Poland, France
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Bulgaria waiving the Russian gas transit tax in hopes of joing Schengen, Germany's opposition CDU party wanting to boost the Weimar Triangle, and so much more.
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Slovenia to ban gas boilers in new homes
Boilers in new Slovenian homes will be banned under a reformed energy law passed by the government last week despite the move having already drawn criticism. In a bid to phase out gas, local communities would no longer be allowed...
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Romania will purchase PAC-2 GEM-T missiles for its Patriot system
Romania’s Defence Ministry has submitted a request to parliament to purchase 200 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles for the country’s Patriot system to stay prepared amid the current security crisis in the region. Forwarded to the Defence Committees on Monday after submission...
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Biden alludes to disagreements with Israel’s Netanyahu
US President Joe Biden on 11 December alluded to the complex relationship he has with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, suggesting the PM is in a "tough spot" and that the two have had their share of disagreements over the years.
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Ex-chief of Czech diplomacy to lead socialists in EU election
Previously a strong player on the Czech political scene, Social Democracy nominated former foreign and culture minister and former lower house speaker Lubomir Zaorálek to lead the party’s list for next year’s EU elections. SOCDEM leader Michal Šmarda told iDnes.cz...
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Slovakia’s 2024 budget proposal should be called ‘pre-bankruptcy’, says opposition
The budget for 2024 presented by the Slovak government, with a deficit of 5.97% of GDP – the highest in the EU – and plans to increase spending and taxes, can only be described as pre-bankruptcy, Michal Šimečka, leader of...
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EU Parliament’s econ committee OKs position on fiscal rules reform
A coalition of Social Democrats, Liberals, and Conservatives in the economic committee of the European Parliament approved on Monday (11 December) a draft opinion on the EU's fiscal rules reform, which the Green and Left groups opposed for their likely negative effect on public investment.
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Costa backs EU accession negotiations for Ukraine, Western Balkans
Portugal supports the opening of negotiations for Ukraine’s accession to the EU, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa said on Monday, adding that progress should also be made in the enlargement process to the Western Balkans. “If the European Commission believes...
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Centre-right urged to break regional pacts with Vox after Sánchez ‘hate speech’
Spain’s Partido Popular must immediately break its pacts with the far-right Vox in the regions and municipalities where they govern together, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares and other members of the progressive government demanded on Monday after Vox leader Santiago...
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Biomethane production up 20% in 2022 boosting renewable gas ramp-up [Promoted content]
Brussels 12/12/23 – Biomethane production in Europe grew by almost 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to data from the new edition of the biogases industry report released last week. Meanwhile, the EU dependency on natural gas imports went from 83% in 2021 to 97% in 2022.
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Italy split on EU Stability Mechanism ahead of key summit
Italy could stall ratification of the European Stability Mechanism, likely to be approved by the end of the year, as coalition partners Forza Italia and Lega remain divided on the issue ahead of this week’s crucial EU summit, where Prime...
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Dutch right-wing cabinet talks continue with constitutional safeguards against Wilders
Putting an end to the possibility of a centre government including Frans Timmermans, coalition scout Ronald Plasterk sees a right-wing cabinet “possible” if far-right PVV gives up on controversial anti-EU and anti-Islam goals during the first stage of negotiations, as...
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European lawmakers send plea to Congress on Ukraine aid
More than a hundred senior lawmakers will send a joint letter to their counterparts in the US on 12 December, pleading for Congress to unlock further military aid to Ukraine at a time US lawmakers have struggled for a deal.
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French MPs deal heavy blow to government with surprise rejection of immigration bill
French lawmakers rejected the government’s immigration bill on Monday by 270 votes to 265, with the far-right, conservatives and left-wing coalition joining forces, marking the first time in 25 years that a motion to reject a bill has been passed....
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Sweden presents new national aid package for Ukraine ahead of EU summit
Sweden presented a new aid package of some €144 million for Ukraine on Monday, just a few days ahead of this week’s EU summit where Swedish Prime Minister Ukraine warned of a need to find common ground amid Hungary’s continued...
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Bulgaria waives Russian gas transit tax in hopes of furthering Schengen talks
Parties of the ruling majority in the Bulgarian parliament have agreed to cancel the tax on Russian gas imports transiting through Bulgarian territory, with GERB leader and former prime minister Boyko Borissov hoping it could help the country’s Schengen Area...
Categories: EurActiv