Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process.Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan (AFP) – The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, on June 2 called for a “sincere partnership” with the countries of Central Asia to strengthen the EU’s footprint in this region which is being ardently courted by major powers including China against the background of a weakening Russia.
“We can offer a sincere partnership” to the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia and the EU can “be a respectful partner who creates confidence”, Michel told AFP on the sidelines of the second “European Union-Central Asia” summit in Kyrgyzstan.
The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and a delegation from reclusive Turkmenistan attended the summit in the Kyrgyz city of Cholpon-Ata. Michel highlighted the possibilities of cooperation in the field of “climate technologies, energy issues, security, transport and tourism”. (June 2, 2023)
New Bulgarian government expected to start work within days
Sofia (BTA) – The two strongest blocs in the Bulgarian parliament, the centre-right GERB-SDS and the reformist “We continue the change – Democratic Bulgaria” (DPS), have agreed to form a coalition government with a rotating prime minister.
“I thank GERB-SDS, PP-DB and DPS for putting the interests of the citizens above the party interests and clearly stating the Euro-Atlantic orientation of the country”, said Maria Gabriel, who will be deputy prime minister for nine months and then head the government.
“It will be very difficult, but we are convinced that this step is useful for Bulgaria. If the changes we are embarking on go in the wrong direction, we will both resign”, added Prime Minister-designate Nikolay Denkov. The government is expected to be approved by an extraordinary session of the National Assembly on June 6. (June 2-5, 2023)
Albania and Hungary pledge stronger cooperation
Tirana (ATA) – Albanian President Bajram Begaj welcomed the president of Hungary, Katalin Novak, for a state visit on June 1. After the official welcome ceremony at the Presidency, the delegations held a meeting that focused on bilateral cooperation, the European integration process of Albania and other countries of the Western Balkans as well as on current developments in the region.
At a press conference, Begaj conveyed his regret to President Novak that Hungarian soldiers were injured by Serbian protester in northern Kosovo two days ago during the current tensions. Begaj appreciated the history of good relations between the two countries. He noted that Hungary has unconditionally supported the integration of Albania and other Western Balkan countries into the European Union.
Begaj underlined the geopolitical importance of the Western Balkans region, especially in the new geopolitical environment in which malicious actors were seeking its destabilisation. He focused on the importance of supporting the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue as well as supporting Pristina in its bid to join international organisations including the Council of Europe. Hungary is present in the region with investments, but also with political and technical support some of which is provided within the framework of cooperation with the Visegrad Group. (June 1, 2023)
Germany escapes fine as EU Commission ends water pollution proceedings
Brussels (dpa) – Germany has escaped an EU fine in a dispute over nitrate-polluted water. The EU Commission announced on June 1 that it had closed proceedings against the country. Rules introduced by the German federal and state governments now complied with EU law and addressed the need to tackle high nitrate levels in waters. Most of the nitrate comes from agricultural fertilisers. Excessive quantities of nitrate are harmful to the environment and pos risks to public health.
If Germany had been found guilty it would have faced a fine of at least 17.25 million euros and a penalty payment of up to 1.1 million euros per day, according to the German government. The exact amount of the penalty is determined by the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The daily penalty payment is aimed at increasing the pressure on a country to bring its rules into line with EU law quickly.
The dispute over fertiliser pollution had been going on for years. The ECJ had already found Germany guilty in 2018 of violating EU law by doing too little to combat high levels of nitrate in groundwater for years.
Nitrate is important for plant growth. But if too much fertiliser is used, residues accumulate in groundwater, streams, rivers and the sea. Stricter fertiliser regulations came into force in Germany in 2020 following tough negotiations. However, the EU Commission criticised them in mid-2021.
EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius had written to the German environment minister at the time, Svenja Schulze, and then-Farming Minister Julia Klöckner that the fertiliser regulations that came into force in 2020 might fall short of complying with the ECJ ruling. The criticisms voiced by the Commissioner included that areas in Germany with high nitrate pollution in the groundwater and harmful nutrient accumulation had not been correctly identified.
Now Germany appears to have done enough to satisfy the EU: measures include longer blocking periods during which fertiliser must not be used at all, a fertiliser ban for frozen soil and stricter rules for fertilising sloping areas, the Commission said, adding: “These rules will reduce the negative impact on soil and water resources.” (June 1, 2023)
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