Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer plans to organize a summit with car manufacturers to talk about e-fuels. Several member states call for urgent reforms of the Common European Asylum System. French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are expected to travel to China together.
International support is gradually arriving in Turkey and Syria, but many earthquake victims are still waiting for the help they need; an EU donor conference is planned for March. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s new foreign minister, Elmedin Konaković, paid an official visit to Brussels. Migration into the EU: The Slovak Republic and others stressed the necessity of strict protection of the external borders. Bulgaria and Romania insist they have fulfilled the conditions to be accepted into Schengen.
The European Parliament voted in favor of lifting the immunity of MEPs Marc Tarabella and Andrea Cozzolino. While some political groups in the Parliament demand EU funding for fences along the Bulgarian-Turkish border, others reject this. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen unveils details regarding the Green Deal Industrial Plan.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz does not wish to engage in a debate about sending fighter jets to Ukraine. According to analysts, the newly elected President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel promotes close ties with the EU and wants to help Ukraine repel Russia’s invasion. Following German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock’s controversial statement regarding the war in Ukraine, the German Federal Government clarifies that the country is no party to the conflict.
EU Commissioner Ylva Johansson discarded Austria’s request for EU funds for the extension of the fence along the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The European Commission preliminarily approved German plans to introduce livestock farming labels for meat in supermarkets. Iran sanctioned EU and UK officials and entities, in response to sanctions imposed by the latter on Monday.