Tag: EU
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EU high-tech surplus rises to €32.4 billion as exports reach record €566.5 billion
According to the latest Eurostat figures, the European Union is making gains in the current global high-tech boom, with its high-tech trade surplus increasing to €32.4 billion in 2025. EU imports of high-tech products reached €534.1 billion, while exports rose to a record €566.5 billion, giving the bloc its second consecutive annual high-tech trade surplus…
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European Parliament commemorates Anna Politkovskaya with standing ovation, marking 20 years after her murder
Members of the European Parliament gave a standing ovation following a speech by Anna Victoria Politkovskaya, the granddaughter of Russian investigative journalist Anna Politkovskaya, during a tribute in Strasbourg marking 20 years since the journalist’s assassination. Some MEPs, however, refused to stand during the ovation, including Harald Vilimsky of Patriots for europe who toe a…
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Malta requests relief from the EU Commission from the EU Emissions Trading Systems
Yesterday, during the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs, the Labour government and the Nationalist Opposition agreed that the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) hits Malta’s sea links harder than those of mainland states, and both have asked Brussels for relief. Foreign Affairs Minister Chris Fearne has stated that this issue is existential for us. They…
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European companies generated up to €38.7 trillion in revenues in 2024
According to the latest Eurostat figures, around 34 million enterprises in the EU generated more than €38.7 trillion in net turnover in 2024. The businesses employed some 164.5 million people and generated €10.9 trillion in value added. Europe’s largest companies are responsible for a disproportionate share of this turnover. Enterprises employing more than 249 people…
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EU advances free trade agreement with the Philippines and continues with diplomatic engagements in busy UNGA
While international leaders pursue an intense diplomatic agenda, the European Union is advancing its trade relations with Asia. The EU expands its relations with Asia The European Union and the Philippines announced on Tuesday that they had reached a substantial agreement on a free trade deal. Following several months of negotiations and amid challenges posed…
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A weak State of the Union speech with children’s rights on the agenda as Russia rears its ugly head
As Russia’s direct military threats to Europe increase, with growing drone incursions and sabotage attacks against NATO allies, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a very weak State of the European Union speech. The speech offered little new on Russia. President Von der Leyen herself said that what was needed was “not necessarily…
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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…