Contents tagged with EU
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The EU will continue to provide assistance to farmers affected by Russian food embargo
Farmers, who have been affected by the Russian trade embargo on goods from the European Union, will receive financial assistance from the EU, Deutsche Welle reported. The assistance to agricultural producers previously approved has been extended until June 2017. It should be noted that Brussels spent 280 million Euros on assistance to farmers who have been affected by the Russian sanctions.
In general, approximately 1.13 million tons of European fruits and vegetables were given free of charge …
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Finland is ready to support visa-free travel for Ukrainians and Georgians to the EU
Finland is ready to support visa-free travel for Ukrainian and Georgian citizens to the EU, but is not prepared to do the same for citizens of Turkey and Kosovo, according to the Finnish Secretary of State, Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Yle reported.
As stated by Heinonen, Turkey and Kosovo have not fulfilled the conditions necessary to receive a visa-free regime with the EU.
"The issue of visa-free regime for Turkey remains open," the Finnish Secretary of State said following a meeting of EU …
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EU Council has not come to an agreement on visa-free regimes for Georgia, Ukraine, Kosovo and Turkey
During a meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council on Friday in Luxembourg, Ministers of the EU countries were not able to reach an agreement on the liberalization of the visa regime for Georgia, Ukraine, Kosovo and Turkey, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
"We’ve talked about the liberalization of visa policies, noting the progress made by all countries, including Turkey. But we have not made a decision yet, because some EU countries still see a number of problems and are not able to agree. …
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Czech Foreign Minister: Putin uses a divide-and-conquer strategy in Europe
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Lubomír Zaorálek, stated in an interview with the Financial Times that the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, uses a divide-and-conquer strategy, supporting right-wing populists in Europe. According to him, nationalist and Euro-skeptical movements serve a vital role in Putin’s strategy to weaken Europe.
“This issue is regularly discussed. We have no doubt that Russia is exploring ways for funding this work,” Zaorálek noted. “Russia uses …
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Financial Times: EU sanctions against the Kremlin will be extended for another six months
European Union (EU) countries, who support sanctions against Russia, have postponed discussions about their demands until the EU leaders summit in December. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources in Brussels.
In addition, and despite signs of some bloc countries softening their attitudes, the EU intends to extend sanctions against Russia for another six months.
The newspaper reports that diplomats fear that this extension may, over the next two weeks, trigger disputes …
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European Commission President to meet with Putin in Russia
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week during an economic forum in St. Petersburg, as reported by Reuters with reference to an EU spokeswoman.
Juncker will attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on Thursday and Friday of next week and will hold his first meeting with Putin since November of 2014.
The EC President has called for further cooperation with Russia and said in October that the EU’s stance towards …
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Estonian Prime Minister: Ukraine and Georgia should get visa-free regime as soon as possible
Ukraine and Georgia have fulfilled all of the requirements to liberalize their visa regime with EU countries. They should now be allowed a visa-free regime without any additional conditions, as stated by Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Māris Kučinskis.
“Georgia and Ukraine have met the established criteria and should therefore receive a visa-free regime as soon as possible. The credibility of, and trust to, the EU are at stake,” Rõivas said. …
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Mogherini: The EU doesn’t recognize the annexation of Crimea
Speaking at the meeting of the UN Security Council that took place on the 6th of June, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, broached the topic of the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol. The UN press service reported Mogherini as saying that the cessation of the Ukrainian conflict is one of the main priorities of the European Union.
“The European Union will continue to advocate for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and won’t …
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Media: The Netherlands wants to modify the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement
According to the Austrian newspaper, Die Presse, citing Dutch diplomats, the Government of the Netherlands wants to modify certain provisions of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. The Dutch Government intended to take such a step after the referendum in April in which the Dutch voted against the ratification of the Association Agreement.
"The government in The Hague prefers quiet diplomacy behind the scenes. And now, when the Netherlands is holding the EU Presidency they have an opportunity …
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Merkel: Sanctions against Russia will be lifted when Ukraine gains control over its borders
Sanctions against Russia will be lifter only after Ukraine gains full control over its borders, as stated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel during the Congress of the Christian Democratic Union, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung rerported.
“I am convinced that Russia is slowly moving towards integration into the common European economic zone from Vladivostok to Lisbon,” Merkel said.
“At the same time, despite the aspirations of the EU to accept Russia into the common European economy, we …