Latest news with #intra-EU
Euronews
9 hours ago
- Business
- Euronews
Greece cautiously reacts to EU-US trade agreement
The Greek government appears hesitant and cautious in commenting on the EU-US trade deal on tariffs reached between Ursula von der Leyen and Donald Trump. Greek Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis, speaking in the Greek Parliament, outlined the government's thoughts on this burning issue. He noted that it puts an end to months of uncertainty following Trump's election and the "back and forth" with the tariffs, and that is a positive thing. He stressed, however, that the government is studying the agreement to see how it can better manage the problems that will arise in areas of Greece's commercial interest. "The agreement puts an end to months of uncertainty regarding the status of perhaps the most important bilateral trade relationship in the global economy. It secures transatlantic unity and prevents a trade war with a chain of negative effects on international trade and on international distribution and production chains. The agreement also strengthens the energy security of the European economy for the foreseeable future. From this perspective, the development is positive. "As you know, as a matter of principle, Greece supports free trade based on stable rules. The agreement provides for the application of tariffs of 15% on European exports to the US, with some asterisks," Pierrakakis continued. "Based on the principled position I have described to you, the Greek government would like a lower tariff rate, ideally zero for all transatlantic trade flows. On the other hand, the announced tariff rate is lower than what was scheduled to be applied on 1 August. "The government is closely following the relevant consultations and, to the extent that the framework of the agreement will allow, possibilities will be explored that could help to better address issues related to products of particular interest to our country." "Ending intra-European tariffs" The Greek Finance Minister also raised another issue, which concerns Europe itself. He said there are still intra-EU barriers that act as tariffs and should be eliminated. "If we really want a strong, competitive and single European economy, we have to tear down the last invisible walls that still prevent the free movement of goods and services within the Union. It is not possible that, decades after the Single Market was established, there are still regulatory or administrative barriers that in practice act as intra-European 'tariffs'. "In manufacturing there are equivalent internal tariffs of 45% and in services the equivalent is 110%. This is what the International Monetary Fund has documented, and Mario Draghi has mentioned it in his column. So, what needs to be conquered and achieved is to remove the barriers, especially between the European economies. And of course we as a country should also be able to systematically address more and more markets, such as India and the Middle Eastern markets, for our exports." Chamber of Commerce: "A defining development with conditions of predictability and great challenges" The president of the Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yannis Bratakos noted that the agreement is a defining development for global trade as things are now more predictable. On the other hand, he stressed that it creates serious challenges for Greek and European production. "The recent agreement between the United States of America and the European Union, which includes a new tariff framework, is a decisive development for transatlantic cooperation and the global economy. "The new tariff framework resulting from the agreement creates conditions of greater predictability, but at the same time incorporates challenges for specific sectors of European production." Bratakos continued: "The exemption of strategic sectors, such as aeronautics, generic medicines, chemicals and certain agricultural goods, is a positive development. However, the imposition of uniform tariffs on high value-added products - including pharmaceutical, industrial and agri-food exports - may hurt the competitiveness of companies that support critical shares of the Greek economy. "Particular attention is needed to protect iconic Greek products, such as olive oil, feta and wines, which risk being burdened by the new regime. In this environment, the need for constant monitoring of developments and effective participation in the shaping of European decisions becomes crucial. "At the same time, the strengthening of energy cooperation with the US, through increased imports of LNG and investment in infrastructure, opens up new opportunities for Greece, especially in the fields of logistics, shipbuilding and regional energy interconnection. "The Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry calls on the Greek government to ensure, within the framework of the European institutions, that the final implementation of the agreement will not disrupt the competitiveness of Greek exports and will not increase the dependence of specific sectors on third markets. "It is time for our country to invest concretely and more actively in interconnection with the US and at the same time to broaden its export prospects to alternative markets. The Hellenic Business Association (EBEA) will continue to support this national effort with informed interventions, services to its members and the continuous promotion of Greek entrepreneurship abroad". Piraeus Chamber of Commerce: "We hope that the situation will be manageable" The port of Piraeus is a very large trade hub, the main seaport of Athens and plays a key role in the commercial and industrial traffic of Greece and Europe. "We want to believe that the agreement to impose tariffs at the 15% level is a manageable situation and we hope that it will not create losses in US-EU bilateral trade," President of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vassilis Korkidis said. Adding that: "The announcement that the US and the European Union have reached an agreement on tariffs, following the conclusion of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, certainly brings relief to both sides of the Atlantic. In international trade, any agreement is always better than no agreement and the unilateral imposition of measures and countermeasures. The fact that it was agreed to impose a 15% general tariff on all products including cars is an element that restores balance to US-European trade relations and seems to satisfy both parties. However, the tariffs on steel and aluminium remain at 50%, and it is not clear whether pharmaceuticals and semiconductors will eventually be subject to separate tariffs. "The agreement also provides that the EU will buy US military equipment and energy worth a total of $750 billion, while making significant investments of $600 billion. The European side calls it an "all inclusive" trade agreement between the two major trading partners that brings stability. Regardless of the details and exceptions, it is significant that after months of negotiations, the agreement was reached less than a week before the August 1 deadline and the imposition of higher tariffs that would have had serious repercussions. We want to believe that the agreement to impose tariffs at the 15% level is a manageable situation and we hope that it will not create losses in US-EU bilateral trade."
Euractiv
4 days ago
- Business
- Euractiv
Germany and France to EU: Stay out of arms export policy
The defence ministers from Germany and France both declared that the European Union has absolutely no role to play in weapons export decisions, issuing a clear rebuke to European Commission ambitions to ease trade within the EU weapons market. Weapons export decisions are 'exclusively' the preserve of national governments, and the EU and the European Commission 'have no role to play in this regard ', German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Thursday evening at a joint press conference with his French counterpart, Sébastien Lecornu. The remarks demonstrate strong and united opposition from the EU's two most important members to the Commission's push to l oosen export controls within the EU in order to fast-track arms production. The EU executive has proposed allowing countries to skip obtaining approval before reselling key sensitive components used in weapons manufacturing. Many countries control how weapons and other sensitive products can be used, and retain the right to veto the further resale of defence equipment to third countries. France has for months opposed the idea of loosening those rules within the EU, as Euractiv first reported earlier this spring . Paris has argued that the move goes beyond existing agreements on transfers of defence-related products within the EU – and would effectively strip France of the right to control and keep track of where critical components end up. But despite those protests from Paris, the Commission has kept pitching the idea of loosening export rules, most recently last month in its package to ease regulation on the defence sector, known as the "defence omnibus". The Commission also announced plans to revise the existing intra-EU transfer directive, which governs trade in defence-related products within the bloc, sometime in the coming months. Pistorius's remarks, however, clearly bolster France's opposition to those changes. "There is no question of the European Commission interfering in the competences of the member states, especially when it comes to arms exports," Lecornu said. (bts, aw)
The Star
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
EU will propose more flexibility for defence procurement, commissioner says
FILE PHOTO: EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius speaks during an interview with Reuters in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2024. REUTERS/Bart Biesemans/File Photo BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission will propose next week to give governments more flexibility on defence procurement and make access to European funding easier, European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Tuesday. "Without this simplification, nothing else in defence readiness will be possible to achieve," Kubilius told a conference in Brussels. "Putin will not wait for us to get our paperwork in order," he added. The European defence industry has raised concerns about EU red tape and delays in accessing funds. The proposal, expected to be presented on June 17, will aim to address some of these complaints. "We intend to give more flexibility to member states in common procurements, more flexibility on framework agreements, and we intend to facilitate innovation procurement," he said, adding that the Commission also wants to make access to the bloc's defence fund "easier". The commissioner said it would also be important to look at other rules that impact defence, pointing to permits, reporting obligations, competition rules and sustainable finance. Kubilius said the Commission will propose simplifying a directive on defence procurement and a directive on intra-EU transfers of defence products. (Reporting by Lili Bayer, editing by Bart Meijer)
Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
EU will propose more flexibility for defence procurement, commissioner says
FILE PHOTO: EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius speaks during an interview with Reuters in Brussels, Belgium December 6, 2024. REUTERS/Bart Biesemans/File Photo EU will propose more flexibility for defence procurement, commissioner says BRUSSELS - The European Commission will propose next week to give governments more flexibility on defence procurement and make access to European funding easier, European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Tuesday. "Without this simplification, nothing else in defence readiness will be possible to achieve," Kubilius told a conference in Brussels. "Putin will not wait for us to get our paperwork in order," he added. The European defence industry has raised concerns about EU red tape and delays in accessing funds. The proposal, expected to be presented on June 17, will aim to address some of these complaints. "We intend to give more flexibility to member states in common procurements, more flexibility on framework agreements, and we intend to facilitate innovation procurement," he said, adding that the Commission also wants to make access to the bloc's defence fund "easier". The commissioner said it would also be important to look at other rules that impact defence, pointing to permits, reporting obligations, competition rules and sustainable finance. Kubilius said the Commission will propose simplifying a directive on defence procurement and a directive on intra-EU transfers of defence products. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Euronews
06-06-2025
- Health
- Euronews
At least 12 injured after unknown powder found at German DHL centre
At least a dozen people were injured on Friday after a suspicious package was located at a DHL distribution centre in Langenzenn in southern Germany. Several mail centre employees reportedly came into contact with an unknown white powder through a suspicious package, local media reported. The mail centre staff later complained of feeling ill shortly after the package was discovered, including suffering from rashes. The substance was found on the outside of the parcel and allegedly caused irritation. At least eight people were hospitalised after touching the powder. However, a spokesperson for the regional police said this number could increase. This discovery prompted a response from several emergency departments including police, firefighters and hazardous materials specialists. Around 100 emergency personnel were deployed. A local fire department set up a decontamination site at the scene and the distribution centre was evacuated. The police spokesperson told local media that a so-called decontamination shower had been taken to the warehouse. Such a device can be used to wash off potentially hazardous substances. According to reports, 35 people have already used the shower. Dangerous goods specialists are examining the package, but for now, it is unclear what it contains. Meanwhile, the public has been asked to avoid the area until firefighters give the all-clear. Proposals to allow charging air passengers for carry-on cabin baggage were green-lit by EU transport ministers on Thursday as part of wider reforms of EU air passenger rights, despite resistance from Germany, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. As Euronews reported, the proposal would create a new free hand luggage item, one that can be slipped under the seat, leaving other stowed cabin bags exposed to charges. The agreed proposals would mean airlines must reroute passengers at the earliest opportunity, including through other carriers or transport modes when appropriate. If rerouting isn't offered within three hours, passengers may book their own travel and claim up to 400% of the original ticket cost in reimbursement. Delays of over four hours on short and intra-EU flights (under 3,500 km) will trigger €300 in compensation. Long-haul flights (over 3,500 km) will warrant €500 after six hours of delay. Airlines would no longer be permitted to invoke "extraordinary circumstances" unless they prove all reasonable measures were taken to avoid disruption. Airlines would also be explicitly required to provide food, drinks, and accommodation during delays. If they fail to do so, passengers may arrange these themselves and claim costs back. To bolster enforcement, the rules impose stricter information requirements. Airlines must clearly inform passengers of their rights at booking and during complaints handling. New timelines are foreseen: passengers would have up to six months to submit a claim, and airlines must respond within 14 days. 'The position finally adopted today answers to an urgent call by air passengers and airlines for up-to-date, clearer and more straightforward rules. The revised rules will bring over 30 new rights to the air passengers, applicable from the moment when they buy a ticket, until they arrive at their destination, and in some cases even beyond. It is a historical milestone as an agreement couldn't have been reached in the last 12 years,' Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of Infrastructure of Poland, whose country holds the presidency of the Council, told reporters. European consumer organisation BEUC criticised the position adopted by member states, saying it 'substantially decreases several key rights'. 'Although the deal improved some rights on paper, giving consumers improved access to information in case of disruption, care and assistance, it represents a substantial rollback of other key rights. Take compensation for instance. The new eligibility thresholds will deprive the majority of passengers from their compensation rights as most delays are between two and four hours,' Agustín Reyna, BEUC's director general, said after the vote. 'Consumer groups have already pointed out that airlines should stop charging passengers for their hand luggage by lodging a complaint with the consumer protection authorities and the European Commission last May. Such practices are contrary to EU rules and EU top court case law which states that hand luggage is an essential aspect of passengers' carriage. On the contrary, the text adopted by the Council legitimises charging for reasonably sized hand luggage,' the director added. The next legislative steps Now it is the turn of the European Parliament to adopt its position on the file. If it does so, the text will enter interinstitutional negotiations with member states, the Parliament and the Commission to find a common position on the new rules. BEUC lamented the fact that the revision is being conducted through an expedited procedure that gives shorter deadlines in the Parliament, which will only need to approve the proposal by an absolute majority.
