Contents tagged with EU
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EC wants access to Gazprom's contracts with European companies
In an effort to enhance cooperation on the energy market, the European Commission (EC) is seeking to study the contracts between Russia and European companies with regard to gas supplies. In the future, contracts longer than one year should be automatically disclosed to the EC if they are critical for ensuring gas supply to the European Union (EU).
This legislative initiative was proposed by officials in Brussels on the 16th of February. The European Energy Commissioner, Miguel Arias …
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EU lifts most sanctions against Belarus
The European Union (EU) has finally lifted the sanctions against 170 citizens of Belarus, as well as three Belarusian companies. The decision was adopted by the Foreign Ministers of 28 countries at a scheduled meeting of the EU Council. This was reported by the Brussels correspondent of Radio Liberty, Rikard Jozwiak, via Twitter.
"The Foreign Ministers of the EU have decided to exclude 170 people and three Belarusian companies from the sanctions list. The embargo on arms supplies still …
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Jaresko: Ukraine may receive 600 million Euros from the EU
The Finance Minister of Ukraine, Natalie Jaresko, has met with the Head of the EU delegation in Ukraine, Jan Tombinski, to discuss conditions for Ukraine to obtain €600 million of financial support. This was reported by Jaresko herself.
“On Friday, I met with the Head of the EU delegation in Ukraine, Jan Tombinski. We discussed the necessary steps to allow Ukraine to receive €600 million as the second tranche under the third program of financial support of Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) of …
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Europe Plans to Close its Market to Russian Metal Imports
The European Commission plans to introduce anti-dumping duties on cold-rolled flat metal products from China and Russia, as reported by Reuters on January 28th, citing sources familiar with the plans of the commission.
Officially, the introduction of the new policy will be announced on February 14th, and will be finalized on August 12th, provided the anti-dumping investigation confirms the underpricing accusations, according to the website of the European Commission. Usually, anti-dumping …
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Europe Will Not Consider Lifting Sanctions Until Russia Fully Complies With Minsk Agreements
The issue of lifting the sanctions against Russia will be not considered by the European Union until Russia has fully complied with the Minsk Agreements. The Head of Unit for the Eastern Partnership of the Foreign Service of the European Union, Dirk Schuebel, made this statement in the European Parliament.
The European diplomat recalled that the EU extended economic sanctions for six months, until July 31st. He clearly stated that the sanctions will be extended until the Minsk Agreements are …
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Construction of the South Stream Pipeline Postponed
The construction of the South Stream Pipeline remains suspended, as reported by Bulgarian National Radio based on Russian sources. Earlier the Standard, a Bulgarian newspaper, stated that the construction of the South Stream Pipeline may resume in the next few weeks. They reported that their sources stated that the delay is due to the deterioration of Russian-Turkish relations and the refusal of the Turkish Stream project which was discussed as an alternative to the South Stream.
On Monday, a …
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Juncker: Dutch vote on Ukraine could lead to crisis
A negative result on the referendum in the Netherlands regarding the Association Agreement with Ukraine could trigger a continental crisis, stated Jean Claude Juncker, President for the European Commission, in an interview with NRC Handelsblad on Saturday, January 9th.
“A ‘no’ answer in the Dutch non-binding vote may spark a continental crisis," he noted. "Let's not change the referendum into a vote about Europe," Juncker emphasized. "I sincerely hope that the Dutch won't vote no for reasons …
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EU will consider implementing visa free regime with Ukraine in the spring
The EU Foreign Ministers will consider opening a visa-free regime for Ukrainians in March or June. Olena Zerkal, the Ukrainian Minister for the European Foreign Affairs Council told TV Channel 5, that the process will depend on how quickly the necessary reforms can be implemented.
"It depends on how quickly we will be able to convince the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council that we have fulfilled all the requirements and are continuing to improve legislation,” she said.
Ukraine has …
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No delay in the introduction of EU-Ukraine free trade zone
Despite the opposition of Moscow, an agreement on a free trade zone between the EU and Ukraine will begin effective January 1st. The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, ended the delays that were hindering the Free Trade Area (FTA) agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. The EU President stated this during a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday, December 16th.
“A comprehensive Free Trade Area between Ukraine and the EU will become enforced as of January 1 …
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Poroshenko: More evidence that Russia violated Minsk Agreements
During his trip to Brussels, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said there is mounting evidence that Russia has violated the Minsk Agreements.
"Regarding the discussion between members of the EU about extending the sanctions against Russia, I brought even more evidence of Russia's failure to comply with the Minsk Agreements; the supply of arms, and the sending of troops to the territory of Ukrainian”, Poroshenko said.
Poroshenko is in the midst of his two day trip to the Belgian capital. …