EU Political Report has been privileged to hold an exclusive meeting with the successful British investor and international businessman from Georgia, Tamaz Somkhishvili, and this is part two of our interview that faithfully records a description of his career. PART TWO – The Development of a Career in Energy In 1991 Tamaz Somkhishvili had a…
Business
Combatting Deforestation
Photo by kazuend on Unsplash The European Commission’s decision to delay introducing a key new law has met with a drastically different response. It comes after the EC announced a postponement of the implementation of the EU regulation to combat deforestation by 12 months. The regulation, which lays down due diligence obligations for companies importing…
A Conversation with Tamaz Somkhishvili
EU Political Report has been privileged to hold an exclusive meeting with the successful international businessman from Georgia, Tamaz Somkhishvili, and this interview divided into two parts faithfully records a description of his career. Part One – The Formative Years Tamaz Valeryanovich Somkhishvili was born on 22 June 1957 in Tbilisi into the family…
Stop Single Use Plastic Packaging
A large group of European NGO representatives, members of the Break Free From Plastic movement and Zero Waste Europe network, displayed a large Pinocchio figure in front of the European Commission building in Brussels. They say the action on 24 September “illustrates how big consumer brands and supermarkets, with Member states’ leniency, are holding…
More Hotels for Brussels Airport
Two new hotels have opened close to Brussels airport, helping meet increased demand from the travelling public. A relative lack of accommodation at or near the national airport has sometimes been a cause of complaint from international air passengers. However, the twin openings hope to go some way to addressing such concerns. The two brand-new…
Emirates and Brussels Airport
Business is taking off, for both airport and airline. Brussels Airport is providing a much needed boost for the local economy – while its second most popular long-haul airline is doing the same for the travelling public. Both the airport and Emirates are celebrating success stories – particularly welcome as the post-pandemic recovery continues. According…
Support for Draghi Report from Rail Business
Photo by Akshay Nanavati on Unsplash The European rail supply industry says it supports the recommendations of Draghi’s competitiveness report. The sector says this could cut emissions, lower freight costs by 10% and drive investment in rail. The report on the future of European competitiveness was authored by former Italian PM Mario Draghi. It…
EU Crackdown on Apple’s Irish Tax Deal
Photo by zhang kaiyv on Unsplash A senior MEP says the outcome of a high profile court case on Tuesday was a “landmark victory” for the EU. The comments come after Europe’s top court backed the EU crackdown against Apple’s Irish tax deal and Google’s anti-competitive practices in two cases. Apple was told…
The Future of EU Competitiveness
Photo by Farah Almazouni on Unsplash A major new report, which looks at the challenges faced by the industry and companies in the Single Market, has been given a guarded welcome. The findings of the report on the Future of EU Competitiveness seeks to contribute to the Commission’s work on a new plan…
Julia Leferman Takes the Helm
Julia Leferman has officially assumed her role as the new Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, the body that represents the huge brewing sector in Europe. She describes it as a “bold vision to position beer at the centre of European Union policy.” Leferman’s leadership, she said, will focus on driving innovation, promoting responsible…