Photo by Vas on Unsplash A top level delegation of MEPs, MPs and other officials is in Taiwan this week in order to “express solidarity” with the nation. The trip comes amid mounting tension between Taiwan and China. There are concerns in some quarters that China is set on a military showdown with Taiwan which it (China) claims…
Month: March 2024
Ambassador Hails Belgium-China Co-operation
China will seek to “embrace the world in its opening-up process,” says the country’s ambassador to Belgium. Ambassador Cao Zhongming was speaking in Brussels at an event hosted by the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC). The outgoing diplomat said he “appreciates” the long-time optimism about China of the Belgian business community and the “great efforts”…
Commission Opens Non-compliance Investigations
Photo by Headway on Unsplash The European Commission has opened non-compliance investigations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) against several “Big Tech” companies. It will investigate Alphabet’s rules on steering in Google Play and self-preferencing on Google Search, Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store and the choice screen for Safari and Meta’s “pay or consent model”. The…
Russian Sabotage of Dnipro Dam
Less than a week ago, Russia held a so-called “presidential election” that once again confirmed that Putin’s rule poses a real threat to millions of people both inside and outside Russia. On 22 March, Russia launched one of the largest attacks on Ukraine, using 151 aerial attack weapons: 63 strike UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type,…
EU-Ukraine Transport Dialogue
Photo by Viktor Bystrov on Unsplash The third high-level meeting of the EU-Ukraine Transport Dialogue has taken place in Kyiv. The meeting on 21 March focused on efforts to keep Ukraine’s exports and imports moving via the Solidarity Lanes, improving connectivity, safety and security as well as sustainability. Reaction to the meeting came from the EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean. The…
Francois Coorens Exhibits at Hilton Brussels
A Belgian artist has launched a one-year “residency” at a Brussels hotel. Francois Coorens will have his artwork displayed on walls throughout the Hilton Brussels Grand Place for the coming year. It is a part of a project organised by the hotel chain which allows artists to gain added “visibility” by showcasing their work. Coorens…
Cross-Border Traffic Offences
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash The EU and its member states have reached a deal which aims to strengthen EU member state cooperation in the cross-border investigation of traffic offences. To prevent reckless driving while abroad, the updated rules will expand the list of traffic offences committed by non-resident drivers that trigger cross-border assistance possibly resulting in…
EU Not Attractive as Business Location
Photo by Fas Khan on Unsplash There has been no improvement in the declining attractiveness of the EU as a business location, says a new report. It adds that the majority of business federations believe that the EU’s attractiveness as investment destination for global firms stagnated or declined over the past year. The EU is a less attractive investment location in…
Support for Trans-regional Corridors
Photo by Rhys Moult on Unsplash In a speech at an event entitled ‘The Future via Carpathia-Caucasian Road Corridor,’ held on March 19th in the European Parliament in Brussels, Ryszard Czarnecki, a Member of the European Parliament, emphasised the critical importance of prioritising trans-regional trade corridors for the economic development and security of the European Union (EU) and…
EU Opens New Office in Greenland
Photo by Visit Greenland on Unsplash The EU has inaugurated its new office in Nuuk, underlining what it says is “Europe’s concrete presence in Greenland and in the wider Arctic region.” It was opened by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Prime Minister of Greenland Múte Bourup Egede and the Prime Minister of Denmark Mette…