Monday

2nd Oct 2023

Agenda

Post-Brexit and Nato drama This WEEK

  • Hungary's parliament is expected to debate Finland and Sweden joining Nato (Photo: John6536)
Listen to article

Will he or won't he? It still remains to be seen if British prime minister Rishi Sunak is willing to push through his own party, or with the help of their opposition, his post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

There was lot of expectation which Sunak built up, partly himself, but we are still waiting for the last twist.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

At the end of last week, former prime minister Boris Johnson piled some more pressure on Sunak, suggesting he should go ahead with the Northern Ireland bill that would unilaterally overwrite the existing trade rules with the EU.

Further Brexit drama is expected this week.

Another drama is unfolding between Sweden and Finland, which hope to join Nato after Russia attacked Ukraine, and Hungary and Turkey, which have so far held off their ratification.

Last Friday, prime minister Viktor Orbán told public radio in his characteristically plain language why he's foot-dragging: Swedish and Finnish criticism of Hungary's democracy and rule of law.

Helsinki and Stockholm have been indeed some of the toughest critics of the Orbán-led democratic backsliding. While Orbán said Hungary should give the green-light to admitting them to the military alliance, he made it clear: "If they expect us to be fair, they should be fair to Hungary as well".

Hungary's parliament, where Orbán's Fidesz has a two-thirds majority, will discuss the issue on Wednesday (1 March), but the actual vote is expected to happen only the week after.

Crafting deals

Meanwhile, in Brussels, the legislative wheels keep on turning.

On Tuesday (28 February), MEPs on the legal affairs committee are set to vote on a scheme that will ensure the geographical indication of locally produced crafts is protected.

The new law aims to safeguard traditional goods such as natural stones, jewellery, textiles, lace, cutlery, glass and porcelain in the EU and internationally.

On Tuesday, the Pegasus inquiry committee investigating the use of the spyware by EU countries illegally are expected to hear from Konstantinos Menoudakos, president of the Greek data protection authority and Christos Rammos, of the Greek authority for communication security and privacy in relation with the surveillance scandal in the country.

MEPs on the environment committee on Wednesday are expected to adopt their position on draft legislation aiming to further reduce the use of fluorinated greenhouse gas. These human-made chemicals are used in common appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioning, heat pumps, fire protection, foams and aerosols.

On the same day, the women's rights committee is set to hold a meeting with national parliamentarians and experts from EU countries to discuss the energy crisis and its effects on women in the run-up to this year's Women's Day.

Still on Wednesday, the parliament's development committee is expected to debate the EU's response to the humanitarian situation in Turkey and Syria after the devastating earthquakes.

China trade tension and migration deal This WEEK

An EU-China high-level economic is scheduled on Monday amid renewed tensions. Later this week, EU home affairs ministers will discuss the EU-Tunisia deal and the state of play of the EU pact on asylum and migration.

Spain's EU-language bid and UN summit This WEEK

While the heads of EU institutions are in New York for the UN high level meeting, Spain's EU presidency will try to convince ministers to make Catalan, Basque, and Galician official EU languages.

Opinion

Punish Belarus too for aiding Putin's Ukraine war

While Belarus has not sent its own troops to fight Russia's war in Ukraine, the Minsk dictatorship has been heavily involved. As a result, Belarus must be punished for its involvement — what can the world do to sanction Belarus?

Latest News

  1. EU women promised new dawn under anti-violence pact
  2. Three steps EU can take to halt Azerbaijan's mafia-style bullying
  3. Punish Belarus too for aiding Putin's Ukraine war
  4. Added-value for Russia diamond ban, as G7 and EU prepare sanctions
  5. EU states to agree on asylum crisis bill, say EU officials
  6. Poland's culture of fear after three years of abortion 'ban'
  7. Time for a reset: EU regional funding needs overhauling
  8. Germany tightens police checks on Czech and Polish border

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersThe Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
  2. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators, industry & healthcare experts at the 24th IMDRF session, September 25-26, Berlin. Register by 20 Sept to join in person or online.
  3. UNOPSUNOPS begins works under EU-funded project to repair schools in Ukraine
  4. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsGeorgia effectively prevents sanctions evasion against Russia – confirm EU, UK, USA
  5. International Medical Devices Regulators Forum (IMDRF)Join regulators & industry experts at the 24th IMDRF session- Berlin September 25-26. Register early for discounted hotel rates
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersGlobal interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of Ministers20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations
  2. International Sustainable Finance CentreJoin CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
  3. ICLEISeven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
  4. World BankWorld Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
  5. Nordic Council of MinistersNordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
  6. Nordic Council of MinistersThink-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us