Latest news with #EU-related
Budapest Times
15-04-2025
- Business
- Budapest Times
Hungary signs agreement with North Macedonia to promote Balkan country's EU integration
János Bóka met Orhan Murtezani, his North Macedonian counterpart and the two ministers held a joint press conference after the talks. Following talks in Skopje on Friday, János Bóka, European affairs minister, said Hungary has signed an agreement with North Macedonia to promote the Balkan country's European Union integration, the effective use of EU funding, as well as the exchange of experiences. Bóka met Orhan Murtezani, his North Macedonian counterpart and the two ministers held a joint press conference after the talks. Concerning bilateral ties, Bóka said that the two countries had a 'comprehensive and strong strategic partnership based on shared values and interests', adding that the cooperation covered EU-related areas such as North Macedonia's integration. Hungary's endeavors during its EU presidency last year contributed to the adoption of North Macedonia's reform plan, and it facilitated the first EU payments to that country, Bóka said, adding that Northern Macedonia could join the Single Euro Payments Area before the end of this year. Friday's agreement establishes an 'institutional and official' cooperation between the European affairs ministries of the two countries, Bóka said, adding that the accord would facilitate a structured cooperation in all areas of the EU's sectoral policies. Cooperation will include training courses and apprentice programmes for officials, government-level EU coordination, as well as the sharing of experiences and knowledge with special regard to the utilisation of community funding, Bóka said. Bóka invited his counterpart to visit Budapest and contribute to the next phase of the cooperation with a focus on elaborating working plans and identifying actual projects.
USA Today
03-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
White House labeled Taiwan a country when Trump announced tariffs. The issue? It isn't one
White House labeled Taiwan a country when Trump announced tariffs. The issue? It isn't one Listing Taiwan as a country on the tariff board is geopolitically awkward, because China's government claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan. China has urged Washington to reconsider. Show Caption Hide Caption 'Not the act of a friend': World leaders slam Trump global tariffs World leaders took aim at Donald Trump's 10% global tariff plan, saying the ones who will hurt are Americans. China has another reason to be annoyed at the United States. Taiwan appeared at the top of a cardboard sign held up by President Donald Trump during his tariff announcement ceremony. The White House listed Taiwan as a country, which it's not. Chinese goods were already subject to a 20% levy at the U.S. border. Trump imposed an additional 34% tariff on Beijing on Wednesday − taking the total to 54% − as part of his program of "reciprocal tariffs" targeted at nations he says have been unfair to the U.S. The higher amount takes effect on April 9. Live updates Stocks crater as nations vow to retaliate against Trump's tariffs China urged Washington to reconsider. It also vowed to retaliate if it didn't. Its commerce ministry called for Washington to "immediately cancel" the tariffs, saying they "endanger global economic development." 'Let down by our oldest ally': World leaders react to Trump's sweeping global tariffs But listing Taiwan as a country on the tariff board Trump hoisted is a different kind of sting, and geopolitically awkward, because China's government claims sovereignty over self-ruled Taiwan. It views the island as a breakaway province. For decades, it's vowed to unite Taiwan politically with Beijing. Today, Taiwan is recognized as a sovereign and independent country by just 13 out of 193 United Nations member countries. The U.S. isn't one of them. Taiwan cannot join international organizations such as the United Nations, or its specialized agencies, such as the World Health Organization. Beijing has claimed democratic Taiwan as part of its territory since the Chinese civil war of the 1940s, when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists lost to Mao Zedong's Communists and rebased their government in Taiwan. China has not dropped the threat of force to unite the two sides. In recent years it's flown military planes over a corner of Taiwan's air defense identification zone almost daily to signal its resolve. Taiwanese officials on Thursday didn't appear to know what to make of Taiwan being designated a country. "The partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. is strong," Taiwan's office to the European Union and Belgium told Euractiv, a website that focuses on EU-related news and analysis. "As for the naming, there are several possible reasons and we are not in the position to speculate about this." The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. But China's ambassador to the U.S. did have something to say about it. "Taiwan is China's Taiwan," Ambassador Xie Feng wrote on X, shortly after Trump spoke about the tariffs. "We will continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort, but we will never allow any room for 'Taiwan independence' forces in whatever form."
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EU approves over $2 billion in economic support for Moldova
The Council of the EU gave its final approval to 1.9 billion euros (over $2 billion) in support for Moldova's EU-related reforms and economic growth, the council's press service announced on March 18. The Reform and Growth Facility, which includes 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in low-interest loans and 385 million euros ($420 million) in grants, will cover the period of 2025-2027 and is part of the EU's long-term Moldova Growth Plan. Brussels has ramped up support for Moldova over the past few years to help alleviate the regional impacts of Russia's war against Ukraine and help Chisinau on its path to membership. Moldova launched accession talks with the EU last June. "Today we are helping Moldovans advance key socio-economic reforms, boost their economy and accelerate the country's accession to the EU," said Adam Szlapka, Poland's Europan affairs minister, in a statement. "The new instrument will also strengthen Moldova's resilience by mitigating the impact of Russia's unjust war of aggression against Ukraine." The newly approved tool marks the single largest support package provided to Moldova by the European bloc. The facility will now be signed by the presidents of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU and enter into force a day after being published in the EU Official Journal. Ukraine's neighbor Moldova has received Ukrainian refugees and repeatedly warned about Russia's attempts to destabilize the country, primarily through the Russian-occupied Moldovan region of Transnistria. Transnistria has faced a major energy crisis after the halt of Russian gas supplies at the start of the year. While Moldova has pivoted to European gas supplies prior to the transit halt, it has also faced difficulties as it receives electricity from a gas-powered energy plant located in Transnistria. Last month, the EU allocated 250 million euros ($273 million) to boost Moldova's energy independence and resilience. Read also: 'Talk about an invasion is everywhere' — How Lithuania is preparing for war with Russia We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Bloomberg
31-01-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
ECB Seeks More Proof From Banks That Trading Is Still in Europe
The European Central Bank wants more proof from the world's top securities firms that they're conducting trading related to European Union clients in the bloc, stepping up a years-long campaign that started with Brexit. The ECB is preparing an annual reporting obligation for units of lenders including JPMorgan Chase & Co. , Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Barclays Plc to monitor whether individual trading desks in London or elsewhere conduct 'material' amounts of EU-related business, said people familiar with the matter.
