Tag: EU
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Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney addresses the European Parliament in French: seeks alliance not competition
Earlier today, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg, opening in French before moving between French and English, reflecting Canada’s two official languages. Prime Minister Carney received a warm reception in the chamber as he advocated for a significantly deeper political and economic alliance between Canada and the European Union. His…
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EU Chief closes SOTEU speech with call for justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia
A very powerful message for justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia has resounded through Europe today as the EU Commission President closed her State of the Union speech by stating that Europe should ensure that justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia is made. She said that the subject is close to her heart and that, as today…
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EU Chief announces Canada to be the first EU Associate Member
This article will be updated with further details. In her State of the Union speech at the European Parliament, the EU Commissioner President Ursula von der Leyen announced that Canada will become the first Associate Member of the European Union. This kind of EU agreement is tailor-made and could potentially include free visa travel between…
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Peter Agius tries to renew his campaign against the “Buy Europe” campaign
EPP and Nationalist Party MEP Peter Agius has renewed his criticism of the EU’s drive to shift European spending away from Chinese products and towards domestically produced European goods. After campaigning against the €3 customs charge on small parcels imported from outside the EU, which mainly affects the enormous volume of e-commerce imports from China,…
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The European Parliament votes for new fishing rules but enforcement gaps remain
The European Parliament yesterday overwhelmingly approved new fisheries legislation intended to strengthen the enforcement of international fishing rules and create a more level playing field between European fishermen and vessels from third countries. The legislation was approved with 559 votes in favour, 48 against and 62 abstentions. The file was handled by the European Parliament’s…
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EU Parliament overwhelmingly votes in favour of European Democracy Shield
The European Parliament overwhelmingly backed the European Democracy Shield earlier today in Strasbourg, with 420 MEPs (63%) voting in favour, 220 (22%) against and 26 (4%) abstaining. All five Maltese MEPs who voted supported the report. The report identifies Russia as the principal foreign threat to European democratic integrity and calls for stronger EU action…
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European Parliament to vote on European Democracy Shield today
The European Parliament will today debate and vote on the European Democracy Shield, a new framework intended to strengthen the European Union’s defences against foreign interference, disinformation and sabotage (“hybrid”) attacks, with Russia identified as the main threat. The European Parliament’s plenary session opened in Strasbourg yesterday, with President Roberta Metsola beginning her address by…
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European leaders visit Finalnd’s Arctic North: Finland joins France’s Forward Nuclear Deterrence Initiative
European leaders, including EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, European Council President António Costa, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, gathered in Rovaniemi, northern Finland, for the European Arctic Summit on Sunday and Monday. The summit, hosted by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, brought together European leaders to discuss the growing strategic…
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The EU vetoers hold a meeting in Malta
Slovakia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar is in Malta today for talks with his Maltese counterpart Minister Chris Fearne. This is the first visit by a Foreign Minister from Slovakia in 12 years Minister Fearne stated. There is a very good reason why Malta is currently prioritising its friendships with small states in the EU…
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Paris wants to remain central stage as it dismembers efforts by Kaja Kallas to strengthen EU’s role in foreign and defence
Latest press reports on the European External Action Service and High Representative Kaja Kallas cite the cancellation of a meeting of a new European defence group organised by the High Representative. France and Germany are cited as the countries that blocked the initiative. The meeting was meant to plan to discuss the implementation of Mario…
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The EU to strengthen its relationship with Greenland
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Greenland along with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to sign a renewed partnership agreement with Greenland which will come with an increased investment by the EU of up to €200 million for 2027. A longer-term proposal of up to €530 million in investments during the 2028-2034…
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Iceland rejects resumption of EU membership talks in nationwide referendum
Iceland has rejected the resumption of negotiations for European Union membership in a nationwide referendum, with 52.8% of voters voting No and 47.2% voting Yes. Turnout reached a high 82.5%, with around 225,000 votes cast from an electorate of roughly 270,000. The question on the ballot read: “Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European…
