Latest news with #AntonioCosta
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Japan, EU to form competitveness alliance to strenghthen trade ties
BRUSSELS: Japan and the European Union are set to launch a "Competitiveness Alliance" aimed at boosting corporate resilience and deepening trade and economic security cooperation, Kyodo news agency quoted diplomatic sources on Saturday. The initiative is expected to be announced at a summit in July, which will likely see Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba host European Council President, Antonio Costa and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. The new framework aims to reinforce efforts by both parties to uphold a rules-based economic order. It will build on the existing Japan-EU free trade agreement, which eliminates tariffs and other trade barriers between the two economies that together represent 20 per cent of global gross domestic product. Under the alliance, Japan and the EU will work together to diversify supply chains for rare earth minerals, amid growing concern over China's export restrictions on these critical resources used in smartphones and high-tech manufacturing. The framework also includes plans to align subsidy policies for green technologies, including electric vehicles and hydrogen production, to reduce development costs and ensure fair competition for manufacturers on both sides. On the global trade front, the alliance will support reforms at the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which many view as weakened in addressing Chinese trade practices and broader systemic issues. Japan and the EU will also seek stronger engagement with emerging economies of the Global South, promoting shared values such as free and fair trade, and adherence to the rule of law. The EU, meanwhile, is exploring closer cooperation with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which includes Japan, the United Kingdom, and 10 other countries. Some EU members have called for deeper collaboration in setting rules on digital trade and climate-related business practices.
The Star
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Star
Japan, EU to form Competitiveness Alliance to strengthen trade ties
A 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicle (EV) during a Great American Road Trip Expo hosted by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Japan and the EU plan to align subsidy policies for green technologies, including electric vehicles and hydrogen production. -Bloomberg BRUSSELS: Japan and the European Union are set to launch a "Competitiveness Alliance" aimed at boosting corporate resilience and deepening trade and economic security cooperation, Kyodo news agency quoted diplomatic sources on Saturday (June 7). The initiative is expected to be announced at a summit in July, which will likely see Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba host European Council President, Antonio Costa and European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. The new framework aims to reinforce efforts by both parties to uphold a rules-based economic order. It will build on the existing Japan-EU free trade agreement, which eliminates tariffs and other trade barriers between the two economies that together represent 20 per cent of global gross domestic product. Under the alliance, Japan and the EU will work together to diversify supply chains for rare earth minerals, amid growing concern over China's export restrictions on these critical resources used in smartphones and high-tech manufacturing. The framework also includes plans to align subsidy policies for green technologies, including electric vehicles and hydrogen production, to reduce development costs and ensure fair competition for manufacturers on both sides. On the global trade front, the alliance will support reforms at the World Trade Organisation, which many view as weakened in addressing Chinese trade practices and broader systemic issues. Japan and the EU will also seek stronger engagement with emerging economies of the Global South, promoting shared values such as free and fair trade, and adherence to the rule of law. The EU, meanwhile, is exploring closer cooperation with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which includes Japan, the United Kingdom, and 10 other countries. Some EU members have called for deeper collaboration in setting rules on digital trade and climate-related business practices. - Bernama-Kyodo
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
ICC gives victims of the gravest crimes a voice, EU leader says
BRUSSELS: The EU has given its backing to the International Criminal Court after Washington imposed sanctions on four ICC judges, and EU member Slovenia said it would push Brussels to use its power to ensure the US sanctions could not be enforced in Europe. 'The ICC holds perpetrators of the world's gravest crimes to account and gives victims a voice. It must be free to act without pressure,' European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said on the social media platform X. Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, which represents national governments of the 27 member states, called the court 'a cornerstone of international justice' and said its independence and integrity must be protected. The International Criminal Court must be free to act without pressure. Ursula Von der Leyen, European Commission president The US imposed sanctions on four judges at the ICC in retaliation for the war tribunal's issuance of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a past decision to open a case into alleged war crimes by US troops in Afghanistan. The initial US order names Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda, Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza of Peru, Reine Adelaide Sophie Alapini Gansou of Benin, and Beti Hohler of Slovenia. The US sanctions mean the judges are now on a list of specially designated sanctioned individuals. Any US assets they have will be blocked, and they are put on an automated screening service used by not only American banks but many banks worldwide, making it very difficult for sanctioned persons to hold or open bank accounts or transfer money. The initial order announcing sanctions on the ICC also said that US citizens who provide services for the benefit of sanctioned individuals could face civil and criminal penalties. Slovenia urged the EU to use its blocking statute, which lets the EU ban European companies from complying with US sanctions that Brussels deems unlawful. 'Due to the inclusion of a citizen of an EU member state on the sanctions list, Slovenia will propose the immediate activation of the blocking act,' Slovenia's Foreign Ministry said in a post on the social media site X. ICC president Judge Tomoko Akane had urged the EU already in March this year to bring the ICC into the scope of the blocking statute. The new sanctions have been imposed at a difficult time for the ICC, which is already reeling from earlier US sanctions against its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, who last month stepped aside temporarily amid a UN investigation into alleged sexual misconduct. The court's governing body, representing 125 member states, condemned the US government's decision to retaliate against judges. 'These ... are regrettable attempts to impede the court and its personnel in the exercise of their independent judicial functions,' the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties said.
Saba Yemen
3 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
EU discusses considering imposing partial sanctions on Israel
Brussels-Saba: European Council President Antonio Costa has confirmed that the European Commission is preparing a legal report for action against Israel, which is expected to be presented to the Council of Foreign Ministers on June 23. Press sources reported that this anticipated report could open the door to imposing partial sanctions against Israel without the need for a unanimous vote of all members, if it is determined that Israel is not fulfilling its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the Association Agreement with the EU. Referring to the content of the anticipated report, Costa said in a press statement, "The situation in Gaza is absolutely unacceptable, and when you watch your channels and read your newspapers, I think the conclusion you will reach is clear." It is noteworthy that 17 of the 27 countries requested this legal assessment, while nine countries opposed it. Article 2 of the agreement provides a legal framework for the special relationship between Israel and the European Union in several areas, including trade. Although completely canceling the Association Agreement requires the unanimity of member states, which some countries are expected to oppose, the EU is considering partial steps that could reduce the agreement without requiring unanimity, requiring only a special majority. Four European diplomats told Politico that pressure is mounting on the European Commission to submit practical proposals to downgrade relations with Israel if it is proven to be violating the human rights clause in the agreement. Two weeks ago, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called for a review of the agreement, and previous reports indicated that France, Britain, the Netherlands, and Belgium were exploring the possibility of recognizing a Palestinian state. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
The Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
EU mulls action against Israel over Gaza human rights violations
BRUSSELS: European Council President Antonio Costa said that the European Commission is preparing a legal report for action against Israel, which is expected to be presented to the Council of EU Foreign Ministers on June 23. The Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA), in its report citing press sources, said the anticipated report could open the door to imposing partial sanctions against Israel without the need for unanimity among all member states, if it is determined that Israel is not fulfilling its human rights obligations under Article 2 of the Association Agreement with the EU. Costa said in a press statement, referring to the content of the anticipated report: 'The situation in Gaza is absolutely unacceptable, and when you watch your channels and read your newspapers, I think the conclusion you will reach is clear.' It is noteworthy that 17 of the 27 countries requested this legal assessment, while nine countries opposed it. Article 2 of the agreement provides a legal framework for the special relationship between Israel and the European Union in several areas, including trade. Although completely cancelling the Association Agreement requires the unanimous consent of member states, which some countries are expected to oppose, the EU is considering partial steps that could reduce the agreement without requiring unanimity, instead requiring only a special majority. Four European diplomats told Politico that pressure is mounting on the European Commission to submit practical proposals to downgrade relations with Israel if it is proven to be violating the human rights clause in the agreement. Two weeks ago, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for a review of the agreement, and previous reports indicated that France, Britain, the Netherlands, and Belgium were exploring the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state.
