European Union

In the case of the raped and murdered Bulgarian journalist Viktoria Marinova, a suspect has apparently been detained in Germany. According to Bulgaria's chief prosecutor investigations have not revealed any connection between the crime and Marinova's work so far. Europe's commentators refuse to let the case drop.

In Lithuania a row has broken out between the political class and the media. Plans have been announced under which media would have to pay in future for access to the national register, which among other things contains all the data on companies. Until now only companies and private users had to pay. Commentators complain that the move will impede their research, and criticise the plans as an attack on press freedom.

The Irish will vote on 26 October on whether the blasphemy ban should be removed from the constitution. Under the current legislation blasphemy can by punished with fines of up to 25,000 euros. The government says it wants to improve "Ireland's international reputation" with the amendment. Irish journalists also support the move but some see other issues as far more important.

Portugal was the big winner of the RegioStars awards 2018 in Brussels, a project promoting regional innovation, cohesion and culture in the EU, with two awards for its innovation in sustainable industrial technologies and the promotion of cultural heritage.

The MEP in charge of a new 'EU values' fund in the next budget wants to double the money available for protecting European values.

Good news for all the supporters of development policies: city-to-city development cooperation will remain at the heart of the EU’s external action. And localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a priority supported by the European Union, writes Frédéric Vallier.

Companies on both sides of the English Channel could be charged more than €15bn in tariffs, and UK-EU trade reduced up to 50 percent in the long-term, a study from the IW institute in Cologne said on Tuesday. The automotive industry would be most affected with one-fifth UK tariffs paid by the German automotive industry and the British automotive industry paying one-third of EU tariffs.

The Council adopted its position on the recast regulation setting new CO2 emission standards for cars and vans.

"Brexit is a serious problem for Scotland. The only solution to that is to become an independent country," Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon told her Scottish National Party (SNP) conference on Tuesday. She would however wait to see details of the future relationship between the UK and the EU before presenting plans for an independent Scotland. In the Brexit referendum, 62 percent of Scots voted to remain in the EU.

The authorities of four EU member states have already concluded that Kozlovska does not pose any threat to them, despite Poland's ban.

Written by Krisztina Binder, graphics: Giulio Sabbati,

© boule1301 / Fotolia

On 18 April 2018, the European Commission proposed to the Council of the EU to sign and conclude two agreements with Singapore. These agreements were created by dividing the free trade agreement reached between the EU and Singapore (EUSFTA) in 2014, but not ratified, into separate trade and investment protection agreements. When presenting the agreements, the Commission underlined that they demonstrate the commitment of Singapore and the EU to fair trade and open markets. The Council of the EU is expected to authorise the signature of the agreements in October 2018. The Commission aims to have the trade agreement come into effect before the end of its mandate in 2019, after its approval by the Council and the European Parliament.

Singapore will be the first member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to sign bilateral trade and investment agreements with the EU. The EU views bilateral agreements with ASEAN members as steps towards achieving the final objective of a region-to-region trade and investment agreement with ASEAN. Therefore, the EU‑Singapore agreements are considered a reference as regards the EU’s ambition to conclude trade and investment agreements with other ASEAN members.

Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Singapore, of the other part Committee responsible: International Trade (INTA) Rapporteur:

2018/0093(NLE),
2018/0095 (NLE) David Martin (S&D, United Kingdom)

Read the complete briefing on ‘EU-Singapore trade and investment agreements close in on conclusion‘ on the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.