Latest news with #BartMeijer
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
EU lawmakers back huge tariffs for Russia, Belarus fertiliser
Tariffs for certain nitrogen-based fertilisers will rise over three years from 6.5% to an amount equivalent to about 100%, a level that would effectively halt trade. For the farm produce, an additional 50% duty will apply. The tariff hikes are expected to take effect on July 1. More than 70% of EU fertiliser consumption in 2023 was of the nitrogen-based product targeted, and Russia accounted for 25% of EU imports, worth about 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion). Russian and Belarus grain was already hit with prohibitive tariffs last year. The new tariffs apply to the 15% of agriculture imports from Russia not previously subject to duties, worth 380 million euros. This includes meat, dairy produce, fruit and vegetables The European Commission said these imports, particularly of fertilisers, made the EU vulnerable to potential coercive actions by Russia that could threaten EU food security. EU imports from Belarus were more limited at 92 million euros for farm produce and 30 million euros for fertilisers in 2023. The European Commission has said the tariffs will help support domestic production and allow for diversification of supply from elsewhere. The change to a higher fertiliser tariff includes potential mitigation measures if EU farmers see substantial price increases. The levies will not affect transit of Russian agricultural and fertiliser exports to third countries. The EU has so far avoided imposing sanctions on them so as not to disturb global supplies, particularly to developing countries. The European Parliament approved the hikes by 411 votes to 100, with 78 abstentions. ($1 = 0.8835 euros) (Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Bart Meijer)
The Star
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
EU countries agree on big defence fund, diplomat says
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -EU countries have in principle agreed on the proposals for a 150 billion euro ($168.3 billion) fund aimed at boosting Europe's defence, known as Security Action for Europe (SAFE), an EU diplomat said on Monday. The plan, proposed by the European Commission in March, will be financed through joint borrowing and give loans to EU members and certain other countries such as Ukraine for projects that bolster their defences and boost Europe's arms industry. ($1 = 0.8913 euros) (Reporting by Jan Strupczewski and Bart Meijer;Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
RNZ News
29-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Israel's Gaza aid blockade contested in World Court hearings
A demonstrator stands beside a placard outside the International Court of Justice as an interrogation on Israel's humanitarian obligations towards Palestinians takes place at the International Court of Justice, in The Hague on April 28, 2025. Photo: LINA SELG By Bart Meijer , Reuters UN and Palestinian representatives at the International Court of Justice accused Israel of breaking international law by refusing to let aid into Gaza , on the first day of hearings about Israel's obligations to facilitate aid deliveries. Since 2 March, Israel has completely cut off all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, and food stockpiled during a ceasefire at the start of the year has all but run out. At the opening of the hearings at the UN's top court, the UN's legal counsel said Israel had a clear obligation as an occupying force to allow and facilitate humanitarian aid for the people in Gaza. "In the specific context of the current situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories, these obligations entail allowing all relevant UN entities to carry out activities for the benefit of the local population," Elinor Hammarskjold said. Palestinian representative Ammar Hijazi said Israel was using humanitarian aid as "a weapon of war", while people in Gaza were facing starvation. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel had submitted its position in writing to the hearings, which he described as a "circus". Speaking in Jerusalem on Monday, Saar said the court was being politicised, while the UN was failing to root out employees of its Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA who are members of Gaza militant groups. "They are abusing the court once again to try and force Israel to cooperate with an organisation that is infested with Hamas terrorists," Saar said. "The goal is to deprive Israel of its most basic right to defend itself." The UN said in August that nine UNRWA staff may have been involved in Hamas' 7 October, 2023 assault and had been fired. Another Hamas commander, confirmed by UNRWA as one of its employees, was killed in Gaza in October, according to Israel. The ICJ, also known as the World Court, was tasked in December to form an advisory opinion on Israel's obligations to facilitate aid to Palestinians that is delivered by states and international groups, including the United Nations. Israel has repeatedly said it would not allow the entry of goods and supplies into Gaza until Hamas releases all remaining hostages. It has accused Hamas of hijacking humanitarian aid, which the militant group denies. "This case is about Israel destroying the fundamentals of life in Palestine, while it blocks the UN and other providers of humanitarian aid from providing life-saving aid to the population," Hijazi, the head of the Palestinian mission to the Netherlands, told the hearing. US President Donald Trump on Friday said he had pushed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow food and medicine into Gaza. Germany, France and Britain last week called to allow the unhindered passage of humanitarian aid into the besieged Palestinian territory. Advisory opinions of the ICJ carry legal and political weight, although they are not binding and the court has no enforcement powers. After the hearings, the World Court will likely take several months to form its opinion. - Reuters
Zawya
12-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
EU launches new round of joint gas buying
The European Commission on Wednesday launched a new round of joint gas buying, seeking demand from buyers for the next five years to help Europe replace Russian fuel. The EU launched a joint gas buying platform in 2023 to try to hand participants more leverage to achieve better deals after Russia slashed gas deliveries to Europe in 2022, driving European energy prices to record highs. (Reporting by Bart Meijer, Editing by Louise Heavens)
