European Union

The second summit meeting between Trump and Kim came to an abrupt end without results on Thursday. The two leaders failed to reach an agreement on denuclearisation and an end to US sanctions against North Korea in Hanoi. What conclusions should we draw from this?

The European Parliament has chosen the former director of the Romanian anti-corruption agency, Laura Kövesi, as its top pick for EU chief prosecutor. Kövesi received more votes than the French contender Jean-François Bohnert in the parliamentary committees, however the latter is the favourite among the EU member states. Bucharest has taken the lead in trying to block Kövesi's bid for the top post at the new European agency. Who will prevail?

EU Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on Wednesday expressed concern about Greece's economic situation. In the eyes of the Commission several of the reforms agreed since the bailout programme ended last summer are not progressing fast enough. Now a dividend payment of around one billion euros to Athens could be withheld. Greek commentators see little grounds for optimism.

According to Turkish media three former allies of Turkey's President Erdoğan plan to found two new centre-right parties after the local elections on 31 March: the former prime minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and ex-president Abdullah Gül together with ex-economics minister Ali Babacan. Just a day ago the talk was of all three men forming a party together. Do these plans pose a threat to the ruling AKP?

Refugees in Austria who are refused asylum are rigorously deported, even if they are halfway through their training or education. There are now appeals from the Austrian economy to Chancellor Kurz. EURACTIV Germany reports.