Eurotopics.net

One country after another is making moves to ensure that diesel and petrol engines become a thing of the past: Paris, Madrid, Athens and Helsinki plan to ban their production by 2025, with London following suit in 2040. In Germany the cartel scandal that has hit the automotive industry has added fuel to the debate. But commentators see bans as the wrong approach for various reasons.

The US Senate has followed the lead of the House of Representatives and approved by a large majority new sanctions against Russia. The corresponding legislation will now be presented to US President Donald Trump for signing. The EU Commission has threatened to react with countermeasures if Trump signs the measure into law. Europe's commentators view the developments with concern.

The EU Commission has shown understanding with Eastern Europeans who refuse to be fobbed off with supermarket products of inferior quality. The Commission now plans to develop guidelines banning double standards on food products. With this measure Brussels is reacting to a complaint brought by the Visegrád states. The media of these countries are full of praise for the initiative.

Bulgaria and Macedonia plan to sign a "good neighbours" agreement at the start of August. This is intended to mark the beginning of a new chapter in relations between the two countries. In concrete terms the construction of a new railway line is in planning. Bulgarian journalists are delighted.

Rund zwei Wochen nach der Festnahme von zehn Menschenrechtsaktivisten in der Türkei wurde gegen sechs von ihnen Untersuchungshaft verhängt. Darunter sind die Landesdirektorin von Amnesty International (AI), ein deutscher und ein schwedischer Berater. Ihnen wird die Unterstützung einer Terrororganisation vorgeworfen. Welche Reaktion ist jetzt richtig?