European Union

As associated countries of Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova ask for a more ambitious Eastern Partnership (EaP) policy, the debate continues about the next steps and available financial support for what is lauded as one of the EU's most successful foreign policies.

Several delegations, including from Finland, Israel, and Sweden are to skip a meeting in Rotterdam, a Dutch city, Monday to prepare for the Eurovision song contest to be held there in May due to coronavirus contagion fears, the organisers said. The show's own chief, Jon Ola Sand from the Swiss-based European Broadcasting Union, is also to skip the event and the contest itself may need to be postponed.

The price of crude oil has plunged by almost 27 percent after Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, said it would step up production from next month, the Guardian writes. The shock decision by state oil company Aramco over the weekend came in response to Russia's refusal to join an Opec plan to cut supplies. Aramco will boost its crude output significantly above 10m barrels per day.

Three Russians and a man from eastern Ukraine go on trial in absentia in The Netherlands Monday accused by Dutch prosecutors of downing flight MH17 in Ukraine in 2014, killing 298 mostly Dutch people. "The start of the criminal trial ... marks an important milestone towards establishing the truth, and achieving justice," the EU foreign service said on Saturday. It also urged Russia "to cooperate fully" with an ongoing investigation.

A coalition of EU states has offered to relocate up to 1,500 migrant children from Greek islands on a "voluntary" basis, Germany said Sunday without naming the members of the group. "At the European level, negotiations are taking place these days on a humanitarian solution with the aim of organising the care of these children," the German government said. The move comes after Turkey recently let refugees come to Europe.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is coming to Brussels on Monday amid an ongoing emergency on the Greek border.

Rule of law in Poland could be gravely harmed on 20 March unless the EU takes action, a Polish judge who faces prison for his verdicts has told EUobserver.

EU health ministers voiced concerns about the possible shortage of protective equipment and medicines in some member states, after Germany, France, and the Czech Republic blocked the export of anti-virus gear.

EU health ministers voiced concerns about the possible shortage of protective equipment and medicines in some member states, after Germany, France, and the Czech Republic blocked the export of anti-virus gear.

The European Commission is set to unveil the EU-Africa and the circular economy strategy this week. Additionally, MEPs will hold the plenary session in Brussels after the president David Sassoli cancelled the plenary in Strasbourg due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Former EUobserver investigations editor Peter Teffer has written a new book about how lobbying in the EU works. The EU's focus on the internal market offers corporate lobbyists a perfect means to forward their interests.

Romanian policy makers should see Green Deal as helpful, not a hindrance, in pursuit of energy and economic transformation.

Uzbekistan will become an observer in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) before deciding if it wants to become a full member of the trade bloc, the Tashkent government said on Saturday (7 March).

On 9 March 2020, President Charles Michel will meet Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Turkey.

Italy’s government has issued an emergency decree early Sunday putting the North of the country under lockdown, in an attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus.

On International Women's Day, the European Parliament celebrates the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA).

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

On International Women's Day, the European Parliament celebrates the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA).

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The EU issued a declaration on the start of the criminal trial on the downing of flight MH17, acknowledging its importance towards establishing the truth and achieving justice for the victims.

Interview with Mrs. Cai Xiaoli, spouse of the Chinese Ambassador to the EU on the effect of the coronavirus outbreak in China and the celebration of Women's day in China and Europe.

Weekly schedule of President Charles Michel 9-15 March 2020