European Commission

Austria, Estonia, Croatia high on organic farmland rankings

Austria (26%) and Estonia (23%) had the EU’s highest proportions of organic land within their total utilised agricultural area (UAA)…

1 year ago

EU shows united front vs Russia as Moldova edges closer to membership

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Moldova “the political heart of Europe”, when she met Moldovan President Maia Sandu…

1 year ago

Poland’s Orlen losing millions over Russian oil ban

Poland's state-controlled oil company, PKN Orlen, is facing significant losses due to the EU banning Russian crude oil. The company…

2 years ago

EU law will fast-track arms making in Europe, von der Leyen announces in Prague

The European Commission (EC) will propose a law to speed up weapons production in Europe, EC President Ursula von der…

2 years ago

Czechs right to opt out of Ukraine farm ban – analysts

Agriculture Minister Zdenek Nekula is right when he says Czech farmers are overplaying the role of Ukrainian wheat on their…

2 years ago

Pavel wants Czechs to play key role in Western response to resurgent China

Czech President Petr Pavel called for a "joint and balanced" strategy between the US, Europe, and other democracies to address…

2 years ago

Romania holds out on Ukraine import ban, urges neighbours to wait for EU solution

Romanian Minister of Agriculture Petre Daea expressed solidarity with farmers from Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia – who all unilaterally…

2 years ago

EU plan to source local raw materials will boost mining, battery industries in CEE – CET analysis

The EU’s mooted 'critical raw materials (CRM) law' would strengthen the EU’s autonomy by reducing its reliance on third countries…

2 years ago

Poland, Hungary halt Ukraine farm imports

Poland and Hungary have temporarily ceased importing Ukrainian grain and other agricultural produce, defying warnings from the EU that unilateral…

2 years ago

Romanian farmers hold nationwide protest

Farmers are organising protests across Romania on Friday 7 April to express dissatisfaction with the European Commission (EC) approach market…

2 years ago

EU makes landmark decision on EV stations

The EU has reached a provisional agreement on increasing the number of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative…

2 years ago

CEE leaders say EU may need to reintroduce farm tariffs on Ukraine

Romania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria and Slovakia expressed concern in a letter to the European Commission (EC) on Friday over an…

2 years ago

Poland oks Turow mine’s permit till 2044

Poland has extended the operational license of its highly-polluting Turow lignite mine by 22 years, the Czech Environment Ministry revealed…

2 years ago

EC approves huge stimulus package for West Balkan renewable energy, competitiveness, digital

The European Commission (EC) on Wednesday endorsed a package of 24 guarantee programmes worth EUR 2.4bn to support investments in…

2 years ago

CEE countries ask EU to fund Azeri gas pipelines

Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia have jointly requested EU funding to develop the necessary infrastructure to support increased gas supplies…

2 years ago

Hungary, Poland hope law reforms will see EU unfreeze billions in funding in 2023

The EU last year attempted to address the erosion of perceived democratic norms of the populist governments of Hungary and…

2 years ago

Romania, Hungary sign deal to lay world’s longest electricity cable

Hungary and Romania were among the four signatories of an agreement to construct a 1,100km (685 mile) power line under…

2 years ago

EU clears path for EUR 18bn loan to Ukraine

Next year the EU will provide Ukraine with EUR 18bn, circumventing Hungary's veto, the Council of the European Union announced…

2 years ago

EU moves to freeze Hungary funds, but real picture more nuanced

The European Commission (EC) opened the possibility for EU national leaders to punish Hungary in an upcoming vote on funding suspensions,…

2 years ago

Last chance for Hungary on EU funding

Hungary could lose billions of euros from its Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funding entitlement after the European Commission (EC)…

2 years ago