European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi has announced a new plan for economic growth in the Western Balkans. Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel will travel to Washington to discuss issues including import tariffs, climate change and Russia’s war on Ukraine. The European Commission says there have been fewer illegal crossings at the Austrian-Slovenian border.
The European Commission proposes that EU countries extend the licence for the herbicide ingredient glyphosate by ten years. Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, is named as a 2028 European Capital of Culture. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier calls for a European solution to migration problems.
The German government has suspended an agreement with Italy to voluntarily take in refugees due to Italy’s refusal to respect the Dublin rules. In other news: Slovenia and Luxembourg pledge for equal treatment of all EU candidates and the preservation of Schengen. Slovak and Hungarian police are combating illegal migration together.
In the run-up to the 2024 EU elections, the European Parliament seeks to increase its number of seats. The European Ombudsman wants to investigate Frontex’s role in a deadly shipwreck off the coast of Greece. France and Austria want to prepare the European Union for the accession of new members.
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg urges EU candidate North Macedonia to accept constitutional changes in order to advance its EU accession process. The government of Morocco seeks a partnership with the EU in the fisheries sector. The European Parliament criticises Austria for vetoing the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria.