European Union

The European Court of Justice ruled Wednesday that organisms obtained by new mutagenesis techniques should be considered as genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and fall under EU laws on GMOs. Judges said that although the GMO directive does not apply to some techniques, "those which have conventionally been used in a number of applications and have a long safety record," can be covered by the directive.

Relations between the Visegrád countries and Ukraine have deteriorated in recent years. But from the point of view of ordinary Ukrainian citizens, Central and Eastern Europe is still a very attractive model, especially in the economic sense, analyst Kateryna Zarembo told EURACTIV.pl.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is due to arrive in Washington today for talks with Donald Trump in a bid to avoid a trade war between the US and the EU. Europe's media offer their advice as to how he can hold his own against the US president.

The debate following star footballer Mesut Özil's resignation from the German national team continues. After a heated public discussion over his controversial photograph with Turkey's President Erdoğan, Özil had issued a statement lambasting the German Football Association and citing the prevalence of racism and a lack of respect. The way the affair has been dealt with speaks volumes about the situation in Germany, commentators conclude.

The number of victims of the wildfires in the Athens area has risen to 74 according to the fire department in Greece. Several EU countries have offered their help and Italy and Romania are sending water-bomber planes. EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker twittered that no effort would be spared to help Greece. But not all commentators are moved by Europe's show of solidarity.

Two suspected IS terrorists who grew up in Britain are to go on trial in the US. Contrary to expectations London has sought no assurances that Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh, known as the Islamic State "Beatles", will not receive the death penalty. British media are angered by the government's stance.

European courts have repeatedly handed down sentences to sex offenders that the public considers too lenient. Commentators have focussed recently on cases in Spain and Turkey. They call for the offenders to receive just punishment rather than being given lenient sentences on the grounds of extenuating circumstances.