European Briefs
UK gov't warned it will 'regret' refusal to sign EU fiscal pact
The UK government has been warned it will "regret" refusing to sign up to the EU's new treaty on enforcing budgetary discipline, the BBC reported. Joseph Daul, who leads EU Parliament's center-right EPP group, made the claim during a debate Feb. 1 during a recent summit of EU leaders. The UK and Czech governments were the only EU members that refused to sign the compact, which aims to create closer coordination of budget policy across the EU to prevent excessive debts from accumulating.
The UK government has been warned it will "regret" refusing to sign up to the EU's new treaty on enforcing budgetary discipline, the BBC reported. Joseph Daul, who leads EU Parliament's center-right EPP group, made the claim during a debate Feb. 1 during a recent summit of EU leaders. The UK and Czech governments were the only EU members that refused to sign the compact, which aims to create closer coordination of budget policy across the EU to prevent excessive debts from accumulating.
Italy imposes emergency measures to conserve gas supplies
The Italian government has imposed emergency measures on businesses to conserve gas supplies as freezing weather continued to grip the country and much of Europe, the BBC reported Feb. 7. Government and industry officials were set to discuss a "critical" situation. The country imports most of its energy, and while gas consumption has soared, supplies from Russia have been reduced.
The Italian government has imposed emergency measures on businesses to conserve gas supplies as freezing weather continued to grip the country and much of Europe, the BBC reported Feb. 7. Government and industry officials were set to discuss a "critical" situation. The country imports most of its energy, and while gas consumption has soared, supplies from Russia have been reduced.
Air France scraps half of flights after workers' strike
Air France scrapped around half its flights Feb. 7 because of a strike by pilots, cabin crew and ground workers over proposed changes to rules governing labor protests, Bloomberg News reported. Unions are protesting a bill to be considered by the French Senate that would oblige each employee planning to strike to give 48 hours' notice.
Air France scrapped around half its flights Feb. 7 because of a strike by pilots, cabin crew and ground workers over proposed changes to rules governing labor protests, Bloomberg News reported. Unions are protesting a bill to be considered by the French Senate that would oblige each employee planning to strike to give 48 hours' notice.
Vatican holds unprecedented summit on sex abuse
Roman Catholic leaders held an unprecedented summit in Rome Feb. 7 on how the church should tackle the sexual abuse of children by priests, the BBC reported. In a Vatican statement, Pope Benedict said "healing for victims" should be a major concern as much as a "profound renewal of the church at every level." The summit aims to produce guidelines on tackling abusive priests and helping police prosecute pedophile crime.
Roman Catholic leaders held an unprecedented summit in Rome Feb. 7 on how the church should tackle the sexual abuse of children by priests, the BBC reported. In a Vatican statement, Pope Benedict said "healing for victims" should be a major concern as much as a "profound renewal of the church at every level." The summit aims to produce guidelines on tackling abusive priests and helping police prosecute pedophile crime.
UK working with Jordan to secure deportation of radical cleric
The UK government is continuing to work with Jordan to reach assurances allowing the deportation of radical cleric Abu Qatada, the BBC reported Feb. 7. UK courts have ruled Qatada, who has been held for six and a half years, should be released on bail. Last month, the European Court of Human Rights blocked his deportation to Jordan, where he faces terror charges.
The UK government is continuing to work with Jordan to reach assurances allowing the deportation of radical cleric Abu Qatada, the BBC reported Feb. 7. UK courts have ruled Qatada, who has been held for six and a half years, should be released on bail. Last month, the European Court of Human Rights blocked his deportation to Jordan, where he faces terror charges.
Merkel pledges support for Sarkozy's re-election bid
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged her support for President Nicolas Sarkozy's re-election bid, 80 days before French voters go to the polls, the BBC reported Feb. 6. In a joint TV interview, Merkel said it was "natural" to back a fellow conservative. Sarkozy has yet to confirm he will stand in April, and is behind the Socialist Francois Hollande in the polls.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged her support for President Nicolas Sarkozy's re-election bid, 80 days before French voters go to the polls, the BBC reported Feb. 6. In a joint TV interview, Merkel said it was "natural" to back a fellow conservative. Sarkozy has yet to confirm he will stand in April, and is behind the Socialist Francois Hollande in the polls.
Syrian, German-Lebanese men arrested in Berlin on spy charges
A Syrian and a German-Lebanese man have been arrested in Berlin on suspicion of spying on opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, the BBC reported Feb. 7. The pair, identified as 34-year-old Syrian Akram O. and dual national Mahmoud El A., 47, are suspected of spying in Germany for several years. Their homes were searched by 70 officers who were also investigating six other suspects.
A Syrian and a German-Lebanese man have been arrested in Berlin on suspicion of spying on opponents of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government, the BBC reported Feb. 7. The pair, identified as 34-year-old Syrian Akram O. and dual national Mahmoud El A., 47, are suspected of spying in Germany for several years. Their homes were searched by 70 officers who were also investigating six other suspects.
Pressure mounting on Greek gov't to agree on reforms
Pressure is rising on Greece's national unity government to agree on tough reforms demanded by the country's lenders, the BBC reported Feb. 7. The EU, IMF and European Central Bank have made further spending cuts, labor market reforms and bank rescues a condition of extending a new bailout. European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes said there would be "absolutely no man overboard" if Greece left the euro.
Pressure is rising on Greece's national unity government to agree on tough reforms demanded by the country's lenders, the BBC reported Feb. 7. The EU, IMF and European Central Bank have made further spending cuts, labor market reforms and bank rescues a condition of extending a new bailout. European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes said there would be "absolutely no man overboard" if Greece left the euro.
Region: Poland's gas imports from Russia back to normal
Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA, Poland's dominant gas company, said deliveries from Russia returned to the requested level Feb. 3 after a brief reduction in deliveries amid frigid temperatures, Bloomberg reported. Poland imported 76 percent of the 14.4 billion cubic meters it consumed last year, most of it from Russia. The country's daily gas consumption reached a record high of 70.3 million cubic meters yesterday as temperatures in Warsaw dropped to minus 23 degrees Celsius (minus 9.4 Fahrenheit), the lowest level in two years.
Polskie Górnictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA, Poland's dominant gas company, said deliveries from Russia returned to the requested level Feb. 3 after a brief reduction in deliveries amid frigid temperatures, Bloomberg reported. Poland imported 76 percent of the 14.4 billion cubic meters it consumed last year, most of it from Russia. The country's daily gas consumption reached a record high of 70.3 million cubic meters yesterday as temperatures in Warsaw dropped to minus 23 degrees Celsius (minus 9.4 Fahrenheit), the lowest level in two years.
Region: Bulgaria's Plevniev assures Clinton his country is pushing forward with reforms
President Rosen Plevniev told visiting Hillary Clinton Feb. 5 that the country is pressing on with far-reaching reforms to the judiciary, The Sofia Echo reported. The two leaders highlighted the excellent level of defense and security cooperation, assessed joint military facilities in Bulgaria and discussed the prospects for their more effective use in the context of the new U.S. defense strategy. At the meeting, Plevniev also confirmed his country's commitment to engagement in Afghanistan.
President Rosen Plevniev told visiting Hillary Clinton Feb. 5 that the country is pressing on with far-reaching reforms to the judiciary, The Sofia Echo reported. The two leaders highlighted the excellent level of defense and security cooperation, assessed joint military facilities in Bulgaria and discussed the prospects for their more effective use in the context of the new U.S. defense strategy. At the meeting, Plevniev also confirmed his country's commitment to engagement in Afghanistan.
Region: Bulgaria's Plevniev assures Clinton his country is pushing forward with reforms
President Rosen Plevniev told visiting Hillary Clinton Feb. 5 that the country is pressing on with far-reaching reforms to the judiciary, The Sofia Echo reported. The two leaders highlighted the excellent level of defense and security cooperation, assessed joint military facilities in Bulgaria and discussed the prospects for their more effective use in the context of the new U.S. defense strategy. At the meeting, Plevniev also confirmed his country's commitment to engagement in Afghanistan.
President Rosen Plevniev told visiting Hillary Clinton Feb. 5 that the country is pressing on with far-reaching reforms to the judiciary, The Sofia Echo reported. The two leaders highlighted the excellent level of defense and security cooperation, assessed joint military facilities in Bulgaria and discussed the prospects for their more effective use in the context of the new U.S. defense strategy. At the meeting, Plevniev also confirmed his country's commitment to engagement in Afghanistan.
Region: Mihály Varga speaks out on Hungary's application for IMF bail-out money
The investment environment of Hungary must improve and slow legislative changes must be implemented to obtain an international bailout, Mihály Varga, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, said Feb. 6. Hungary is seeking an aid package from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union of about 15 billion to 20 billion euros, Varga said. He added the "outlines" of a deal may be done in one or two months, as it is in the interest of both sides to come to an agreement quickly, Bloomberg reported.
The investment environment of Hungary must improve and slow legislative changes must be implemented to obtain an international bailout, Mihály Varga, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, said Feb. 6. Hungary is seeking an aid package from the International Monetary Fund and the European Union of about 15 billion to 20 billion euros, Varga said. He added the "outlines" of a deal may be done in one or two months, as it is in the interest of both sides to come to an agreement quickly, Bloomberg reported.
Region: Government of Romanian PM Emil Boc resigns
Prime Minister Emil Boc announced the resignation of his government Feb. 6 following weeks of protests in Romania against austerity measures, The Sofia Echo reported. Boc, leader of the center-right Democratic Liberal Party and prime minister since December 2008, said he wanted to "diffuse political and social tension." The harsh austerity measures in Romania include a 25 percent cut in public sector pay and a freeze on pension increases. Street demonstrations against the austerity measures began Jan. 12 and have seen violent clashes between police and protesters.
Prime Minister Emil Boc announced the resignation of his government Feb. 6 following weeks of protests in Romania against austerity measures, The Sofia Echo reported. Boc, leader of the center-right Democratic Liberal Party and prime minister since December 2008, said he wanted to "diffuse political and social tension." The harsh austerity measures in Romania include a 25 percent cut in public sector pay and a freeze on pension increases. Street demonstrations against the austerity measures began Jan. 12 and have seen violent clashes between police and protesters.
Region: Hillary Clinton presses Ukrainian authorities on Tymoshenko
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is pressing Ukrainian authorities to quickly resolve the criminal case brought against jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, the Associated Press (AP) reported Feb. 4. A senior U.S. official said Clinton raised the case in a meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in Munich Feb. 4. The official said Clinton expressed concern over Tymoshenko, her health and the conditions of her confinement, after her daughter told U.S. lawmakers that her mother is being tortured in prison.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is pressing Ukrainian authorities to quickly resolve the criminal case brought against jailed former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, the Associated Press (AP) reported Feb. 4. A senior U.S. official said Clinton raised the case in a meeting with Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in Munich Feb. 4. The official said Clinton expressed concern over Tymoshenko, her health and the conditions of her confinement, after her daughter told U.S. lawmakers that her mother is being tortured in prison.
Region: Anti-government protests in Moscow draw big crowds
More than 100,000 people demonstrated in cities throughout Russia Feb. 4 to voice their growing discontent with the policies of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported. The demonstration kicked off a month of anti-government rallies leading up to the March 4 presidential election, in which opinion polls have Putin garnering around 50 percent of the vote. The next big protest is expected to take place Feb. 26, the week before the election, or soon after it, organizers said.
More than 100,000 people demonstrated in cities throughout Russia Feb. 4 to voice their growing discontent with the policies of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported. The demonstration kicked off a month of anti-government rallies leading up to the March 4 presidential election, in which opinion polls have Putin garnering around 50 percent of the vote. The next big protest is expected to take place Feb. 26, the week before the election, or soon after it, organizers said.
-13 °C, Prague, Czech Republic
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