On Monday, Belarus’s government announced the suspension of its participation in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership, which is a cooperation vehicle between Brussels and ex-communist countries in the region. The Eastern Partnership is perceived by many countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia as a precursor to a
Despite Serbia’s aspirations to join 27 member states as a fellow member of the European Union, Belgrade is refusing to back any EU policies that go against Russia, absolutely refusing to support sanctions against Moscow following its actions like the annexation of Crimea. Russia is Serbia’s friend, speaker
Meeting in Warsaw, finance ministers from the “Visegrad 4” (V4) country grouping – Poland, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia – discussed post Covid-19 economic recovery plans and investments. They welcomed the global minimum tax proposed by the G7 but said they prefer an international solution in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
Starting in July of this year, Romania and Bulgaria will be granted access to Europe’s Visa Information System (VIS), a database that connects border guards at the EU’s external borders with member states’ consulates around the world, as part of those countries’ eventual inclusion into Schengen, a borderless
The October elections in the Czech Republic could change the Czech government’s approach towards the EU’s climate objectives, which is currently very cautious. Similar to most countries in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE), the country is an underachiever in renewables, but it is gradually phasing out coal-fuelled power
With Europe having seen several cyberattacks in recent months, like the ransomware attack on Ireland’s healthcare agencies, or the hacking of the European Banking Authority, the European Commission has come up with a proposal for what it is calling the “Joint Cyber Unit,” (JCU) designed to coordinate efforts and
In a heated debate on Thursday night, Hungary’s prime minister Viktor Orbán was confronted over recent anti-LGBTQ+ measures by his fellow heads of state and governments. Diplomatic sources say those leaders spoke in unusually personal and emotional terms for an EU summit discussion. Luxembourg’s PM Xavier Bettel spoke
This week, Slovenia became the first country in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) to issue 10-year sustainability bonds to the tune of EUR 1 billion, whose proceeds are to go to investments with environmental and social objectives. The country was able to raise over EUR 8.4bn from 210 investors.
In recovery plans being submitted by member states to the European Commission to tap into the EUR 750 billion in available funds, 37% of spending must go toward green investments. Nine such plans have been approved so far by the Commission. But some NGOs are afraid the Commission may be
To curb inflation, the Central Bank of Hungary (MNB) on Tuesday raised its base rate by 30 basis points to 0.9% from 0.6% – slightly exceeding forecasts. Via this move, Hungary may be the first EU member state to initiate a cycle of rate hikes aiming to combat growing
The European Commission has approved the economic Recovery and Resilience Plan submitted by Slovakia, which was among the first EU member states to present how it intends to spend EUR 6.3 billion in Union funds on things like education, healthcare and the environment. EC president Ursula von der Leyen
The European Environmental Agency makes annual comparative reports on air quality in all of the main European cities. The good part is, they make it publicly available through an interactive map, which we’ve embedded below. Check your hometown, holiday destination, or any other place that comes to mind. The
Meeting the EU’s 2030 climate targets poses a huge challenge for Central European countries, especially for coal-dependent Poland. But it is also helping the country with a population of 40 million to modernize. Thwarted by the highest electricity prices in Europe, and pressured by EU environmental regulations, Poland has
The future of natural gas and how it is funded by the EU are deepening the divide between eastern and western Europe. Countries in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) like the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania continue to see natural gas as a key energy source and would
It’s been over a year since the EU’s ban on non-essential travel, but as of 18 June US travelers and those from 13 other countries – Albania, Australia, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Republic of North Macedonia, Rwanda, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and China – will once again be