A collection of 122 posts
The European Commission gave a positive assessment of Croatia’s recovery and resilience plan, worth EUR 6.3 billion, which could significantly boost the country’s GDP and create 21,000 new jobs by 2026. The positive assessment was personally delivered by EC president Ursula von der Leyen to Croatia’
Showing his backing of the “Three Seas Initiative,” US president Joe Biden appeared via video conference at the group’s event this week in Sofia, Bulgaria, giving a video address at the start of the conference. Seven heads of state were in attendance at the forum, held on 8-9 July
With populations of only 2.79m (Lithuania), 1.92m (Latvia) and 1.32m (Estonia), the Baltic countries are not huge contributors to global emissions. Despite that, they have set out their plans to meet the EU’s “Fit for 55” ambition of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% until
Hungary’s government faced a barrage of criticism from officials in Strasbourg this week over a law that bans content “promoting homosexuality” to minors, but there are also concerns over a lack of safeguards to prevent corruption. Some are even suggesting that Hungary’s portion of the EU stimulus package
This week, members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are questioning Slovenia’s president, Janez Janša, on what is holding up Slovenia from appointing its prosecutors to the EU’s public prosecutors office (“EPPO”) – a body designed to ensure proper use of EU funds. Following the recent commencing of Slovenia’s
Inflation may pose a real threat for countries in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE), specifically for Poland and Hungary, which are facing post-pandemic economic pressures. That’s why their economies do not appear as shiny as they used to. Hungary saw a recent inflation rate of 5.1%, while Poland’
Activity attributed to Russian internet trolls dropped significantly in the Czech Republic after some workers at the Russian Embassy in Prague were deported, according to a report by the Seznamzpravy.cz news site. Czech authorities’ expulsion of 18 people described as officers of the Russian secret services occurred in April
Bulgaria’s real gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 4.5% this year and by 4.0% in 2022, stronger than previously expected, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced. The main upside risks to the outlook are a stronger rebound of consumption amid high
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,
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
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