Central Europe
Silk Road financial hub inaugurated in Kazakhstan
The “Astana International Financial Centre” or AIFC, was inaugurated today (5 July) at a lavish ceremony in the Kazakh capital.
Slovakia down in the dumps at €1m EU fine
The European Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday (5 July) that Slovakia has not followed EU rules on landfills and will have to pay a €1 million lump sum fine and penalty payments of €5,000 for every day of delay.
EU summit approves tortured conclusions on migration after sleepless night
EU leaders reached a much-needed deal on steps to tackle migration after resolving a bitter row with Italy's inexperienced prime minister. Extended talks lasted through the night and only wrapped up on Friday morning (29 June).
Poland’s defence of contested judicial changes leaves EU unconvinced
EU ministers held the first-ever Article 7 hearing in Luxembourg on Tuesday (June 26) to determine the state of play in the rule of law dispute between Brussels and Poland. The EU remains unconvinced by Poland's recent efforts, with everyone waiting to see if and how a crucial judicial reform will go ahead on 3 July.
Bulgaria under fire for ill-treatment of asylum-seekers
French lawyers will file a complaint against Bulgaria and ask the European Commission to start an infringement procedure for inhumane treatment of asylum seekers by the country’s authorities, the Green/EFA group announced on Tuesday (26 June).
MEPs call on Parliament to trigger Article 7 procedure against Hungary
The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) recommended on Monday (June 25) triggering an Article 7 procedure against Hungary for breaching the fundamental values of the Union under Viktor Orbán’s rule.
A fateful week for the Chancellor
Chancellor Angela Merkel's presumably last term in office appears to be by far the hardest of her career. EURACTIV Germany looks at the crucial week ahead.
Pro-Russia Communists to back new Czech minority cabinet
Czech president Miloš Zeman said on Sunday (24 June) he may appoint a new two-party cabinet on Tuesday or Wednesday following eight months of political instability after last October's election.
Romania parliament changes criminal procedure; opposition says aims to hide graft
Romania's lower house of parliament on Monday night (18 June) approved amendments to the country's criminal procedure, which critics and the centrist opposition say would weaken prosecutors' powers to probe high level corruption.
Timmermans on Poland: Changes are ‘not sufficient’
Polish authorities need to address key concerns of the Commission over the independence of the country's judiciary by the end of the month, Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans told the European Parliament plenary in Strasbourg on Wednesday (13 June).
Bulgaria to launch joint application to euro waiting room and Banking union
Bulgaria will seek to join both the eurozone’s waiting room and the bloc’s banking union within a year, Finance Minister Vladislav Goranov said on Tuesday (12 June).
Poland aims to be ‘keystone’ between diverging EU and US, says PM
Poland's rightwing prime minister has said the growing rift between the EU and the United States is a "great opportunity" for his country, which he hopes will be a "keystone" between them as trade tensions escalate.
Poland’s ruling PiS party considers joining centre-right EPP
Politicians in Poland's ultra-conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party are pushing to join the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) after next year's European elections. EURACTIV Poland's media partner, Gazeta Wyborcza, reports.
In striking contrast with G7, Shanghai summit focuses on ‘unity’
Chinese President Xi Jingping has praised the "unity" of the Shanghai Cooperation Agreement (SCO) at the opening ceremony of the organization's summit in the coastal Chinese city of Quingdao.
Masks fall as Romanian government withdraws UNESCO application for Rosia Montana
The Romanian government has officially requested UNESCO to withdraw Bucharest's application to make Rosia Montana a protected world heritage site. The move prompted outrage and protests over the ruling PSD's apparent links with the company that wants to turn the site into a commercial gold mine, writes Claudia Ciobanu.
Poland poses as EU-US mediator in Iran nuclear standoff
While the EU seems to have agreed on a united stance in the Iran nuclear dispute with the US, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has highlighted the cracks and put his country forward as an informal mediator. EURACTIV Poland reports.
Commission to pour cold water on Bulgaria’s Eurozone ambition
Euro-hopeful Bulgaria does not yet meet the criteria to adopt the single currency, the European Commission will say today (23 May) in an assessment of European Union countries that must one day switch to the euro.
Bulgaria PM plans to restart second atomic power project
Six years after freezing the construction of a second nuclear power plant, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced on Saturday (12 May) he intends to restart the project. Chinese investors have already expressed interest.
Turkmenistan to tap into Southern Gas Corridor
Gas swaps in which Iran plays a central role could open the door for Turkmenistan, a Central Asian country with ample gas reserves, to become an important player on the EU gas market, according to media reports.
‘Kitchen of Conflict’: Through the stomach towards tolerance
Poland and Hungary are the only two EU countries that have not accepted any refugee under the EU relocation and resettlement program. In an interview with EURACTIV Poland, Jarmila Rybicka talks about how her project tries to overcome fears and stereotypes about refugees.
Empire strikes back: EU to combat eastern strongmen with funding threat
The European Union will deploy a new financial weapon next week to try to rein in what Brussels sees as illiberal nationalism rising in the east of the bloc and threatening its democratic foundations.
Bulgaria’s Borissov unveils secret criteria for joining the eurozone
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said he apologises for revealing a secret, but that the Bulgarians should know about the main additional condition for the country’s accession to the eurozone.
Civil organisations in Hungary brace for government crackdown on NGOs
Non-governmental organisations in the crosshairs of Hungary's EPP-affiliated government are seeking new funding sources and legal ways to counter a new law that would allow the interior minister to ban NGOs deemed to pose a "national security risk".![[Shutterstock]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/04/shutterstock_700257709-800x450.jpg)