The Czech and Austrian national rail operators ČD and ÖBB have “colluded to prevent a new entrant”, according to the European Commission who fined both companys a total of 48.7 million Euro in violation of competition rules.
A reformed migration and asylum pact was adopted earlier this year, after years of long and hard negotiations. Only a couple of months and elections later, the stance on migration in the EU has moved towards an even tougher approach – with calls for “new ways” to deal with illegal migration in the wake of a shift to the right across the continent.
On Sunday, tens of thousands of people demonstrated in various locations of the Georgian capital Tbilisi. Next Saturday crucial parliamentary elections will take place. Protestors demonstrated for closer ties with the EU.
At a European Council summit in Brussels on Thursday, migration dominated the discussions. EU leaders in a joint declaration stated that “new ways to prevent and counter irregular migration should be considered.” Ukrainian President Zelensky also met with leaders to present his vision for ending the war.
Wednesday marked the first ever summit between the European Union and the six Gulf states forming the Gulf Cooperation Council. Held in Brussels, the meeting focussed on energy, trade as well as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East.