EU warns concerning the Nord Stream leaks, Moscow denies suspicions. – Belgium and 14 other EU countries push for a proposal for a general gas price cap. What else was important this week: More than 77 percent of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) citizens want membership in the EU.
Europe reacts to the Italian election outcome. Amid the energy crisis, Germany is expected to receive its first shipment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United Arab Emirates by the end of 2022. Further news: The parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia continues discussions on the energy crisis and the EU works on joint handling of Russian fugitives.
Belgium’s Prime Minister has stressed the seriousness of the escalation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Brussels in favor of Slovenia’s candidacy for the UN Security Council. Moreover this week: European Commissioner sees lack of progress in solving Slovakia’s Roma issue. Bulgarian News Agency BTA becomes seat of the Association of Balkan News Agencies. German data retention overturned after ECJ ruling.
Brussels has proposed suspending the disbursement of 7, 5 billion euros to Hungary. The EU Commission wants a new media law: Slovenia welcomes the plan which would also have to be applied by candidate countries. Also: EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue their migration cooperation and Croatia obtained 8.13 billion euros in EU funds over the last nine years.
This week in Strasbourg, MEPs voted on plans to speed up the expansion of renewable energy and reduce energy consumption. In other news: While the migrant crisis in Bosnia is far from over, the number of illegal migrant arrivals decreased. Also: Brussels calls on Spain to end the blockade of its justice system.
While leaders of Western Balkan countries met in Slovenia to discuss progress on EU integration, Brussels is gearing up to support journalists with a new media freedom law. What also happened: EU finance ministers met in Prague to challenge the risk of a recession.