Justice & Home Affairs
First Arab-EU summit billed as chance to cooperate in troubled region
European and Arab leaders are to hold their first summit Sunday (24 February), in what the top EU diplomat sees as a chance to boost cooperation across a troubled Mediterranean region.
Romania investigates Timmermans and Jourova, Commission says they have immunity
Relations between Bucharest and Brussels hit an all-time low on Thursday (21 February) as the Romanian press reported that the Commission First Vice President Frans Timmermans and Justice Commissioner Věra Jourová have been indicted for “falsification” of the last Cooperation and Verification report (CVM).
Germany needs a quarter of a million migrant workers a year
Germany is dependent on migrant workers but a decreasing number of them will be EU citizens in the future. In the long term, about 146,000 immigrants from outside of the EU will have to be integrated into the German labour market every year, according to a recent study. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Hungary’s ruling party doesn’t belong in EPP, says Juncker
The party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán should leave the mainstream European center-right grouping, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said, comparing Orbán to French far-right leader Marine Le Pen.
EU banking watchdog investigates Estonia and Denmark over Danske scandal
The European Banking Authority launched a formal investigation on Tuesday (19 February) to determine if Estonian and Danish authorities had failed to enforce EU rules that would have prevented one of the largest-ever money-laundering scandals affecting Danske Bank.
France rallies to denounce anti-Semitic insults at protests
Mass rallies are planned in Paris and other French cities Tuesday (19 February) to denounce a flare-up of anti-Semitic acts which culminated in a violent tirade against a prominent writer during "yellow vest" anti-government protests last weekend.
French debate on setting migration quotas reopened
The question of setting migration quotas in France has come back to the forefront through the 'great debate' initiated by Emmanuel Macron. EURACTIV France reports.
IS ‘caliphate’ on brink of defeat as Trump urges Europe to take foreign fighters home
US-backed fighters in Syria are poised to capture Islamic State’s last, tiny enclave on the Euphrates, the battle commander said on Saturday (16 February), bringing its self-declared caliphate to the brink of total defeat as US President Donald Trump spoke of “100 percent victory”.
Commission adopts stricter blacklist of money launderers
The European Commission has included Saudi Arabia and Panama in an extended ‘blacklist’ of uncooperative jurisdictions in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, in an effort to regain citizens’ trust in the fight against financial crimes.
Europe’s media freedom increasingly under attack, report warns
A "climate of impunity" has taken hold in parts of Europe, where media freedom is increasingly under attack, the annual report to the Council of Europe Platform for the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists has warned.
Commission turns blind eye to violence against demonstrators in France
On Monday (11 February), many MEPs at the European Parliament criticised the amount and severity of injuries suffered during the demonstrations by the French ‘yellow vest’ movement. The fisheries commissioner, who was dispatched on to represent the Commission, did not answer any questions. EURACTIV France reports.
CDU discussion workshop on migration and asylum: ‘What have we learnt?’
For new CDU party chair Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, reforming migration policy represents an opportunity to distance herself from Chancellor Angela Merkel. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German car toll and deportation law stokes EU criticism in Austria
A European Court of Justice decision on Germany's controversial motorway toll and a proposed tightening of deportation laws for asylum seekers has stoked the ire of Austrians over the past week. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The EU must grant visa free travel to Kosovo
The EU finally needs to make good on its oft-repeated promise to grant visa free travel to Kosovo, says Behgjet Pachouli.
EU liberal ranks grow, but so do divisions
Europe’s liberal party welcomed new members to its ranks on Saturday (9 February) as battle lines begin to be drawn ahead of May’s European elections. But a debate on potentially expelling a member party continues.
Orbán opens EU elections campaign, vows defence of ‘Christian’ Europe
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán launched his European elections campaign Sunday (10 February) calling for voters to defend "Christian" nations against immigration, which he said led to the "virus of terrorism".
Why do foreign investors leave Bulgaria as if it were the Titanic?
Despite being one of the most beautiful countries in the European Union, despite having talented and educated people, despite a favourable tax environment, Bulgaria is likely to stay as the poorest in the EU, and to continue losing its population, writes Blaga Thavard.
The Brief – Stop blaming the girls, start educating boys
In October 2018, a dozen women started to come forward and tell stories about sexual harassment and abuse at the heart of Europe’s democracy.
Romania’s Kovesi in pole position for European Chief Prosecutor
Laura Codruţa Kövesi, the former chief prosecutor of Romania’s anti-corruption agency (DNA), is ranked first among three candidates shortlisted for the position of the first-ever chief prosecutor of the European Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
Greece, Turkey vow to defuse tensions through dialogue
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras stressed Tuesday (5 February) they planned to resolve disputes between their two countries through dialogue.
No more ships to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean
Italy’s decision to block the ship of German NGO Sea-Watch in the port of Catania, Sicily, means that there are currently no ships from humanitarian organisations to rescue migrants in the Mediterannean. EURACTIV’s media partner Euroefe reports.
Commission to rule on Czech PM conflict of interest ahead of EU elections
Facing conflict of interest proceedings under tightened EU rules, billionaire Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš may soon become the first European politician found in violation of the bloc's new law.
Hungary causes diplomatic spat over EU’s migration stance
Hungary is threatening to block a common EU position for cooperation with the Arab League. The reason, once again, is migration policy. EURACTIV Germany's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.