European Union

European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker told White House official Jared Kushner in Brussels on Tuesday that any new US peace plan for the Middle East ought to respect the "legitimate aspirations" of both Israelis and Palestinians. Juncker also referred to Kushner as US president Donald Trump's "son-in-law" in a dig at his lack of political experience and Trump's nepotism. Trump last year unilaterally recognised Israel's capital as Jerusalem.

Senior financial advisors to Italy's ruling far-right League party, Claudio Borghi and Alberto Bagnai, have championed the idea of creating a de facto parallel currency to the euro in order to pay down government debt. The new financial instruments would be called "mini-bills of treasury" or "BOTs", the Financial Times newspaper reported. The idea has fuelled concern the League might return to previous policies of exiting the single currency.

The leader of the Danish Social Democrats, Mette Frederiksen, is poised to win national elections on Wednesday and complete a shift of power in all the three Nordic EU countries to having social democrat leaders.

Ukraine's new president and former TV comic Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on his first visit to Brussels on Tuesday that he would keep Ukraine "on its strategic course ... to achieve fully-fledged membership in the EU and Nato." He also said he was "ready to negotiate with Russia" to end Russian aggression in east Ukraine. He spoke amid concern that his political inexperience could see him manipulated by Moscow.

French central bank chief, Francois Villeroy de Galhau, said in Paris Tuesday the EU ought to promote the euro as an alternative to US and Chinese currencies in international transactions to help "protect our businesses against foreign exchange risks or legal disputes abroad". The French banker, who is running to be the next European Central Bank chief, said dollar-dominance was "a clear advantage in the exercise of American power".

The Czech Republic's billionaire prime minister, Andrei Babis, has accused the EU anti-fraud office, Olaf, of trying to "destabilise" his country.

The European Commission on Tuesday (4 June) welcomed Romania's pledge to renounce controversial judicial reforms that had triggered strong criticism and threats of sanctions from Brussels.

The Capitals brings you the latest news from across Europe, through on-the-ground reporting by EURACTIV’s media network.

World leaders gather on the coast of southern England on Wednesday (5 June) to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the largest seaborne invasion in history and a feat that helped bring World War Two to an end.

Britain's governing Conservatives on Tuesday (4 June) agreed rules for the contest to replace Prime Minister Theresa May as party chief, including measures to eliminate candidates more quickly from a crowded race.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Antti Hartikainen was appointed as new head of mission for the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). He will take up his duties on 1 July 2019.

Ukraine's strategy of seeking full-fledged NATO membership remains unchanged, new President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday (5 June), during his first trip to Brussels.

Denmark's Social Democratic Party is set to triumph in Wednesday's (5 June) general election, as polls suggest a surge in support for Mette Frederiksen's outfit, following a transformation of the party's stance on immigration after the 2015 national ballot.

Resolving global trade tensions must be a top priority to preserve an expected modest rebound in global growth, European Union finance ministers will tell G20 counterparts this week amid an escalating US-Chinese trade conflict.

Finland’s new government said on Monday (4 June) the country will aim to cut its carbon emissions completely by 2035. The Nordic nation will take over the rotating EU presidency in July, with an ambitious pan-European climate deal still left on the negotiating table.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas launched a call for action on Tuesday (4 June) that aims to develop real solutions that would mitigate the security risks of climate change. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Carles Puigdemont, Oriol Junqueras and Toni Comin, former members of the Catalan government who are currently in exile or in pre-trial detention, have been elected by 1,720,500 citizens of Spain and Catalonia to represent them in the European Parliament.

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East peace adviser Jared Kushner met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker for talks in Brussels on Tuesday (4 June).