Geopolitical cohesion key driver of EU trade - Deloitte report
“For Europe, analysis of the historical data shows that a 1% drop in geopolitical alignment is associated with a corresponding 1% decline in trade intensity,” Deloitte observed.
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A collection of 55 posts
From record R&D to CERN: Slovenia’s innovation surge
Slovenia has more than doubled its public R&D spending in a decade, to nearly 0.9 % of GDP, the highest share in CEE, an Erste Bank Research report published on 6 August found.
Fico: Ukraine will ‘have to pay dearly’ at Trump-Putin talks
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Ukraine would bear the cost regardless of the outcome of a planned summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
V4 braces for new US tariffs
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that the duties could cost Poland more than USD 2bn and hurt agriculture and manufacturing, although he called the compromise deal a “lesser evil” to a threatened 30% tariff.
EU, US agree to 15% tariff rate, averting Trump trade war
European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen agreed a new trade deal with US President Donald Trump at Turnberry, south-west Scotland, on 27 July, setting a ceiling of 15% on tariffs for EU goods and averting a wider transatlantic escalation.
Austria should consider NATO membership - Meinl‑Reisinger
Finland and Sweden abandoned their long-standing neutrality and joined NATO in 2023 and 2024 respectively, citing heightened security threats from Russia. Austria, bordered by NATO members Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia, is increasingly the odd one out in Central Europe’s defence landscape.
Poland leads EU funding recipients with EUR 123.3 bn in long‑term budget draft
The European Commission (EC) published long-term budget allocation plans on 17 July, showing Poland set to receive the highest national allocation under the 2028-34 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), totalling EUR 123.3bn.
Poland's Orlen ends Russian oil imports to Czech refinery
EC President Ursula von der Leyen said: "Russia has repeatedly attempted to blackmail us by weaponising its energy supplies. We have taken clear steps to turn off the tap and end the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe for good."
Albania, Montenegro could join EU by 2030 - EU commissioner
Albania is expected to have opened all the EU accession negotiation clusters by September, EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said on 1 July at a Western Balkans leaders’ meeting in Skopje, North Macedonia.
CEE must better coordinate on defence - Global Peace Index founder Steve Killelea tells CET
Global Peace Index (GPI) founder Steve Killelea spoke to the Central European Times on the day of the release of the GPI's 18th annual report. Despite the steep rise in militarisation in CEE, investment-led ambitions are currently limited by fragmentation, Killelea tells CET.
CEE distillers pivot to domestic sales as exports fall, tastes shift
Producers in Poland, Czechia and Moldova are rebranding locally and pursuing new strategies to stay afloat after the collapse of major foreign markets, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Western sanctions on premium alcohol.
Czech intel reveals Chinese plan to intimidate Taiwanese veep
The Czech Security Information Service said individuals linked to China’s embassy followed Hsiao’s convoy and considered a “demonstrative kinetic action” intended to unsettle, but not harm, her. Hsiao had been on her first foreign trip as veep, with Taiwanese President Lai Ching‑te.
NATO endorses 5% defence spending framework at The Hague summit
Under the Hague Investment Plan adopted on 25 June, NATO members committed to raise annual defence-related spending to 5% of GDP by 2035. The 5% comprises 3.5% on conventional military capability and 1.5% on infrastructure, cyber-defence and civil preparedness; including support for Ukraine. cet
Nestle to fire 80 at Czech vegan meat plant due to low demand
The Czech Chamber of Commerce said on 22 June that the Nestle cuts should be viewed in the context of changing consumer priorities amid inflation and a shift toward simpler food products.
Baltics surge for household consumption, Hungary slumps
Hungary has now fallen to the lowest position in the EU for actual individual consumption (AIC), despite its starting position ahead of several regional peers two decades ago.