The German Bundestag extends the country’s participation in a naval operation led by the EU in the Mediterranean Sea. Belgium demands clarification from the European Commission on its European nature restoration law, while Spain asks the Commission for aid in light of the country’s drought crisis.
Finance politicians from the German Green Party push for rapid reform of the EU’s fiscal rules on government deficits and debts. European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton visits a Bulgarian military-industrial complex in the context of Ukraine’s growing ammunition needs. The Slovak Republic increases its military representation to NATO and EU bodies.
European rules oblige member states to keep their budget deficit below 3 percent of GDP. However, there was an exemption in place during the pandemic, which expires at the end of 2023. The EU states want to provide Ukraine with urgently needed artillery ammunition for the fight against Russia as quickly as possible. Austria will participate in an EU mission in Niger.
EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell urges EU countries to deliver 1 billion euros worth of ammunition to Ukraine. Bosnia and Herzegovina officially started an EU test project for the introduction of new technologies in the electoral process. Germany’s minister for foreign affairs Annalena Baerbock envisions a transformation to feminist foreign policy in her country.
According to EC Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, Bulgaria could join the eurozone in 2025. Macedonians score above the European average in terms of their foreign language skills. Slovenia presents plans on cooperation in criminal law to its EU colleagues.