WARSAW
A possible Russian offensive against Ukraine will basically prevent Germany from maintaining its current position on Nord Stream 2, Daniel Fried, former US ambassador to Poland under Clinton, told EURACTIV Poland in an interview.
“A Russian military offensive against Ukraine would make it even more difficult for Germany to maintain its current position,” he said, adding that the best short-term solution is the suspension of work – or a moratorium – on the project by Germany and the suspension of sanctions by the US. More
EU PRESIDENCY
Portugal to approve strategy for boosting inclusion of disabled. Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has announced that at the end of this month the government will approve a national strategy for the inclusion of people with disabilities, which will include measures to support employment and improve accessibility. More
by EURACTIV.
A message from the European Business Aviation Association: IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT FUELS. IT’S ABOUT THE FUTURE: Join the global Business Aviation Community to discuss the factors that are holding back the full deployment and commercialisation of SAF with European policymakers on 20 April at https://registration.safsummit.eu/
In today’s news from the Capitals
:
ATHENS
Greece recognises Sputnik V as ‘equivalent’ to European vaccines. Greece will recognise Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in its vaccination certificate, making it easier for Russian tourists to travel and spend their summer holidays in Greece.
During a visit in Moscow, Greek Tourism Minister Haris Theocharis assured Russians that Greece’s national vaccination committee includes the Russian vaccine as an equivalent to European vaccines for travel purposes. Read more.
Germany’s Green party is due to announce its candidate to replace Angela Merkel as chancellor after federal elections in September.
The party is set to put forward one of two co-leaders, Annalena Baerbock or Robert Habeck. Both have said they are ready to lead their party into the election, but have also stressed they want a consensus on the decision.
Monday’s announcement also marks the first time the party is naming a chancellor candidate, a clear sign that they are now no longer content with settling for a kingmaker role.
Latest polls have Merkel’s CDU/CSU on 28%, followed by the Greens as second strongest force with 21%. They are followed by the Social Democrats (SPD) (15%), the liberal FDP and far-right AfD (11% each) and the leftist Linke (7%). (Alexandra Brzozowski, EURACTIV.com)
Several Belgian mayors had announced on Thursday they would reopen their terraces before 8 May as they would no longer have the means to prevent hospitality owners from opening their businesses.
Belgium’s Consultation Committee on Wednesday (14 April) decided to ‘cautiously’ loosen certain COVID-19 restrictions, including lifting a travel ban, reopening outdoor terraces for the hospitality sector and extending social bubbles.
Belgium’s Consultation Committee on Wednesday (14 April) decided to ‘cautiously’ loosen certain COVID-19 restrictions, including lifting a travel ban, reopening outdoor terraces for the hospitality sector and extending social bubbles.
Jean-Marie Dedecker, the mayor of one of Belgium’s coastal towns, amongst others announced he will go with the 1 May opening date for the terraces, despite the Consultative Committee’s decision to wait another week.
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Before you start reading today’s edition of the Capitals, feel free to have a look at the in-depth analysis Michel silent over unofficial document mulling border changes in Western Balkans by Alexandra Brzozowski and Vlagyiszlav Makszimov.
The European news you deserve to read. Welcome to by EURACTIV.
High-level Conference Climate Science from Space: Synergies for a greener innovation economy: With the participation of the European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and the Portuguese Minister for Science, Manuel Heitor, this conference will help building bridges to link space and climate ecosystems, by showing how space-based systems can improve daily life and contribute to the European Green Deal. More here.