European Union

EU energy ministers have adopted a package of measures to intervene in the electricity markets and reduce high energy prices. But the main topic of the day was how to deal with the gas price itself.

A fresh survey showed that Chinese companies in the EU grow rapidly in the 27-country EU, but business sentiment drops to a three-year low. Time for Brussels to recalibrate its China approach; and please, decoupling should never be Brussels’ answer.

Italy's right-wing parties appear to have toned down their Euroscepticism in recent months as they prepare for power following their landslide victory in last weekend's general election.

Without more dialogue between institutions, trade unions, and civil society, Europe will see chaos and the rise of the far-right, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) president Laurent Berger told EURACTIV France in an exclusive interview. 

Anna and Mariya Muzychuk are world champion grandmaster chess players from Ukraine. On Thursday, they played an exhibition event in Brussels. EUobserver was able to speak to Anna on how the war has impacted her and the game.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (30 September) moved to formally announce the illegal annexation of four Ukrainian regions by Moscow, in what is Europe's biggest territorial land grab since Hitler.

The French pharmaceutical sector is facing a shortage of candidates, despite maintaining its place as a global leader in medicines production. 

As challenges Europe faces keep multiplying, the cultural sector is often pushed to the background to make room for economy and security on the governments' list of priorities.

After the sham referendums in four Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian troops, Putin is due to sign the corresponding accession treaties this Friday. Formal accession of the four regions to the Russian Federation is to follow a few days later. For Europe's press the annexation contravenes international law and marks the beginning of a new, ominous phase in the war.

The number of migrants heading towards Central Europe via Serbia and Hungary has spiked again now that the Covid pandemic has ebbed. Austria and the Czech Republic have introduced controls at their borders with Slovakia because smugglers are increasingly using the country as a transit route. Commentaries reflect disagreement over the measures.

The German government on Thursday agreed on a gas price brake to cushion the skyrocketing energy costs for consumers and businesses. Two hundred billion euros are to be earmarked for the plan. Other European countries are also introducing various measures to make the approaching winter more bearable. Commentators take stock.