Since Viktor Orbán became the prime minister of Hungary, cooperation among the “Visegrád 4” (V4) countries – Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland – has become a key ingredient of the Hungarian government’s rhetoric. Now, with Hungary taking over the presidency of the Visegrad Group, the country is keen to
North Macedonia’s bid for EU membership has been blocked by Bulgaria over a language dispute. But EU member Croatia is pledging its support for North Macedonia’s accession to the EU. Top leaders of Croatia and North Macedonia met this week, stressing their good relations. Croatia’s prime minister,
Keeping rabbits, hens, pigs, quails, ducks, calves, and geese in cages will be outlawed in all 27 EU member states by 2027 at the latest, even though the European Commission has made prior pledges to end most caged animal farming by 2023. The additional 4-year window is intended to give
Today, 1 July, Portugal is handing over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union to Slovenia, which will hold the position for 6 months. Covid-19 economic recovery coordination, an asylum and migration reform package, and accession for the Western Balkan countries are leading topics on Slovenia’s
Europe’s carbon price is set for a dramatic rise, according to a European Commission draft, while fuel prices for households and industry could also increase. As part of the EU’s European Green Deal, which pushes for cleaner energy and alignment with 2030 climate targets, the price of CO2
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