Iran will not be involved, but regional escalation is possible – EURACTIV.fr

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In today’s Capitals news:

BEIRUT | BRUSSELS

The European Union has lost its credibility in the Arab world because it simply aligned its foreign policy with that of Washington, former Lebanese Defense Minister Yacoub Sarraf told Euractiv in an exclusive interview.

He further said that Iran would not be involved in the conflict between Israel and Hamas unless it was attacked directly, but he did not rule out instability in the wider region. Learn more.

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EU INSTITUTIONS

Biden warns Iran against involvement in Gaza strikes. US President Joe Biden has warned Iran against getting involved in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, fearing a wider regional conflict, while ongoing Israeli airstrikes around the Gaza Strip have driven out hundreds of thousands of people from their homes. Learn more.

The Czech Foreign Minister is the first European official to visit Israel in the context of the war against Hamas. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský became, on Tuesday October 10, the first European politician to make an official visit to the country after the attack launched by Hamas last weekend. Learn more.

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BERLIN

An economic crisis worse than expected, according to the German government. The government has cut its economic growth forecast for the current year, signaling a deeper-than-expected economic crisis and a slower recovery, according to its revised autumn forecast released on Wednesday. Learn more.

Germany makes it easier for asylum seekers to find work. A new set of measures on migration will also speed up refugees’ access to the labor market, the government confirmed on Wednesday after bowing to growing pressure from regions and experts to integrate migrants into the workforce. Learn more.

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PARIS

Debt rules: French MPs oppose “ideological” German position. Germany’s demand to add “common numerical criteria” to the reform of EU economic governance is both “ideological and unrelated to reality”, says a report by French MPs published on Wednesday, calling for more transparency with national parliaments. Learn more.

A French MP presents an amendment aimed at setting a minimum price per unit of alcohol. Cyrille Isaac-Sibille (MoDem, affiliated with Macron’s party) wishes to table an amendment to the 2024 social security financing bill (PLFSS) to set a minimum price per unit of alcohol in order to protect both public health and the wine industry. Learn more.

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VIENNA

EU-Tunisia agreement: an organization based in Vienna must contribute to its implementation. The International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) will manage projects in Tunisia under the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ICMPD told Euractiv in Vienna. Learn more.

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THE HAGUE

Dutch Migrants Party boycotts Israel commemoration in Parliament. Dutch migrant party DENK boycotted a memorial event at Parliament for victims of recent Hamas terror attacks in Israel, after Palestinian victims were not included. Learn more.

SOUTHERN EUROPE

ATHENS

Greece on alert for ‘hidden’ terrorists as Middle East crisis intensifies. Greece’s government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense (KYSEA) will hold an extraordinary meeting on Thursday to discuss the latest developments in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, as Athens fears new migratory waves and potentially “hidden” terrorists. », Report the Greek media. Learn more.

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MADRID

Spanish leader Sumar denounces “Israeli apartheid” against the Palestinian people. “Israeli apartheid” against the Palestinian people must be strongly condemned, Sumar leader and interim Labor Minister Yolanda Díaz said Wednesday, after being accused of failing to condemn attacks on Israel, which she did shortly after. Learn more.

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VALLETTA

Malta is opening a “research” bird trapping season, despite an ongoing infringement investigation by the EU. Malta’s ORNIS committee has accepted recommendations from hunting lobby FKNK to open a trapping season for song thrush and golden plover, while a recommendation for a “research” period for finch trapping has also been accepted. been accepted, despite the ongoing infringement procedure with the European Commission. Learn more.

EASTERN EUROPE

PRAGUE

Czech populists would win elections if held now: poll. Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s Czech opposition party ANO (Renew) would win the Czech parliamentary elections with 33.5% of the vote if the elections were held now, according to a new opinion poll. Learn more.

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BRATISLAVA

Fico is pushing to create a government to meet EU leaders at the October Council summit. The Smer leader wants to accelerate the formation of the government in order to be able to attend the October European Council summit, which will bring him face to face with the leaders who requested his suspension from the Party of European Socialists, according to a letter sent to the PES Presidency . Learn more.

NEWS FROM THE BALKANS

SOFIA

Bulgarian court ruling allows public insults against LGBTQ+ people. The Bulgarian Supreme Court acquitted Bulgarian punk star Milena Slavova after being accused of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community with offensive remarks against the Pride parade in Sofia. Learn more.

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BUCHAREST | BUDAPEST

The EU should finance Neptun Deep, Hungarian President Novak said. The EU should financially support the Neptun Deep project, said Hungarian President Katalin Novak, who expressed interest in purchasing gas from the project, during President Klaus Iohannis’ visit to Budapest on Wednesday. Learn more.

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BELGRADE | PRISTINE

Vucic: Serbian politician who led Kosovo attack to be charged, pressure from EU and opposition mounts. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said Serbian authorities would charge Milan Radoicic, the former vice-president of the Serbian List, who admitted to leading the terrorist attack in northern Kosovo on September 24, while a EU delegation is present is preparing to go to Belgrade and pressure from the opposition is mounting. Learn more.

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BELGRADE

Recession in some EU countries could affect Serbia. The announcement by ten EU states that they are officially in recession could certainly have an impact on Serbia, as the country is closely linked to the EU, although trade has decreased slightly this year compared to the previous year, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Wednesday. Learn more.

AGENDA:

• EU: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, on an official visit to Moldova, meets President Maia Sandu and Prime Minister Dorin Recean in Chișinău;
• Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas delivers opening speech at the 2nd Eastern Mediterranean and South-Eastern Europe Conference;
• Vice President Maroš Šefčovič delivers opening speech at Renewable Hydrogen Summit;
• The Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, met with the Serbian Minister of Internal and Foreign Trade, Tomislav Momirović.
• Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, participates in the Cohesion Alliance high-level event of the European Week of Regions and Cities on the theme “Lessons learned from the FRR: preserving an approach based on the place ” ; Closing event speech “Prosperous regions, a stronger Europe”;
• Stella Kyriakides delivers a speech at the Economist event on “The future of health in Europe: building a sustainable, inclusive and digital health system”; Meets the British Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay;
• Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski delivers the opening speech at the EU conference on EAFRD (European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development) financial instruments, organized by the Commission;
• Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson attends the 11th EU-China Energy Dialogue meeting, in Beijing, China; Holds meeting with Director of the National Energy Administration Zhang Jianhua; Delivers a keynote speech at the ECECP II event on “Investment and Technology Planning for Zero Carbon Infrastructure”;
• The Commissioner for Justice visits the Council of Europe; Holds meetings with Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić, President of the Parliamentary Assembly Tiny Cox; Exchange of views with the Parliamentary Assembly;
• Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton receives the President of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), Martin Brudermüller;
• Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova meets with President of the European Research Council Maria Leptin;
• Financial Services, Financial Stability and the Capital Markets Union Mairead McGuinness participates in a regulatory roundtable hosted by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen, in Marrakech, Morocco; Holds meetings with the Minister of Economy and Finance of the Kingdom of Morocco, Fettah Alaoui, the Minister of Finance of Nigeria Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance of Andorra Lladós Bernaus, the Deputy Minister of Finance of Africa South David Masondo, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey;
• The Parliamentary Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety votes on the type approval of motor vehicles and their engines as well as systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles, with regard to their emissions and battery life (Euro 7);
• Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz receives the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani;
• France: President Emmanuel Macron meets Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh;
• Belgium: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant briefs his NATO counterparts via video link;
• Italy: Verdict expected in the defamation lawsuit filed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni against journalist Roberto Saviano;
• Kyrgyzstan: Russian President Vladimir Putin visits for a meeting of heads of state from the former Soviet republics;

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(Edited by Sarantis Michalopoulos, Daniel Eck, Zoran Radosavljevic, Alice Taylor, Sofia Stuart Leeson, Sofia Mandilara)

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