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In Capitals news today:
SOFIA
The Bulgarian government has launched a procedure aimed at putting an early end to imports of Russian oil, which supplies the refinery of the Russian company Lukoil, located near the Black Sea city of Burgas. Analysts say the move is aimed at putting pressure on Lukoil to sell its operations in Bulgaria. Learn more.
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BERLIN
European elections: German far-right candidates under scrutiny amid controversy over fake CVs. Candidates from Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) running for the European Parliament will have to present evidence to the party leadership to verify their CVs, after investigations revealed that the CVs of two candidates contained false or misleading claims. Learn more.
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PARIS
France targets 12 industrial factories for a radical reduction in water consumption. The French government unveiled its first “water plan” on Monday, intended to guide 12 industrial sites like those of companies like ArcelorMittal, Saint-Gobain and TotalEnergies in reducing their water consumption. Learn more.
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VIENNA
Austrian Foreign Minister defends military neutrality in the face of international criticism. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg reiterated his country’s neural stance on military action at an event in Spain on Monday, amid repeated international criticism over its dependence on Russian gas and reluctance to rethink its security policy. Learn more.
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BRUSSELS
The Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs on a mediation mission in the South Caucasus. Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib began a four-day visit to the South Caucasus region on Monday, focusing on promoting peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Learn more.
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THE HAGUE
Koran tear leads to Dutch-Turkish conflict. The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Dutch deputy ambassador on Monday to express its displeasure over the public tearing of the Koran in front of the Turkish embassy in The Hague on Friday. Learn more.
UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND
LONDON
The United Kingdom is seeing renewed interest from non-EU job seekers. Britain has seen a surge in overseas job searches over the past year, partly reflecting a relaxation of work visa rules for third-country nationals after Brexit, according to figures published Tuesday by the recruitment site Indeed. Learn more.
SOUTHERN EUROPE
MADRID
Catalan leader: Amnesty and self-determination ‘essential’ to resolve conflict with Madrid. Amnesty and self-determination are essential for Catalonia to make substantial progress in resolving the region’s ongoing conflict with Spain’s central government, Catalan Prime Minister Father Aragonès warned Monday at an event attended by of the independence leader Carles Puigdemont. Learn more.
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ROME
Italy hopes for a reform of the EU Stability Pact by the end of the year. Italian Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti (League, ID) will not ask to extend the suspension of the Stability Pact clause but hopes that by the end of the year the reform will be completed to start again with new rules in 2024. Learn more.
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ATHENS
Greece offers F-16 training and reconstruction aid during Zelensky’s visit. Greece will contribute to the training of Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet pilots and the reconstruction of Odessa, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Monday. Learn more.
VISEGRAD
WARSAW
Poland’s decision PiS leader wants to debate EPP Weber before elections. Polish Law and Justice (PiS) leader Jarosław Kaczyński said he wanted to debate European People’s Party leader Manfred Weber, with PiS accusing the German politician of trying to interfere in the election national. Learn more.
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PRAGUE
Czechia cuts benefits to Ukrainian refugees and saves money. Czechia has tightened the conditions for paying benefits to Ukrainian refugees, allowing its economy to achieve considerable savings during financial consolidation. Learn more.
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BRATISLAVA
The Slovak far-right’s desire to leave NATO dashes its hopes of joining the government coalition. The idea of a referendum on Slovakia’s exit from NATO was reiterated on Monday by the leader of the far-right Republika party, MEP Milan Uhrík – a call that goes against the red line set by potential coalition partners, including the party of anti-Ukraine leader and former Prime Minister Robert. Fico. Learn more.
NEWS FROM THE BALKANS
TIRANA
Excluded from the dinner in Athens, Rama declares: “One day the Balkans, always the Balkans”. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama declined to comment on his Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ decision not to invite him to a meeting of Western Balkan leaders and the European Commission in Athens, but only told EURACTIV that “ the Balkans one day, the Balkans always will be. Learn more.
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BUCHAREST | CHISINAU
Serbian artist banned from entering Moldova to perform in Romania. Goran Bregovic, a musician known for his support of the Kremlin regime, is to perform in Romania after his refusal to enter Moldova sparked a diplomatic row with Belgrade. Learn more.
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PRISTINE
Process to pave way for elections in northern Kosovo to be concluded by September 1. Kosovo’s citizens will decide whether to replace ethnic Albanian mayors in the Serbian-majority north of the country or allow them to remain in office, according to an ongoing process at the Ministry of Local Government and Administration that is expected to end on September 1. Learn more.
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(Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Zoran Radosavljevic, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara)
