Yesterday, President von der Leyen participated at the Berlin Process Summit in Tirana and presented our Growth Plan.
It is based on four pillars:
🔸 bringing the Western Balkans into the Single Market.
🔹 completing their Common Regional Market.
🔸 accelerating reforms to have more convergence of the economies
🔹 increasing EU funding for investment.
Only by working together will we bring the Western Balkans right where they belong, at the heart of the European Union.
REACTION: "Europeans Become Poorer As Americans Get Wealthier" by the Wall Street Journal
...uhhh, WHAT?! How can the WJS claim that Europeans are getting poorer while Americans are getting wealthier? Is the American economy really that strong? Is life in Europe really that bad? Or is there more lurking beyond the surface of this article by the Wall Street Journal? Let's take a look at the data.
It happened with the mail; it may happen soon with money.
We welcome the political agreement reached by the EU Council and the European Parliament on our proposal to make instant payments in euros available to all #EU citizens and businesses at no extra cost.
The new rules will also increase trust in #euro instant payments and make sanctions screening more efficient.
I sadly predict #Twitter & #ElonMusk will ignore these regulations, & will emerge victorious by appealing to #Italy 🇮🇹, #Hungary 🇭🇺, & #Poland 🇵🇱 (who will play interference).
Latest #EuropeanUnion EuroBarometer is a pan-European survey asking about key social issues. I recommend reading the whole survey results, here are some key points.
88% of EU citizens are in favour of providing humanitarian support to the people affected by the war and 86% are in favour of welcoming into the EU people fleeing the war. 75% approve of financial support to Ukraine and 72% back economic sanctions on Russian government, companies and individuals.
In addition, 66% agree with banning state-owned media such as Sputnik and Russia Today from broadcasting in the EU and 64% support financing the purchase and supply of military equipment to Ukraine. 64% also agree with the EU granting candidate status as a potential member of the EU to Ukraine. All in all, 56% of respondents are satisfied with the EU’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and 54% are satisfied with the response by their national government.
On joint EU defense policy:
In this context, 77% of Europeans are in favour of a common defence and security policy. 80% think that cooperation in defence matters at EU level should be increased, 77% believe that Member States’ purchase of military equipment should be better coordinated, 69% would like the EU to reinforce its capacity to produce military equipment and 66% say that more money should be spent on defence in the EU.
These four-legged heroes work diligently to ensure our safety.
With their sharp senses and unwavering dedication, they not only intercept unlawful items at #EU borders but also provide aid during conflicts, natural disasters, and anti-terrorism efforts.
These dedicated heroes deserve our recognition every day.
"Four researchers in the University of Oxford’s Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division have today been awarded major European Research Council Starting Grants, part of the Horizon Europe programme."
👉🏾 @EDPS announced EU voice is closing
👉🏾 @EU_Commission has 100,000 followers
👉🏾 #EuropeanCommission social #ActivityPub account will primarily be on Threads
👉🏾 EU Voice should ask citizens & local businesses in #Europe for instance funding help
Facing a changing geopolitical and economic environment, we rose to the challenge of delivering a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable #economy.
In Versailles, two weeks after Russia's brutal aggression on Ukraine, #EU leaders vowed to take responsibility for our #security and strengthen sovereignty.
Since then, we have taken action to live up to the call. ↓
Burning the Islamic holy book “is offensive, disrespectful and a clear provocation,” Borrell said in a statement. Diversity and tolerance for religious communities are key values of the EU and “expressions of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place” here, the top diplomat added.
On Tuesday, a Quran was burned during far-right anti-Islam demonstrations in front of the Egyptian and Turkish embassies in Copenhagen. Sweden and Denmark have witnessed a number of recent Quran burnings, which inflamed tensions with Turkey.
“Not everything that is legal is ethical,” Borrell said. Some Quran burnings by far-right protestors were authorized by police, however both the Danish and the Swedish governments have condemned the acts.
E.U. Leaders Agree to Open Membership Negotiations With Ukraine (www.nytimes.com)
After a bruising trip to Washington, Ukraine welcomed an important breakthrough in securing support from its allies as the war drags on.
EU economics chief says Europe is gripped by a ‘double crisis’ — but it can avoid a recession (www.cnbc.com)
Europe can avoid a recession, Paolo Gentiloni, the European Commissioner for economic affairs, told CNBC on Saturday.