European Union

Serbia's foreign affairs ministry had sent North Macedonia's chargé d'affaires in Belgrade a protest note for printing and publishing a postal stamp displaying a map of the Independent State of Croatia.

On 9 May 1950, the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed the foundation of a European Community. His vision five years after the end of the war was to prevent armed conflict through political cooperation, initially in the coal and steel sectors. Schuman's proposal is considered the cornerstone of today's EU. Commentators take stock seventy years on.

More than 200 teams worldwide are working on a coronavirus vaccination. An international donors' conference organised by the EU gathered 7.4 billion euros to make a vaccination, medications and test materials globally available. The US and China did not participate. There is growing concern in the media that competitive thinking could hinder research efforts.

Last weekend saw protests against the coronavirus measures in several German cities. In some places several thousand demonstrators gathered, often without respecting social distancing norms. The protesters accused the federal government of panic-mongering and restricting fundamental rights. Well-known conspiracy theorists were among the organisers. Cause for concern?

The European Commission is examining German plans to support the fibre optic industry. The Christian Democrat (CDU/CSU) parliamentary group asked for early approval, while the fixed network industry association BREKO is opposed to the measures. EURACTIV Germany has seen both letters.