Tag: European Union

EU must earmark $505 billion to sustain current nuclear output

The European Union said it will need to invest between 350 and 450 billion euro ($393-$505 billion) through 2050 in order to maintain its current level of nuclear power output, officials said. The European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete spoke during the 12th plenary meeting of the European Nuclear Energy Forum...

May 24, 2017

EU to approve mandate to open Brexit negotiations

The European Union (EU) is set to approve a mandate on Monday for the European Commission (EC) to start negotiations for Britain's exit from the 27-member bloc. It will also officially appoint former EU Commissioner Michel Barnier as the lead negotiator, Efe news reported. The General Affairs Council ministers from the remaining countries will adopt...

May 22, 2017

Miffed Philippines stops accepting EU grants

The Philippines on Thursday said it has stopped accepting development aid from the European Union (EU) owing to the latter's interference in the country's internal affairs. Presidential Office spokesperson Ernesto Abella said President Rodrigo Duterte approved the finance department's recommendation of not accepting further donations from the EU, Efe news reported. "These grants pertain to...

May 18, 2017

EU fines Facebook over misleading WhatsApp data

The European Union on Thursday announced it will fine Facebook for providing "incorrect or misleading information" in connection with the 2014 purchase of mobile messaging service WhatsApp. The fine amount is 110 million euros ($122 million), Efe news reported. "Today's decision sends a clear signal to companies that they must comply with all aspects of...

May 18, 2017

EU must reform or face Frexit, says Macron

French presidential front-runner Emmanuel Macron said that the European Union (EU) must reform or face the prospect of a "Frexit" — an exit from the 27-member bloc, the media reported. Macron, the pro-EU centrist made the comments as he and his far-right rival Marine Le Pen entered the last week of campaigning. "I'm a pro-European,...

May 1, 2017

Will Frexit follow Brexit?

This week, global financial markets were relieved by the lead of French Presidential centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron in the first round over the right-wing Ms Marine Le Pen, creating a second election on May 7. So far, the populist tide after Brexit and Trump last year has not yet swept completely through Europe, as France...

April 30, 2017

EU leaders adopt ‘tough’ Brexit guidelines at summit

European Union leaders on Saturday unanimously agreed to "tough" negotiating guidelines for Brexit talks, suggesting that they will demand Britain agree on payments to the bloc before considering a new trade deal. EU Council President Donald Tusk said on Twitter: "Guidelines adopted unanimously. EU27 firm and fair political mandate for the Brexit talks is ready."...

April 29, 2017

We are ideal partner to support Make in India campaign: Italy

Italy can be the ideal partner to support the 'Make in India' campaign, Italian Deputy Minister of Economic Development Ivan Scalfarotto said. Italy is the second highest manufacturing economy of the European Union. "We are actually committed and ready to contribute to it, sharing our expertise and know how in key areas such as green...

April 28, 2017

EU to exclude financial services from post-Brexit deal

The European Union (EU) reportedly intended to exclude the financial services sector from a trade deal with Britain after Brexit, media reports said. According to Brussels-based online newspaper EU observer on April 25, the bloc's new draft negotiating guidelines spelled out that any free trade deal that would allow the London continued access to EU...

April 26, 2017

EU to exclude financial services from post-Brexit deal

The European Union (EU) reportedly intended to exclude the financial services sector from a trade deal with Britain after Brexit, media reports said. According to Brussels-based online newspaper EUobserver on Tuesday, the bloc's new draft negotiating guidelines spelled out that any free trade deal that would allow the London continued access to EU markets would...

April 26, 2017

British PM calls snap election on June 8

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday announced a snap General Election on June 8, seeking a stronger mandate in talks over leaving the European Union (EU). In an unexpected statement at Downing Street, May said she was starting the process of calling a vote, less than halfway through the government's term, BBC reported. Britain...

April 18, 2017

Globalisation and Protectionism

It is a curious phenomenon of the twenty first century that the world is going global but many inhabitants of our planet are turning inwards, protectionist and provincial. The United States under President Trump is certainly and surely turning ultranationalistic, and the United Kingdom has already reverted to small island status separated from Europe with...

April 10, 2017

Brexit travails

The divorce proceedings between Britain and the European Union have barely begun and there is already talk of going to war with Spain. Madrid has been persistently seeking to retake the Rock of Gibraltar located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, ceded to Britain as part...

April 9, 2017

EU agrees to give $619 m to Syria in 2018

During the international conference on Syria, the European Union agreed to give the country $619 million (580 million euros) in 2018, an official said. EU's high representative for foreign affairs Federica Mogherini said during the two-day conference titled 'Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region' here, that the money would also be used to...

April 6, 2017

EU Parliament prepares to set Brexit ‘red lines’

The European Parliament will on Wednesday lay down its “red lines” for negotiations over a Brexit deal, on which the assembly will have the final say in two years' time. The parliament in Strasbourg, France, is set to back a call by EU leaders for Britain to first agree to divorce terms before striking any...

April 5, 2017

Germany President Steinmeier defends EU, criticises Brexit

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier defended the European Union (EU) and criticised those who wished to undermine it as "irresponsible", in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Steinmeier on Tuesday used his first major foreign policy speech as German President to emphasize the value of the EU and the importance of working hard to...

April 5, 2017

Brexit should herald European reawakening: Italian PM

Italy will work "in a friendly spirit towards the UK" to make sure Brexit provides "an opportunity for a European reawakening", Premier Paolo Gentiloni said Wednesday as Britain began its divorce from the European Union. "Italy is gearing up for the (Brexit) negotiations coming months in a friendly spirit towards the United Kingdom. "Our priorities...

March 30, 2017