Latest news with #CharlesMichel
Euractiv
13 hours ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Charles Michel asks: ‘Where's the EU's China policy?'
The EU is once again waiting for Donald Trump to say yes or no, after it emerged from a top-secret meeting yesterday that the EU could accept a deal that would slap 15% tariffs on its exports to America and keep 50% on European steel but bag some other sectoral concessions. Emmanuel Macron and Friedrich Merz discussed trade last night in Germany, with Merz hinting a deal was in the offing. He also threatened to use the EU's 'trade bazooka' against the US if things really get nasty. Keep in mind that just a few weeks ago the conventional wisdom in the EU quarter was that Brussels could match the 10% deal Trump granted the UK. Three EU diplomats told us a deal similar to the one Trump struck with Japan this week is currently on the table, minus the rice. The Commission, ever bluffing, claims to be arming its untouched arsenal of countermeasures, and countries will today vote to merge them into a single €93 billion package. The goal is to convince Trump not to impose a 30% tariff on the EU by 1 August. Welcome to today's newsletter by Eddy Wax, with Nicoletta Ionta and our Euractiv team. You can email me feedback and tips. Were you forwarded this newsletter by a friend? Sign up here. In this edition: Charles Michel talks China A Ukraine MP hits back at Brussels' corruption warnings Scoop: Commission revives equality law Ambassadors land in Greenland In the capital An EU-China summit – originally supposed to have taken place in Brussels – kicks off in Beijing today, with the EU trio of Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa and Kaja Kallas representing the bloc. But don't hold your breath for any major outcomes or bold declarations on the sanctity of human rights. The EU's catch-all description of its relationship with China as a 'partner, competitor and systemic rival,' is a perfect illustration of its paralysis vis-à-vis the Asian juggernaut. The summit will produce no joint statement. I spoke to former European Council President Charles Michel – now teaching at the China Europe International Business School – to ask his views on EU-China relations. 'It's not easy but we should try to be more precise in our demands towards China,' he said. 'When we say we want to rebalance the economic relationship, for instance, and to diversify our supply chains, we are right to express that wish – but we should be more precise". "We need an in-depth political debate to clarify and to unite the European position on China,' he told me over the phone. The former EU leader said that the lack of a joint statement from today's summit was a sign that the EU needs to work harder to forge a common stance. 'For China it's also a clear message of strength when we are able to be united. If there is no intention to have a statement it could be seen as a weakness and this is regrettable". EU countries were desperately at odds last year over a Commission move to put tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The Baltic states and Poland are angered by China's support for Russia, Spain is freaked about tariffs on its gigantic pork sector, Czechia is concerned about cyberattacks, France worries about China retaliating on its spirits industry, and Germany just wants to keep selling cars, and exporting them from China. "I'm not certain there is a European Union position on China,' Michel said. The only deliverable could be a joint statement on climate cooperation ahead of COP30 in Brazil later this year, which EU officials say will include further pledges on emission cuts. Add to that, the EU itself is under massive pressure from the White House to follow its hawkish line on China, and von der Leyen, in the space of 2025, has flip-flopped in her messaging, from calling on the EU to 'seize the opportunity to engage' to accusing China of 'blackmail'. "We should not accept that our relationship with China, or another country across the world, is influenced ... by other international players,' he said. The former Belgian PM raised human rights on his 2022 trip to China to meet Xi Jinping. He reflected on how he brought up the topic of the Uyghurs, widely reported to be facing mass abuses in prison camps. 'It's important to do it in a way that does not lead to makes it impossible to discuss the other important points,' he said. "We have to find the right balance between promoting our values and defending our interests". On Tuesday a Commission spokesperson rattled off all the areas of discussion for the summit – investment, trade, critical raw materials, climate – and didn't mention human rights. When asked if they would bring it up, the spokesman replied: 'I have no further elements to share at this stage". Zelenskyy's U-turn Ukraine's president has – at least on paper – relented on his crackdown on the country's anti-corruption bodies, saying last night that he will submit a new bill to the Rada to restore confidence in the rule of law. 'All the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place,' he said. It comes after two days of street protests in Kyiv and criticism from many EU figures. Von der Leyen spoke directly to Zelenskyy. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and commissioners Michael McGrath, Marta Kos and Andrius Kubilius warned that bringing graft-busting under a prosecutor the Ukrainian president appointed would damage his country's aspirations to join the EU. The 'Merzcron' duo agreed last night to hold "intensive talks' with Zelenskyy on fighting corruption. Dmytro Natalukha, a Ukrainian MP from Zelenskyy's party who chairs the Rada's Economic Affairs Committee, told Euractiv the whole thing was 'a bit over-dramatised' and 'has nothing to do with authoritarianism'. Asked why the EU has been so critical, he suggested the flap would give Brussels an excuse not to seize the Russian assets it has frozen. 'It's a power-play. Unfortunately, it's always about politics in the end,' he told my colleague Thomas Møller-Nielsen. Reality-check: Ukraine has longstanding problems with corruption, and both Europe and the US have been complaining about the situation for years. Niclas Herbst, a German MEP who chairs the EU Parliament's anti-fraud committee and visited Kyiv this week, told me that he thought the EU's political failure to advance Ukraine's bid to join the bloc was a contributing factor. 'Progress has been made,' said the MEP. 'This picture now is being destroyed by this coup-like way of having the new legislation.' He warned that the far-right in Europe is seizing on the "Ukraine is corrupt" narrative. SCOOP: Commission revives Equal Treatment Directive Months after it was nearly scrapped, an EU bill to harmonise national anti-discrimination laws is alive and kicking again. 'The Commission has decided to give the Equal Treatment Directive another go and push negotiations forward,' a Commission spokesperson told my colleague Magnus Lund Nielsen. The U-turn comes after the Parliament and 14 countries protested a move to withdraw it. It has been stuck for a whopping 17 years. The directive aims to harmonise anti-discrimination laws on religion, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Denmark plans to push for renewed talks ahead of a December Council meeting even though Germany, Czechia and Italy remain holdouts. Ambassadors brace for frosty reception in Greenland Member states' top diplomats in Brussels embark on a four-day trip to Greenland today, led by the Danish presidency. The trip is a thinly-veiled publicity stunt to remind the Danes' European colleagues that they own the world's biggest island – at least for the time being. Greenland's former premier, Aleqa Hammond, once ousted after misusing public funds, has made an unlikely comeback as the leader of social-democratic Siumut party. Having been a part of ruling coalitions for 41 out of the 46 years since Greenland obtained greater autonomy from Denmark in 1979, Siumut are part of the sitting pro-European coalition. Hammond is tired of Danish and European officials showing up in her country and treating it as a photo-op. Most recently, Emmanuel Macron visited the capital Nuuk with Danish PM Mette Frederiksen. "It is as if the Greenlandic population is not present,' Hammond told Danish daily Politiken. 'Greenland is not something to be managed by others,' she said. 'It is time we take back control of the conversation." There is speculation she might pull her party out of the coalition government, which could spell trouble for the EU's ambition to tap into the island's vast natural resources. 'No other decision has been made,' she told local media KNR. "If Hammond pulls Siumut out of the coalition, the government might not collapse – but the foreign policy direction absolutely could,' said Rasmus Leander, professor of political science at University of Greenland. Around the bloc BERLIN | Germany has approved the sale of Eurofighter jets to Turkey, ending a long-standing veto that had stalled the deal. The move follows an agreement between Ankara and the UK and comes despite earlier human rights concerns and regional tensions with Greece. Read more. PARIS | General Fabien Mandon, currently President Emmanuel Macron's Chief of Staff, has been appointed Chief of the Defence Staff of the French Armed Forces, replacing General Thierry Burkhard, Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced on Wednesday. A career army officer, Burkhard served in the role for four years and oversaw France's military build-up following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Mandon is the first air force officer in 30 years to take on the top military role. ROME | Italy's Senate has unanimously passed a bill making the gender-motivated killing of women a separate crime, punishable by life in prison. Touted as Giorgia Meloni's most popular initiative, the bill now awaits final approval in the lower house. Read more. MADRID | Spain's Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an appeal by Santos Cerdán, a close ally of Pedro Sánchez who has become the focal point of a massive corruption investigation. Cerdán argued his detention posed no risk to the investigation, but the court said his release could undermine the probe due to his 'leadership role' in an alleged criminal network involving rigged tenders, embezzlement, and influence peddling. WARSAW | A prosecutor has charged far-right MEP Grzegorz Braun with seven offences. These include the widely condemned incident in December 2023, when he extinguished Hanukkah candles in the Polish parliament. On 17 July, Prosecutor General Adam Bodnar submitted a request to waive Braun's parliamentary immunity in the European Parliament. BUCHAREST | After years of friction over minority rights in Transylvania, Hungarian and Romanian leaders met in Bucharest for informal talks. Initiated by Orbán, the meeting could signal a shift toward improved dialogue and regional stability. Read more. Also on Euractiv Von der Leyen broke staff appointment rules, EU court rules The decision is adding scrutiny to von der Leyen's management style and the outsized role of her inner circle, particularly her head of cabinet Björn Seibert The EU's second-highest court ruled on Wednesday that the European Commission breached its own rules in staff appointments, marking a legal setback for Ursula von der Leyen and her powerful right-hand man, Björn Seibert, as Elisa Braun reports. EU countries are tightening rules to limit kids' access to social media, with new guidelines from Brussels allowing stricter national regulations. France, Spain, Greece, and Ireland are leading the way with various approaches, including age verification systems, digital wallets, parental consent requirements, and even a potential ban on minors using social media. Read more. Sánchez stands alone as Europe toughens its migration discourse. Despite domestic pressure, Spain remains isolated in Brussels, favouring bilateral cooperation over large-scale deportations. The country's reluctance to align with EU hardliners is compounded by internal political divisions, with coalition partners holding opposing views, leaving Sánchez's government in a precarious position. Read more. Belgium's honeybee population has seen a sharp 22.5% decline over the winter, alarming scientists and beekeepers, yet the broader picture of pollinator health in Europe is more complex. While the EU has expressed concern, political action remains limited, though a proposal for a "hazardous to bees" pictogram on pesticides may soon move forward. Read more. Rising cases of mosquito-borne diseases in Europe are prompting renewed warnings from health experts. With warmer temperatures creating favourable conditions for mosquitoes, the spread of tropical diseases, particularly chikungunya, has been noted in countries like France and Italy. Global health experts are calling for urgent action. Read more. Agenda EU-China summit in Beijing with von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas Member states' permanent representatives to the EU visit Greenland French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius meet in Berlin Entre nous EPP lawmaker Dirk Gotink and ECR MEP Carlo Fidanza will lead a working group that will investigate alleged dodgy financing of NGOs, attached to the Parliament's budgetary control committee. Its work will start in earnest after the summer. Austria's former chancellor, Karl Nehammer is back, this time as EIB Vice-President, thanks to a nod from all 27 EU finance ministers. Contributors: Magnus Lund Nielsen, Thomas Møller-Nielsen, Nick Alipour, Alexandra Brzozowski, Catalina Mihai, Elisa Braun, Laurent Geslin, Alessia Peretti, Inés Fernández-Pontes, Aleksandra Krzysztoszek. Editors: Matthew Karnitschnig, Sofia Mandilara.
Euractiv
3 days ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Keeping EU Shipping Competitive in the Energy Transition
As the European Commission prepares its Maritime Industrial Strategy, the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) is calling for a balanced and forward-looking vision—one that enables a realistic energy transition while preserving the global competitiveness of the European shipping sector. At the heart of this Maritime Industrial Strategy, they argue, must be the shipping industry itself. Shipping is not merely a mode of transport. It is the strategic backbone of Europe's economy, powering industrial development, ensuring supply chain continuity, and enabling energy security. As the driving force behind Europe's broader maritime cluster, shipping sustains high-quality employment and drives innovation across shipyards, equipment manufacturers, technology providers, and service industries. Recognised in the Draghi Report as one of the ten critical sectors essential to restoring European competitiveness, maritime transport demands a policy framework that both defends the EU's strategic autonomy and keeps its trade routes open and resilient. At the European Shipping Summit in March 2025, during the UGS's special event, Charles Michel—President Emeritus of the European Council (2019–2024) and former Belgian Prime Minister—captured the sector's importance: 'Shipping is a key driver of Europe's competitiveness and economic strength, ensuring the seamless movement of goods that sustain industries and trade.' 'Decarbonisation must go hand in hand with competitiveness' In the face of mounting competition from Asia, the UGS emphasises the need to maintain the EU's existing maritime support framework which levels the playing field with third countries. During her keynote address at the opening of the 'European Shipping Summit 2025,' Melina Travlos, UGS President, said: 'It is necessary to establish and implement policies that ensure the safeguarding of European shipping's leading global position, acknowledging that competitiveness and sustainability are not opposing forces but parallel paths to be pursued together.' This imperative extends to EU climate regulation, which must be fully aligned with global measures under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Upon IMO's adoption of a global fuel standard and carbon pricing mechanism (IMO Net-Zero Framework) the EU must harmonise its instruments, particularly the FuelEU Maritime Regulation and EU ETS, to avoid regulatory duplication, double payment, and distortions in the global market. Speaking at the Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit in Athens in June 2025—co-hosted by the Hellenic Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, the International Chamber of Shipping, and the UGS—Melina Travlos issued a clear message: 'Policymakers cannot regulate shipping without shipping,' she said, urging that regulation should foster innovation, support decarbonisation, and ensure fair competition, not stifle progress. Ms. Travlos called for maritime policy at every level—national, regional, and global—to be shaped with full respect for the industry's deep operational knowledge. 'Decarbonisation will not move beyond ambition without safe, scalable, and globally accessible alternative fuels' At the core of shipping's green transition lies one indispensable ingredient: alternative marine fuels. Yet the industry warns that progress will stall unless fuel suppliers are held accountable for providing safe, affordable, and compliant fuels at sufficient quantities. Instead of relying almost exclusively on shipowners, a self-defeating approach that only serves revenue-generating purposes, binding targets must also be set on fuel producers, together with meaningful incentives, to ensure adequate supply of alternative fuels at competitive prices. Funding remains a critical piece of the puzzle. Revenues from national, EU or international climate-related measures should be reinvested directly into maritime decarbonisation. Funding instruments must reflect real-world industry requirements and cater for the needs of all shipping sectors, including bulk/tramp shipping, which accounts for almost 85% of the global transport work. Priority should be given to bridge the significant price gap between traditional and alternative fuels. While the EU Innovation Fund has taken initial steps, its complexity and misaligned eligibility criteria with EU shipping realities, make it unsuitable for SMEs and the bulk/tramp sector. A redesign of the EU funding mechanisms is needed to serve this sector and its SMEs, too. 'Without access to competitive ship finance, there can be no fleet expansion and renewal, no innovation, and no decarbonisation' Access to finance is becoming increasingly out of reach for many shipowners, particularly SMEs that are practically excluded from capital markets. Reversing the decline in traditional bank lending is critical for the competitiveness of EU shipping. The UGS advocates for a revitalised ship finance ecosystem, with enhanced traditional ship financing tools, primarily bank lending, including potentially new financial instruments tailored to the specific needs of EU shipping SMEs. Equally, the EU Taxonomy must be adapted to support realistic decarbonisation pathways. Cargo-based restrictions—such as penalising ships capable of transporting fossil fuels, even when those vessels meet strict emissions criteria—are counterproductive and should be abolished to unlock critical green investments. The forthcoming EU Port Strategy and Sustainable Transport Investment Plan are seen as key opportunities to correct past oversights. Prioritising fuel availability, infrastructure, and enhanced access to ship financing will be vital. Integrating initiatives like Clean Energy Marine Hubs — a global public-private platform coordinating clean fuel production and distribution — will also be crucial, especially for the bulk/tramp sector, which, being itinerant in nature, needs access to alternative fuels worldwide. ''Training the workforce of the future'' No industrial strategy is complete without people. With hundreds of thousands of EU seafarers requiring upskilling in alternative fuels, digital tools, and modern safety systems, investing in training and employment is no longer optional—it is vital to the sector's long-term competitiveness, operational safety and a prerequisite for maintaining maritime know -how in the EU. 'Avoiding the pitfalls of protectionism' While strengthening European shipbuilding is a legitimate policy goal, stakeholders caution against protectionist measures disguised as industrial policy. Only voluntary, market-based incentives should be sought to attract investment and enhance Europe's competitive edge in this area. As the EU charts a course toward a green and competitive industrial future, the principles outlined in the Draghi Report offer a clear compass: embrace openness, uphold realism, and align ambition with global market realities. For Europe's maritime sector, these are not abstract ideals—they are the foundation of its survival and success.
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Doctors Without Borders slams EU's 'hypocrisy' over Gaza
GENEVA: Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Thursday sharply criticised the EU for its continued failure to act decisively to stop what the organisation calls "orchestrated ethnic cleansing" in Gaza, accusing the bloc of complicity in the face of deliberate mass suffering. According to Anadolu Ajansi (AA), in a post on X, the MSF said it had sent an open letter to EU leaders nearly a month earlier, on June 16, urging immediate action to stop the mass atrocities unfolding in the Palestinian enclave. "The EU can and must act now to stop mass atrocities in Gaza," it wrote. "Yet, amid EU member states' inaction, orchestrated ethnic cleansing in Gaza continues." MSF said more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the conflict, including 12 of its own staff members. It said the most recent MSF staffer was killed on July 3 while attempting to retrieve a bag of flour. "The human carnage and starvation of Palestinians in Gaza are deliberate. "Humanitarian aid is weaponised and blocked. "Healthcare services are targeted daily," the organisation said. MSF also condemned the EU Foreign Affairs Council's latest conclusions, adopted on Tuesday, calling them "yet another sign of the unwillingness to exert pressure on Israel to stop the genocide in Gaza." "Once again, the EU demonstrated hypocrisy and shocking double standards when it comes to protecting civilians and ensuring the respect of international humanitarian law," it said. Calling on the EU to "turn its words into actions and to end its double standards," MSF concluded by emphasising the legal and moral responsibilities of all states to stop the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. "Every state has a moral and legal responsibility to recognise and stop the ongoing atrocities in Gaza," it wrote. The letter was directed at top EU leadership, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. EU foreign ministers met on Monday and Tuesday to discuss growing concerns over Israel's attacks in Gaza, amid mounting civilian casualties and international calls for accountability. However, member states were unable to reach a consensus, resulting in no formal decision to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement or impose sanctions. – Bernama-Anadolu
Al Arabiya
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
EU chief von der Leyen survives no-confidence vote
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attends a press conference with Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and European Council President Charles Michel on the day of the informal meeting of European heads of state or government, in Granada, Spain October 6, 2023. (File Photo: Reuters)
The National
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Unicef head and former world leaders on judging panel for UAE humanitarian award
A senior UN official championing the rights of children across the globe and two former heads of state will help select the next winners of a major UAE humanitarian award. The $1 million Zayed Award for Human Fraternity – which celebrates the philanthropic legacy of UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan – shines a light on the efforts of organisations and people around the world seeking to effect change and improve lives. The award was launched on February 4, 2019, in recognition of a milestone meeting in Abu Dhabi between the late Pope Francis and Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Ahmed Al Tayeb. The expert judging panel for the seventh annual award in 2026 was unveiled on Monday and has been praised for representing the 'global mission of the award'. The six members of the 2026 jury are Catherine Russell, executive director of the UN children's fund (Unicef); Charles Michel, former president of the European Council and former prime minister of Belgium; Moussa Faki Mahamat, former chairman of the African Union Commission and former prime minister of Chad; Saida Mirziyoyeva, head of the administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan; Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education at the Holy See; and judge Mohamed Abdelsalam, secretary general of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 'This year's judging committee members hail from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas – and represent various fields including humanitarian aid to children, diplomacy, culture, education, media, and law,' said Mr Abdelsalam. 'This richly diverse jury of influential figures truly represents the global mission of the award, and we look forward to honouring individuals and entities who are serving humanity, reflecting the late Sheikh Zayed's legacy of humanitarianism rooted in extending support to all, without distinction.' The prize recognises the efforts of high-profile figures and grassroots campaigners alike, with previous winners including the late Pope Francis, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, as well as charitable foundations offering a helping hand to the needy from Haiti to Kenya and beyond. To date, 16 winners drawn from 15 countries have been honoured in the six-year history of the award. Nominations for this year's award are open until October 1. World Central Kitchen (WCK) was named among this year's winners of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity. The non-profit organisation was praised for its work in delivering food relief to communities suffering from humanitarian crises and natural disasters. The climate change champion and Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, and the 15-year-old 'health innovator' Heman Bekele are also previous winners of the award.
