Eurotopics.net

As of July 1 public transport with buses and trains has been free of charge. The policy, which has been in effect in Tallinn since 2013, has now been extended to the rest of the country, with the exception of four rural districts. According to Estonia's minister of economic affairs Kadri Simson free transport will make it easier for people with low and average incomes to remain mobile. Estonia's press isn't convinced.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin plan to meet on July 16 in Helsinki. The agenda is thought to include Russian-American relations, the situation in Syria and Ukraine and arms control. What objective is Trump pursuing with the summit?

In the run-up to the EU summit at the end of June leading politicians are searching for a solution to the refugee dispute. EU Council President Donald Tusk has proposed setting up centres for processing asylum applications outside the EU. Commentators are sceptical that this will deliver the all-important compromise in the escalating dispute over whether to open or close doors to refugees.

The Eurozone finance ministers decided on Thursday to pay a final installment to Greece, freeing up the country to act independently on the lending markets as of August. In addition deadlines on debt repayment have been pushed back ten years. Discussing the country's tentative return to economic growth commentators praise Athens and criticise its money lenders.

A speech given by Angela Merkel to commemorate the German victims of mass expulsions after WWII and to mark World Refugee Day has triggered harsh reactions from the Czech Republic. In her speech Merkel had said that there was no "moral or political justification" for expulsions. Some commentators show understanding for the indignant reaction from politicians in Prague. Others see the whole affair as a storm in a teacup.