About: Maroš Šefčovič
EU’s battery mega-projects charge on despite virus
The European Union’s quest to corner a sizeable chunk of the globe’s battery market has batted off the worst effects of the coronavirus outbreak, according to the officials tasked with overseeing the mini-industrial strategy.
Sefcovic calls for fair EU market access in China to ‘increase trust’ after COVID-19
European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič has renewed calls for European firms to gain fair market access in China after the global public health crisis has been reigned in, in an effort to restore trust and confidence.
Macron cuts ribbon on first battery mega-project
French President Emmanuel Macron attended on Thursday (30 January) the ground-breaking ceremony for a new battery factory in southwest France: the first real result of an EU-led policy aimed at boosting the industry and helping it withstand global competitors.
EU eyes phasing out smallest euro cent coins
The European Commission is considering a proposal to phase out 1-euro cent and 2-euro cent coins, an EU document showed, in what would be a cost-saving move as the coins' production and handling costs often exceed their face value.
Russia, Ukraine agree ‘in principle’ new gas deal, signature expected in Minsk
Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission, after hours-long talks on Thursday, agreed in principle on a new gas deal starting after 1 January 2020, European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič told a briefing. Ukraine is a key transit route for...
Bill sanctioning Nord Stream 2, Turkish Stream goes to White House, Russia cries foul
US sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project are a breach of international law and an example of unfair competition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday (18 December).
A ‘startup mindset’ is behind battery strategy, says EU official
The European Commission has been driven into the uptake of a fresh startup mindset in its efforts to develop a value chain for batteries in the last two years, said the Head of Unit for Automotive and Mobility Industries at the DG GROW Joanna Szychowska.
31 December 2019: Will gas stop flowing?
The clock is ticking. The long-term gas transit contract between Russia and Ukraine is expiring on 31 December. Chances that the two sides would reach a comprehensive agreement before this date are slim. EURACTIV looks behind the scenes of the dispute.
EU could ban dirty battery imports, says Commission VP
Batteries that do not meet rigorous green standards could be banned from the European market, Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič warned on Monday (9 December), as the EU executive approved €3.2 billion of state aid for some home-grown projects.
China in focus as West debates critical minerals challenge
Western powers will attend talks in Brussels next week on curbing China's dominance of rare earths and other critical resources and EU officials will present their vision to create entire green supply chains.
Ukraine ready in case transit of Russian gas stops
Ukraine is ready for the gas transportation being stopped on the Ukrainian territory in case a new gas transit contract with Moscow is not negotiated, Ukraine's Energy Minister Oleksiy Orzhel announced on Monday (4 November). The current gas contract expires on 31 December.
EU to assess five critical minerals in low carbon quest
The European Commission is assessing five new minerals for possible inclusion in a revised list of critical raw materials to be published next year, as it seeks to bolster supply chains for a low emissions economy, a senior Commission official said.
EU-mediated Russia-Ukraine gas talks in deadlock
Russia and Ukraine need a sense of urgency in their talks on gas transit for Europe, the European Union's energy chief said after the latest round in Brussels on Monday (28 October) failed to yield progress.
Outer-space prospecting aims to boost EU’s battery plans
Space policy and efforts to boost electric vehicle uptake share a somewhat unusual link, beyond connected cars and global positioning systems: procuring raw materials could soon be made easier via satellites.
Sefcovic forsees ‘an Airbus for batteries, for 5G, AI, green tech’
In one of his first interviews since getting the nod to serve another five years in the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič talked about his new job, industrial policy and the "global mega-trends" the EU should lead heading into the next decade.
Brussels unlikely to appeal EU court decision hampering Nord Stream pipelines
The EU executive is unlikely to appeal a decision of the EU General Court in Luxembourg on Tuesday (10 September) to restrict the transit of Russian gas via the Opal pipeline, running on German territory.
‘Green Deal’ supporters resist idea of splitting energy and climate portfolio
The incoming President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is preparing a ‘Green Deal’ team that may be led by Vice-President Frans Timmermans. Whether the climate and energy briefs will be split or kept together remains to be seen, however.
Visegrad leaders claim victory in race for EU top jobs
The leaders of the Visegrad Four – Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia – were jubilant back home after they successfully blocked their arch-enemy Frans Timmermans from winning the European Commission presidency.
Vestager will stay in Brussels, even without EU Commission presidency
Danish EU Commissioner Margrethe Vestager will stay in Brussels for a second term, the Scandinavian nation’s new prime minister announced yesterday (26 June), even if she fails in her bid to become the next President of the European Commission.
EU, Russia confident about Ukraine gas transit deal, despite tense talks
Russia and the EU on Thursday (13 June) expressed hope that a solution could be found to allow gas supply transits through Ukraine to continue from next year.
Europe’s first mega battery factory gets EIB blessing
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is on the verge of granting €350 million to a Swedish company for what will be Europe’s first mega-sized battery factory, the EU lender announced on Thursday (16 May).
EU industrial policy under the spotlight as elections loom
As the EU gears up for a big refresh after May’s elections, there is growing consent among business leaders that incoming policymakers should refocus attention and resources on industrial policy, particularly in the continent's most valuable sectors.
EU looks into ‘Airbus-style’ Franco-German battery plans
France and Germany launched an Airbus-style €6 billion foray into the battery-building business on Thursday (2 May), as the EU's attempts to corner a slice of a growing global market started to pay off.