Have the article read by OpenAI (Beta). Please note that AI translations may take some time to process.Macron calls on Europe to issue new common debt again to invest in “priorities for the future”
Davos (AFP) – In Davos on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron called on Europeans to reissue common debt, as they did during the Covid-19 pandemic, to invest in “major priorities for the future.” He called for “enhanced cooperation” to deepen the union of capital markets.
The French President told the World Economic Forum that “we need more public investment in Europe (…) on major priorities for the future” and “perhaps by daring once again to issue ‘Eurobonds’.” He said that 2024, the year of the European elections, would be “key” for Europe.
“Alongside this, we also need to deepen the union of capital markets. We absolutely must have a much more integrated financial Europe,” Macron argued.
“If the 27 of us get bogged down, France will propose moving forward on enhanced cooperation on this issue, because we absolutely must move forward,” he announced.
In his view, “our continent has a lot of savings. But these savings are poorly allocated. They (…) don’t go to the right sectors.” (January 17)
Slovenia reluctant to strip Hungary of its voting rights
Ljubljana (STA) – Regarding the current calls for action by the European Parliament against Hungary’s rule of law deficiencies, Slovenia does not want to deprive any country of its rights. Still, at the same time, the EU could not be held hostage by one member, the office of Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob declared.
Golob’s office sees the danger of an escalating situation which would be a bad scenario for both the EU and Hungary. “We do not want to deprive any country of its rights, but at the same time, the entire EU cannot be held hostage by one member state, Hungary or any other. The best option is to talk and to find an agreement, but it is not the only option,” the office declared.
The Prime Minister’s office is convinced that since a possible compromise or “Plan B” was mentioned at the December summit, no radical steps will be needed to find a solution to help Ukraine, which Hungary currently blocks.
“We are confident that a solution to help Ukraine will be achieved,” the office says, pointing to the agreement of all member states for the period until the end of the current financial framework as the most effective and predictable solution for a timely delivery of financial assistance to Ukraine. The leaders will try to reach an agreement again at an extraordinary summit on February 1. (January 18)
EP to discuss farmers’ problems at Romanian MEP Daniel Buda’s request
Strasbourg (AGERPRES) – In Strasbourg on Wednesday, the European Parliament discussed the problems of farmers protesting in several European countries. The EP put the debate on the agenda at the request of the Vice-President of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), Daniel Buda, a Romanian MEP.
The politician told the Romanian press in Strasbourg that farmers needed EU subsidies, otherwise they would not be able to overcome challenges such as drought, inflation, floods and the war in Ukraine.
“I would like to believe that within a few months, the European Commission will be able to raise the necessary funds to support farmers, because by helping them we are supporting consumers, that is, all of us.”
Daniel Buda
After a debate on the farmers’ problems, the EP did not take a position on the issue, as there was not enough time to negotiate a common text. (updated version from January 15)
This is a compilation of the European coverage of enr news agencies. It is published on Fridays. The content is an editorial selection based on news by the respective agency.