Tag: European Union
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Maltese Labour MEPs vote against call to ban alumina exports to Russia
The European Parliament has backed a non-binding call for a full ban on alumina exports to Russia, increasing pressure on the European Commission to close one of the remaining gaps in the EU’s sanctions regime against Moscow. The amendment was added to the European Parliament’s report on the 2025 Commission report on Ukraine, drafted by…
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Ireland moves from denial to demanding EU funds to end alumina exports to Russia
The Irish government is no longer denying that the Aughinish Alumina plant in County Limerick, Europe’s largest alumina refinery, is still exporting alumina to Russia, after an extensive investigation showed that the material enters the supply chain of the Russian defence industry. The Aughinish plant, located on the Shannon Estuary near Askeaton and Foynes, is…
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Being pro-European is a matter of principle: not a political convenience
The mask is off for Peter Agius, who for many years projected himself as a forward-looking, pro-European Maltese politician. Well, now we know it was all theatre, smoke and mirrors. Peter Agius is now running a populist campaign against the EU’s €3 duty on Chinese parcels, a measure aimed at curbing Temu’s retail practices. China…
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MEPs back digital Euro framework as Europe seeks payment sovereignty
After much delay and political wrangling, the European Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee has approved its position on the proposed legal framework for the digital Euro, moving the project closer to negotiations with EU governments. The digital Euro will provide a public European payment option and reduce dependence on non-EU payment providers. The committee…
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MEPs urge Brussels not to give legitimacy to the Taliban as delegation arrives for talks
A cross-party group of MEPs, German MPs and former Afghan parliamentarians has urged the European Union not to grant political legitimacy to the Taliban, as a Taliban delegation arrived in Brussels for migration talks with EU officials. Belgium issued five one-day visas to Taliban representatives for Tuesday, 23 June, allowing them to attend a closed-door…
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Ukraine opposes diplomatic channel by EU Council President in busy day for EU Council in Brussels
It was a very busy day yesterday in Brussels, with a European Council summit focused on Ukraine, China, trade, the EU’s next long-term budget and the Middle East. Prime Minister Robert Abela was also present for the summit, while Malta also took part in a meeting of the “Friends of Cohesion”, a group of member…
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EU High Representative causes Israel’s ire with apartheid description
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has stirred the Israeli government’s ire after Euractiv reported that the High Representative compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa during closed-door meetings with Mexican officials in May. The remarks were reportedly made during Kallas’s visit to Mexico between 20 and 22 May, when she attended the 8th EU-Mexico Summit in…
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Malta’s first bilaterals: Moldova and Egypt
The government’s first bilateral meetings were held with Moldova and Egypt, yesterday, during the margins of the European Foreign Council. Foreign Affairs Minister Chris Fearne met with Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov. Earlier this week, the EU Commission has approved EU ascension talks with Ukraine and Moldova and Malta is supporting…
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European Parliament overwhelmingly approves much hated EU-US trade deal
In a session held in Strasbourg today, the European Parliament has overwhelmingly approved the EU-US trade deal which was negotiated in Scotland, in the month of July last year. 440 voted in favour and only 151 voted against. 50 abstained. Previous EEP Group Leader Manfred Weber said that the deal was “damage control” after US…
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New sanctions against Russia approved by the EU Foreign Council: Malta’s Foreign Minister makes his first appearance
Today, the European Foreign Council in Luxembourg has approved new sanctions against individuals and several shipping entities, including Russian shadow fleet vessels with some of these entities registered in Turkey, Liberia and the United Arab Emirates apart from Russia. The Council meeting is ongoing. Earlier this morning Russia launched more than 600 drones and a…
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The EU works with NATO to simplify defence procurement and increase preparedness
Yesterday, European Parliament President Robert Metsola announced that the Council presidency and European Parliament negotiators reached a provisional agreement on a new defence simplification package aimed at removing administrative delays in procurement, permitting, reporting and cross-border cooperation. The EU is moving ahead with new legislation to simplify defence procurement, accelerate permitting and boost industrial readiness,…
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The EU increases funds for migration and defence in new proposed 2027 budget
The European Commission has proposed a €200 billion EU budget for 2027, increasing provisions for migration, border management, security and defence as the EU continues shifting its spending priorities towards border control, military preparedness and economic and energy independence. The draft budget, published yesterday by the European Commission, is the last annual budget under the…
