Tag: European Council
Live: ICC issues arrest warrant for Putin over war crimes in Ukraine
The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, including his alleged involvement in the abductions of children from Ukraine. Russia is not party to the Rome Statute of the ICC and immediately dismissed the warrant as legally baseless. Ukraine, on the other hand, hailed […]
Marin denies his promises regarding Finland’s Hornet jets
“I have not made or proposed any decisions. I have said that Finland can discuss how we could participate even more strongly in supporting Ukraine. The Air Force’s 62 Hornet fighters that will retire in 2025. On Monday, Marin faced several questions from the media about her statement in Kyiv last week. “I believe we […]
The EU extends the travel agreement to Kosovo
If approved by the European Parliament, residents of the disputed province would be able to enter the bloc freely for up to 90 days The European Council has adopted a measure to give Kosovo passport holders the freedom to enter the EU without a visa for up to 90 days. The move comes as Brussels […]
The crisis in Ukraine puts the EU’s strategic independence back in the spotlight
© Provided by Xinhua The EU has also supported Ukraine but analysts say it is clear that the US has taken the lead. ROME, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) — The conflict in Ukraine has brought the decades-old issue of the European Union’s (EU) strategic autonomy back into the spotlight, analysts say. In many ways, the United […]
EU adds Russia to black tax havens
The bloc accused Moscow of failing to change a “harmful” benefit tax regime Russia has been added to the EU’s list of “non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes“, The European council notified on Tuesday. The bloc has accused Moscow of maintaining harmful tax practices. According to a statement published on the council’s website, Russian legislation introduced […]
Increased security during the European Council Summit in Reykjavík
The Office of the Police Commander-in-Chief has issued a warning to the police chiefs of the Nordic countries and their offices, informing them of the possibility of formally requesting assistance in connection with the European Council summit, which will take place this spring in Reykjavík. Hundreds of police officers from all national police districts will […]
EU approves new arms package for Ukraine
The bloc’s foreign ministers agreed to give Kyiv nearly $550 million worth of arms EU foreign ministers approved a new tranche of military aid to Ukraine on Monday, Swedish officials have said. The arms bonanza is worth $542 million, but does not include the German tanks that Kyiv and its allies are hoping for. The […]
The EU called for increased spending to compete with the US
Leaders of the bloc will meet next month to discuss possible responses to what they see as unfair measures Germany and France have called on the EU to increase support for domestic industry and unleash massive investment to avoid falling behind US companies in light of the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which they say […]
The European Council summit in Reykjavik
Next May, Iceland will host the summit of the European Council, which currently includes 46 countries. It will be the largest meeting of leaders and ministers ever held in Iceland. In a statement on the website of the Government Council, it was stated that Iceland is taking over the presidency of the Council of Europe […]
Estonia and Finland demand a ban on tourists from Russia
TALLINN, Estonia: The leaders of Estonia and Finland have said Russian citizens should not be able to go on holiday in Europe while the Russian government attacks Ukraine, stressing that other European countries should stop issuing tourist visas to Russians. This week, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas wrote on Twitter that “visiting Europe is a […]
Prime Minister of Finland: EU should restrict Russian tourism
prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has demanded an EU-wide decision to limit the access of Russian tourists to the Schengen countries. The Prime Minister commented for the first time on an issue that has been discussed a lot in Finland in recent weeks. “It is not right that while Russia is waging an aggressive, brutal […]
Live: Three grain ships planned to leave Ukraine on Friday
Plans are in place for three more grain ships to leave Ukraine on Friday, Turkey said, following the departure of the Sierra Leone-registered Razoni on Monday. France has taken in 100,000 Ukrainian refugees since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began more than five months ago, authorities said Thursday. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest […]
Turkey says three grain ships will leave Ukraine on Friday
Plans are in place for three more grain ships to leave Ukraine on Friday, Turkey said, following the departure of the Sierra Leone-registered Razoni on Monday. France has taken in 100,000 Ukrainian refugees since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began more than five months ago, authorities said Thursday. Read about today’s events as they unfolded. All […]
EU ministers agree on gas reduction plans – Finland has already cut
On Tuesday, EU energy ministers agreed on a unique plan, according to which member states will voluntarily reduce the use of natural gas by 15 percent from the beginning of August to the end of March. The unprecedented plan aims to ensure sufficient gas supplies in the EU during the colder months, as Russia is […]
Turkey continues to threaten to veto Sweden, Finland from joining NATO
Istanbul – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan heads to this week’s NATO summit in Madrid and threatens to veto Finland’s and Sweden’s attempts to join the Atlantic Alliance. Ankara warns that it is not ready to lift its veto threat against their offer of NATO membership ahead of the alliance’s summit in Madrid on Tuesday. […]
Finnish MEPs welcome EU climate package, but call for stronger action
The European Parliament approved key elements of the EU’s new climate package on Wednesday. The Finnish MPs in the Parliamentary Committee on the Environment had mixed views on the compromise agreement reached after long debates between the legislature’s political groups. The positions adopted in plenary call for a reform of emissions trading, carbon taxes and […]
International Round-Up: Refugees are struggling to find work in Denmark, but are doing better in Norway and Sweden
Refugees in Denmark may face a harder time when it comes to finding work, at least compared to those in neighboring countries, according to a new report by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research. The study, which examined how Nordic integration policy affects refugees’ entry into the […]
The EU has agreed to ban “more than 2/3” of Russia’s oil imports
“This package of sanctions includes other tough measures: the release of Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, a ban on three other Russian state-owned broadcasters and the imposition of sanctions on war crimes in Ukraine,” he added. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen The EU said that after reaching an agreement on a partial […]
Prime Minister Marin welcomes Russia’s oil ban "a significant step"
prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) welcomes the agreement reached by EU leaders in Brussels on Monday to block more than two-thirds of Russia’s oil imports into the Union. "We reached a compromise and remain united on an issue that has been difficult to negotiate," Marin said. The ban applies to all Russian crude oil and […]
Latest developments in Ukraine: 30 May
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flash point Ukraine. Recent developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT: 01:45: The European Council is preparing for its meeting on 30-31 May in Brussels, during which Council members will discuss Ukraine, security of energy supply and defense. “Ukraine shows incredible courage […]
Marin is visiting Ukraine
prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) visited Bucha and Irpin in Ukraine on Thursday, according to local media, including Gazeta, Segodnya, ZN and Ukrainska Pravda. In pictures published in the Telegram account of the Russian-language Ukrainian newspaper Segodnya, the gloomy Marin was seen wearing a bulletproof vest soaked in rain in Bucha. Bucha, located northeast of […]
Sweden strikes back against Turkey
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson’s statement comes when Turkey has hindered Swedish membership in NATO Sweden does not finance terrorists, the country’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson claimed on Wednesday in response to Turkish accusations. Ankara has accused Stockholm of arming and supporting Kurdish militias they consider to be terrorists. This issue is one of the main […]
NATO talks between Sweden and Turkey in progress: PM
STOCKHOLM, May 25 (Xinhua) – Sweden continues its dialogue with Turkey to secure Ankara’s support for Stockholm’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), said Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson here on Wednesday. “Sweden’s dialogue with Turkey is ongoing, and I look forward to strengthening Swedish-Turkish bilateral relations, including peace, security and the fight […]
Sweden strikes back at Turkey’s accusation
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson’s statement comes when Turkey has hindered Swedish membership in NATO Sweden does not finance terrorists, the country’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson claimed on Wednesday in response to Turkey’s accusations. Ankara has accused Stockholm of arming and supporting Kurdish militias considered terrorists by Turkey. This position is one of the main reasons […]
Sweden strikes back at Turkey’s accusation
Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson’s statement comes when Turkey has hindered Swedish membership in NATO Sweden does not finance terrorists, the country’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson claimed on Wednesday in response to Turkey’s accusations. Ankara has accused Stockholm of arming and supporting Kurdish militias considered terrorists by Turkey. This position is one of the main reasons […]
HS: Finland has confiscated more than 80 million euros in Russian assets
The Finnish authorities have frozen assets worth more than 80 million euros due to sanctions imposed on Russia, Helsingin Sanomat said on Sunday. The property was owned by Russian individuals and entities subject to EU sanctions following an attack on Ukraine almost three months ago. More than 1,000 individuals and 80 communities have been frozen […]
Putin’s war splits the peace movement
Cast: Jana PuglierinGerman security analyst at the European Council on Foreign Relations, Alexander KroneGerman commander, Fredrik Egefurresearchers on pacifism, Lova Olssonpolitical reporter at Ekot, Martina Skrakleft party artist, Svante Olsonformer left-wing party artist, Jonas Hinnforspolitical scientist, Martin Smedjebackactivist, Agnes Hellströmchairman of Svenska Freds Host: Firas [email protected] Reporter: Caroline Salzinger and Simon Moser Technician: Stina Fagerberg […]
Poland-Sweden organizes Intl Donors’ Conference on May 5 to mobilize support for Ukraine
Warsaw [Poland]April 25 (ANI): In an initiative from Poland and Sweden aimed at providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine, an international donor conference will be held in Warsaw, Poland on May 5. “A Polish-Swedish initiative for Ukraine: Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson are organizing a donors’ conference in Warsaw,” reads […]
Marin in Brussels: "When we buy energy from Russia, we are financing the war"
EU leaders agreed in Brussels on Friday night on guidelines for energy prices and self-sufficiency. According to the Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP), the decisions do not impose any additional obligations on Finland. After a long debate, EU leaders approved energy policy guidelines. The ceiling on energy prices proposed by Spain, Portugal and others sparked […]
Marin: Finland is ready to tighten sanctions against Russia
He said additional measures weighed include sanctions against other individuals and an extension of the blockade of Russian financial transactions promoted by Swift. Several heads of state are calling for tougher measures on a busy diplomatic day that included a meeting of NATO, the G7 and the European Council. The Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz […]
The EU agrees with the fourth set of sanctions – the fifth is more difficult, Saarikko says
“Finance ministers are still surprisingly unanimous in this difficult situation.” The European Council yesterday announced a fourth package of sanctions to increase economic pressure on the Kremlin and weaken its ability to fund the invasion of Ukraine. The package includes a total ban on transactions with state-owned companies that make up the Kremlin’s military-industrial complex, […]
“Let’s sit at the negotiating table”: Ukrainian President to Putin
Kiev [Ukraine]February 25 (ANI): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin sit down at the negotiating table amid escalating tensions over Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. “I would like to address the President of Russia once again … let’s sit at the negotiating table to stop people dying,” Zelenskyy said in a […]
The EU has decided to impose additional sanctions on Russia: President of the European Council
“We also discussed supporting the Ukrainian people and state to mobilize funding capacity and humanitarian aid,” he added. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said new EU sanctions against Russia would hit 70 percent of Russia’s banking sector, a major state-owned company, and take away access to modern technology from Russia. “First, […]
Foreign Minister: Finland will participate in the NATO Virtual Summit
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Pekka Haavisto (Green) confirmed on Thursday that Finland and Sweden will take part in a NATO virtual summit on the situation in Ukraine on Friday. "The participation of Finland and Sweden in the NATO meeting is important e.g. Due to the situation in the Baltic Sea region." Haavisto said. […]
YLE: The Prime Minister of Finland is ready to consider allowing the export of defense equipment to Ukraine
He added that issues related to the export of defense equipment will be discussed at joint meetings of the President and the Committee on Foreign and Security Policy. The European Union announced on Wednesday first round of sanctions targeted at Russian President Vladimir Putin. Sanctions, officials saidare the first step in punishing the 351 Russian […]
Right now: Following Putin’s announcement – EU prepares sanctions against Russia
The EU condemns in the harshest possible terms the Russian President’s decision to recognize the non-state-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk. It writes the President of the European Council Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, in a joint press release a while ago. The action is a blatant […]
Has Ukraine triggered a geopolitical awakening in Europe
Lviv, Ukraine – Western media have been keen to explain in sweeping geopolitical terms why Ukraine plays a role – probably for fear that readers and audiences may believe that the fate of a remote country on the outskirts of Europe does not matter to them. But they may be preaching to the converts, according […]
Survey shows whether EU countries fear probable Russian invasion
Many Europeans have come to believe that an invasion of Ukraine is imminent The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) has released a new survey which indicates that the majority of people in countries such as Germany, Poland and Sweden say that a Russian invasion of Ukraine is “likely” before the end of the year. […]
EU ministers are giving the green light to Finland’s Covid recovery plan
EU finance ministers approved Finland’s Covid recovery and resilience plan in a video conference on Thursday, which will give Finland its first share of the EU’s recovery package. The initial payment is 13 percent of the recovery fund pot, or approximately EUR 271 million. In total, Finland will receive an estimated EUR 2.1 billion from […]
Europe worries Poland could follow Britain and leave EU
WARSAW, Poland: Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has posed an unmatched challenge to one of the fundamental principles of law of the European Union (EU), which has escalated his government’s dispute with Brussels and caused fears of a “Polexit”. The Polish Constitutional Court ruled at the end of last week that important articles in one […]
The ruling of the Polish court violates European law
In the ruling of the Polish court, we can read that the Constitution takes precedence over EU law, which is a violation of European law. The Union may try to deprive Poland of the right to vote in the Community. The situation has long been tense between the Polish government and the European Union. The […]
EU leaders discuss the EU-NATO declaration
Earlier in the day, executives met for an informal working dinner in Slovenia. “PEC (President of the European Council Charles Michel) Member States will have to agree on a new EU – NATO declaration and preparatory discussions leading to a new strategic concept for the Alliance, “the official told the media. Another important issue at […]
HS: EU officials consider Finland’s recovery plan “one of the best”
European Commission officials estimate that part of the increase is due to the simultaneous nature of stimulus measures across the 27 countries, which will benefit export-led countries such as Finland. On Monday, the European Commission approved Finland’s recovery and survival plan and recommended that the plan be approved by the European Council as well. The […]
The EU President will visit Finland to discuss the EUR 2 billion stimulus package
On Monday, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen makes his first official visit to Finland. He will discuss current EU affairs with the Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) in Helsinki. During the visit, the Commission will publish its assessment of the Finnish Recovery and Survival Plan (RRP) and present its proposal […]
Finland will receive the first tranche of the EUR 2 billion Covid stimulus package
Finland will receive the first tranche of the European Union’s EUR 750 billion Covid-19 stimulus package in October, Yle has learned. Several knowledgeable sources have told Yle that the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) announces the approval of Finland’s national coronavirus recovery plan in […]
Finnish politicians criticise the Russian elections
Finnish politicians have closely followed the controversial Russian elections, and Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee has expressed concern about the acceptance of candidates and restrictions on the activities of international observers. The three-day election ended on Sunday, and official results show the president Vladimir Putin The United Russia party gets almost half the votes and two-thirds […]
EU € 1.5 billion fuel tax subsidies increase climate impact and overfishing: Report
Report, The air impact and the fishing industry will benefit from EU fuel tax subsidies, which assesses tax subsidies for fossil fuels for the entire EU fishing fleet and includes case studies from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Netherlands, finds that destructive and fuel – consuming fishing vessels benefit most from these false subsidies, […]
Bulgaria maintains Ukraine’s sovereignty
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Svetlan Stoev, who began a three-day visit to Ukraine on Monday, reaffirmed his country’s consistent support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and expressed concern over the growing militarization of the Black Sea. The Bulgarian chief diplomat gave a speech at the inauguration of the international summit […]
The United States is seen as a greater threat to democracy than China or Russia
The world has been treated with successive views by national leaders gathered at a G7 summit in Cornwall and a NATO summit in Brussels. The American business media has portrayed these summits as opportunities for President Biden to gather the leaders of the world’s democratic nations in a coordinated response to the most serious problems […]
Finland presents a plan to use the EU’s share of the Covid-19 incentive
The Treasury minister Matti Vanhanen (Center) estimated at yesterday’s press conference that the plan is not a recovery plan in the traditional sense of the term, but rather a reform program. “Past national recovery efforts have supported existing ones; reforms are key priorities here,” he explained. The plan consists of four pillars, of which € […]
Thursday’s papers: The Prime Minister’s breakfast, the Viking Sally drama, brings his own pen
Shaking Thursday Evening Magazine puts the wife of the former prime minister against the current prime minister, Sanna Marin (SDP). The tabloid quotes a Facebook post Päivi Lipponen, a former Member of Parliament and the wife of a former Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen, who criticized Marin for delivering food – mostly breakfast items – to […]
Finland’s strict quarantine rules are preventing the recovery of tourism, says Finnair’s CEO
“The quarantine requirement is a really significant obstacle to the recovery of tourism,” says Topair Manner, Finnair’s CEO. stated Helsingin Sanomat on Monday. In addition to the majority state-owned airline, the plea has been signed by Finavia, the Finnish Hospitality Association (Mara), Service Union United (PAM) and the cities of Espoo, Vantaa and Helsinki. At […]
The European Parliament ratifies the EU-UK trade agreement
The trade and co-operation agreement was necessary to regulate relations between Britain and the bloc after the end of the post-Brexit transition period, which ended on 1 January. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomes the ratification of the agreement. “I am very pleased with @Europarl_EN [EU Parliament] to vote in favor […]
Italian Prime Minister attacks Erdogan: “A dictator”
Tonight, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi calls Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “a dictator” in a comment to this week’s meeting in the Turkish capital Ankara, between the EU and Turkey. Draghi made the comment regarding Erdogan’s noted actions towards European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. During the meeting, the President of the European […]
Boris Johnsson: We have not stopped the export of vaccines
The vaccine dispute between the EU and the UK is escalating. Charles Michel, President of the European Council, last night accused Britain of banning the export of vaccines against Covid-19. “Let me be clear: we have not stopped the export of a single dose of vaccine,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the British […]
What’s the point of a local council with only one school and not a health center? Hailuoto may soon find out
Hailuoto is in many ways an exceptional municipality. It is an island in the Bothnian Sea, the northernmost northern part of the Baltic Sea, and is the smallest local council in Northern Ostrobothnia in terms of population. Still, Hailuoto offers several services to its approximately one thousand inhabitants, which in many other places are provided […]
Delivery delays inhibit Sweden’s COVID-19 vaccination
STOCKHOLM, February 26 (Xinhua) – Delivery problems have hindered the expansion of coronavirus vaccines in Sweden and caused great frustration among the public, said Sweden’s Municipalities and Regions (SALAR) on Friday. The government has promised that every adult in Sweden will be vaccinated at the end of June, but SALAR warned that this might not […]
Stefan Löfven holds a press conference
“It is problematic that we have not received all the vaccine doses. It is important that the poor countries also receive the vaccine,” said Prime Minister Stefan Löfven at a digital press conference on the occasion of the video conference in the European Council. “During the morning, I spoke with the Prime Minister of Norway, […]
One third of Europeans do not trust Americans, says think tank survey
BERLIN January 19 (Xinhua) – Thirty-two percent of Europeans no longer believed Americans could trust after electing Donald Trump president in 2016, according to a pan-European survey of more than 15,000 people in 11 countries published on Tuesday. In Germany, 53 percent of those polled said they strongly agreed or agreed that Americans can no […]
Sanna Marin demands the immediate release of Navalny
In a Monday morning tweet, Marin announced that Navalny “must be released immediately” and suggested Russia investigate the circumstances of his poisoning. Foreign minister Pekka Haavisto reiterated this view, according to which Finland supports the EU position. Marin is one of many world leaders who has condemned the arrest. United States Secretary of State Mike […]
George Soros: Merkel has surrendered to “blackmail of Hungarians and Poles”
In article published an opinion site Project syndicate, Soros argues that the compromise treats the challenge of Hungary and Poland to EU values as a “legitimate political position that deserves recognition” – which “only increases” the risks now facing the EU. Mr. Soros identifies three “basic flaws” in the transaction. Firstly, the declaration significantly undermines […]
Proposal: EU-wide training of imams
Following the recent terrorist attacks in Nice and Vienna, more and more voices are now being raised for tougher measures against radical Islamists in the EU. One of the proposals is a joint EU training of imams. “We must fight hatred as an ideology, and set up a European institute to train imams throughout the […]
Taoiseach and EC President Charles Michel catch up in the Irish capital
DUBLIN, Ireland – Taoiseach Micheal Martin hosted European Council President Charles Michel at a meeting in Dublin on Thursday. The meeting came ahead of next week’s European Council meeting, where a number of important issues – including the ongoing Brexit negotiations – are on the agenda. The couple met in Farmleigh to discuss issues on […]
UK-DK trade: Keeping business moving when the UK leaves the EU
On 1 January 2021, the trade arrangements between Denmark and the United Kingdom will be changed. Good news, bad newsDuring the transition period, the UK has traded with the EU on the same basis as an EU member, although the UK officially left the EU on 1 February. During the transition period, both parties have […]
Difficult balancing act during the EU summit with China
More fair trade and respect for international law and human rights. These are some of the points the EU raised with China’s leaders at today’s summit. “Europe must be a player, not a game plan,” said European Council President Charles Michel after the summit between EU leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping. A meeting scaled […]
Prime Minister Marin will switch to telework after a possible coronavirus exposure
prime minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has moved to telecommuting at its official residence in Kesäranta as a precautionary measure following a possible coronavirus exposure, the government’s communications department said on Thursday. PM, which is said to be asymptomatic, is also tested for coronavirus. Marin will resume the work schedule on Thursday as planned, including participating […]