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The European Union has sanctioned three Indian companies — Aerotrust Aviation, Ascend Aviation India, and Shree Enterprises — among 45 entities for allegedly aiding Russia’s military and industrial complex amid the Ukraine war.

EU sanctions three Indian firms for alleged links to Russian military

The European Union has sanctioned three Indian companies &mdash; Aerotrust Aviation, Ascend Aviation India, and Shree Enterprises &mdash; among 45 entities for allegedly aiding Russia&rsquo;s military and industrial complex amid the Ukraine war.

Three India-based companies were among 45 entities sanctioned by the European Union on Thursday for their alleged links with Russian military.
The EU slapped the punitive actions against the firms as part of its 19th package of sanctions which are part of efforts to put economic pressure on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
There was no immediate reaction from Indian officials to the EU action.
An EU readout said the European Council has identified 45 new entities "directly supporting" Russia's military and industrial complex by "enabling the circumvention of export restrictions on computer numerical control (CNC) machine tools, microelectronics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other advanced technology items".
"These entities will be subject to tighter export restrictions with regard to dual-use goods, as well as items which might generally contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defence sector," it said.
"Seventeen of these entities are located in third countries other than Russia," it said.
Out of these 17 entities, 12 are in China, including Hong Kong, three in India and two in Thailand, the EU said.
The statement on the 19th package of sanctions identified the three Indian firms as Aerotrust Aviation Private Limited, Ascend Aviation India Private Limited and Shree Enterprises.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for sanctions and partial trade suspension against Israel over Gaza war, urging humanitarian action and reconstruction support.

EU Considers Sanctions on Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

EU Sanctions Israel Over Gaza Crisis

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for sanctions and partial trade suspension against Israel over Gaza war, urging humanitarian action and reconstruction support.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said she plans to seek sanctions and a partial trade suspension against Israel over the war in Gaza.
The 27-nation EU is deeply divided in its approach to Israel and the Palestinians, and it's unclear whether a majority will be found to endorse the sanctions and trade measures.
Von der Leyen added that the commission &ldquo;will set up a Palestine donor group next month,&rdquo; part of which will focus on Gaza's future reconstruction. She said the events in Gaza and the suffering of children and families &ldquo;has shaken the conscience of the world.&rdquo; &ldquo;Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity. This must stop,&rdquo; she added, to applause in the European Parliament at its meeting in Strasbourg, France.
Von der Leyen's comments came the day after Israel's military warned Gaza City residents to evacuate ahead of its plans to take control of what it portrays as Hamas' last remaining stronghold and where hundreds of thousands of people remain under conditions of famine.
The warning came on Tuesday ahead of an Israeli strike targeting Hamas' leaders in Qatar, where negotiations over ending the war in Gaza appeared at a standstill. The warnings directed at Gaza City are the first calling for a full evacuation.
The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants abducted 251 people on October 7, 2023 and killed some 1,200 people, mostly Israeli civilians. Forty-eight hostages are still held inside Gaza, around 20 of them believed to be alive.
Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least more than 64,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or combatants. It says around half of those killed were women and children.
Large parts of major cities have been completely destroyed and around 90 per cent of some 2 million Palestinians have been displaced.&nbsp;

The EU introduces a hefty sanctions package against Russia, cutting the oil price cap and targeting Nord Stream pipelines to pressure Russia amidst the Ukraine conflict.

EU targets Russia's energy revenue, shadow fleet with new sanctions over war on Ukraine

The European Union announces severe sanctions against Russia, lowering the oil price cap, and banning Nord Stream pipeline transactions to pressure Russia over the Ukraine conflict.

The EU announced new sanctions against Russia, including reducing the oil price cap and banning Nord Stream transactions, to pressure Russia over the Ukraine conflict.

The European Union approved on Friday a new raft of sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine, including a lower oil price cap, a ban on transactions with Nord Stream gas pipelines, and the targeting of more shadow fleet ships, the EU foreign policy chief said.
&ldquo;The message is clear: Europe will not back down in its support for Ukraine. The EU will keep raising the pressure until Russia ends its war,&rdquo; Kaja Kallas said in a statement.
Kallas said the measures amount to &ldquo;one of its strongest sanctions packages against Russia to date&rdquo; linked to the war, now in its fourth year. It comes as European countries start to buy US weapons for Ukraine to help the country better defend itself.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new measures, describing them as a &ldquo;timely and necessary&rdquo; step amid intensified Russian attacks.
&ldquo;All infrastructure of Russia's war must be blocked,&rdquo; Zelenskyy said, adding that Ukraine will synchronise its sanctions with the EU and introduce its own additional measures soon.
The European Commission, the EU's executive branch, had proposed to lower the oil price cap from $60 to $45, which is lower than the market price to target Russia's vast energy revenues. The 27 member countries decided to set the price per barrel at just under $48.
The EU had hoped to get major international powers in the Group of Seven countries involved in the price cap to broaden the impact, but conflict in the Middle East pushed up oil prices and the Trump administration could not be brought onboard.
In 2023, Ukraine's Western allies limited sales of Russian oil to $60 per barrel but the price cap was largely symbolic as most of Moscow's crude &mdash; its main moneymaker &mdash; cost less than that. Still, the cap was there in case oil prices rose.
Oil income is the linchpin of Russia's economy, allowing President Vladimir Putin to pour money into the armed forces without worsening inflation for everyday people and avoiding a currency collapse.
A new import ban was also imposed in an attempt to close a loophole allowing Russia to indirectly export crude oil via a number of non-EU countries.
The EU also targeted the Nord Stream pipelines between Russia and Germany to prevent Putin from generating any revenue from them in future, notably by discouraging would-be investors. Russian energy giant Rosneft's refinery in India was hit as well.
The pipelines were built to carry Russian natural gas to Germany but are not in operation. They were targeted by sabotage in 2022, but the source of the underwater explosions has remained a major international mystery.
On top of that, the new EU sanctions targeted Russia's banking sector, with the aim of limiting the Kremlin's ability to raise funds or carry out financial transactions. Two Chinese banks were added to the list.
The EU has slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia since Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine in February 24, 2022.
More than 2,400 officials and &ldquo;entities&rdquo; &mdash; often government agencies, banks, companies or organisations &mdash; have been hit with asset freezes and travel bans.
But each round of sanctions is getting harder to agree, as measures targeting Russia bite the economies of the 27 member nations. Slovakia held up the latest package over concerns about proposals to stop Russian gas supplies, which it relies on.
The last raft of EU sanctions, imposed on May 20, targeted almost 200 ships in Russia's sanction-busting shadow fleet of tankers. On Friday, 105 more ships were blocked from European ports, locks and from ship-to-ship transfers, bringing the total number of vessels now sanctioned to more than 400.

India and EU strengthen partnership in trade, security, and technology, focusing on combating terrorism post-Pahalgam attack.

Jaishankar Meets EU President to Boost India-EU Ties

India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and European Commission President von der Leyen met to enhance India-EU relations, focusing on trade, security, and combating terrorism, with commitments for a strategic partnership and Free Trade Agreement.

India and EU leaders met to strengthen ties, focusing on trade, technology, security, and condemning terrorism post-Pahalgam attack.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen here and praised her "strong condemnation" of the Pahalgam attack and solidarity in combating terrorism.
Jaishankar called on the top EU leader during his visit to Belgium and Luxembourg.
"Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen this morning. Welcomed her strong condemnation of terrorist attack in Pahalgam and solidarity in combatting terrorism," he said in an X post.
The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack claimed 26 lives, following which tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
During the meeting, Jaishankar and von der Leyen also discussed efforts that are underway to deepen the India-EU partnership.
"Agreed on the potential benefits of stronger cooperation in trade, technology, connectivity and security for both our regions," Jaishankar added.
Von der Leyen also took to X after the meeting and said, "The EU-India strategic partnership is getting stronger." "We&rsquo;re working on a Strategic Agenda based on growth with an ambitious FTA, tech &amp; innovation and security &amp; defence. I look forward to adopting it with @narendramodi at our next Summit," she said.
In June 2022, India and the 27-nation bloc resumed negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, an investment protection agreement and a pact on Geographical Indications after a gap of over eight years.
The negotiations stalled in 2013 due to differences over the level of opening up of the markets.
On February 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission chief agreed to seal the much-awaited free trade deal by the end of this year.
Jaishankar met members of the European Parliament on Monday along with the Indian Ambassador to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg, Saurabh Kumar.
In a post on X, he said it was &ldquo;good to meet&rdquo; David McAllister, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Sandro Gozi, Chair of the Delegation to EU-UK Parliamentary Assembly, and Greek parliamentarian Nikos Papandreou.
The meetings followed an interaction with members of the Indian community on Monday evening.
Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held wide-ranging discussions with his Belgium counterpart Maxime Prevot on deepening bilateral cooperation, including in trade, investment, technology, defence and security, clean energy and mobility.
During his week-long tour of Europe, Jaishankar will also hold talks with leaders of the European Union and France to boost bilateral ties and reaffirm India's policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism.

India and the EU convened in New Delhi to enhance collaboration on connectivity, green energy, and security, while exploring the Mediterranean and EU expansion.

India-EU Bilateral Cluster Meeting Highlights

India and the European Union convened in New Delhi to deepen cooperation in connectivity, green energy, and security, while discussing Mediterranean strategies and EU expansion.

India and the EU held a significant meeting in New Delhi, focusing on connectivity, green energy, security, and potential EU expansion.

India and the European Union convened a bilateral cluster meeting in New Delhi on Friday, focusing on key areas such as connectivity, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), green and clean energy, mobility and talent, security, the Mediterranean, and the EU's expansion.
The meeting saw the participation of several high-ranking officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, and EU Commissioner for Mediterranean and Demography Dubravka Suica.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Pleased to participate in the India-EU bilateral cluster meeting this morning alongside Commissioners @JozefSikela, @dubravkasuica, @MartaKosEU, @magnusbrunner of @EU_Commission and my colleagues @KVSinghMPGonda &amp; @nityanandraibjp."
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Pleased to participate in the India-EU bilateral cluster meeting this morning alongside Commissioners <a href="https://twitter.com/JozefSikela?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JozefSikela</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/dubravkasuica?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dubravkasuica</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MartaKosEU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MartaKosEU</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/magnusbrunner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@magnusbrunner</a> of <a href="https://twitter.com/EU_Commission?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EU_Commission</a> and my colleagues <a href="https://twitter.com/KVSinghMPGonda?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KVSinghMPGonda</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/nityanandraibjp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nityanandraibjp</a>. Our conversation focused on connectivity and&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/nFEMJAWKDj">pic.twitter.com/nFEMJAWKDj</a>
&mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1895351232044171336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
He further added, "Our conversation focused on connectivity and IMEC, green and clean energy, mobility and talent, security, Mediterranean and EU expansion."
A day earlier, Jaishankar met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and commended her commitment to strengthening India's engagement with Europe.&nbsp;
"Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen today in Delhi. Appreciate her thoughts on reenergizing India's engagement with Europe. The wide-ranging participation of Indian Ministers and EU College of Commissioners during this visit stands testimony to the importance we place on deeper India-EU ties," he shared on X.
Von der Leyen is on a two-day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of the European College of Commissioners. Upon her arrival in Delhi, she was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel.&nbsp;
Expressing her views on X, she wrote, "Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I'll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level."
This marks Ursula von der Leyen&rsquo;s third visit to India. She previously visited in April 2022 for a bilateral official visit and again in September 2023 for the G20 Leaders' Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and von der Leyen have also engaged in regular discussions during multilateral meetings.

The EU has condemned Trump’s decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, vowing firm retaliation to protect its economic interests.

EU leaders vow 'firm' response to US tariffs

The EU has condemned Trump&rsquo;s decision to impose 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, vowing firm retaliation to protect its economic interests.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed on Tuesday to retaliate firmly against US President Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also said the European Union would present a united front and "act together as the largest market in the world".
Trump signed executive orders to impose 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from March 12, despite warnings from Europe and China.
"I deeply regret the US decision to impose tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports," European Commission president von der Leyen said in a statement.
"Unjustified tariffs on the EU will not go unanswered -- they will trigger firm and proportionate countermeasures. The EU will act to safeguard its economic interests. We will protect our workers, businesses and consumers," she added.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said it was "a lose&ndash;lose scenario", warning that tariffs were "economically counterproductive".
"By imposing tariffs, the US will be taxing its own citizens, raising costs for its own business, and fuelling inflation," he told the EU parliament in Strasbourg, France.
In one executive order, Trump said: "As of March 12, 2025, all imports of aluminum articles and derivative aluminium articles from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Mexico, EU countries, and the UK shall be subject to the additional ad valorem tariff."
He issued a separate order for steel, which said it would apply to all imports from the same countries the aluminium tariffs hit, as well as to Brazil, Japan and South Korea.
The US president indicated further additional customs duties could be on the way for cars, pharmaceuticals and computer chips.
His latest orders will feel like deja vu for Europe.
In 2018, Trump slapped tariffs during his first presidency on steel and aluminium exports -- forcing the EU to respond with its own higher duties.
The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU also said on Tuesday that it opposed Trump's decision, warning it would "have a wide-reaching and overwhelmingly negative impact on jobs, prosperity and security on both sides of the Atlantic".

EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Monday cautioned that there would be no winners in a trade war with the United States, expressing their readiness to retaliate if President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on the bloc. 

EU leaders vow to hit back if Trump triggers trade war

EU leaders meeting in Brussels on Monday cautioned that there would be no winners in a trade war with the United States, expressing their readiness to retaliate if President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on the bloc.&nbsp;

EU leaders meeting in Brussels Monday warned there would be no winners in a trade war with the United States, insisting they would hit back if President Donald Trump imposes tariffs.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the European Union must show its muscle if US President Donald Trump makes good on his threat to target the bloc with a volley of tariffs.
"If we are attacked in terms of trade, Europe -- as a true power -- will have to stand up for itself," Macron said.
The leaders of the EU's 27 nations were huddling in the Belgian capital with Britain's prime minister and the head of NATO to discuss efforts to boost Europe's defences faced with an aggressive Russia -- as Trump's demands that American allies spend much more.
But the discussions were overshadowed by the US leader's decision to slap tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China -- with Trump threatening to target EU next.
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whose country currently holds the EU presidency, said everything must be done to avoid a "totally unnecessary and stupid" trade war.
Trump has not hidden his enmity for the EU, accusing it of treating the United States "very, very unfairly" on trade.
After slapping levies on his North American neighbours and China, Trump doubled down on Sunday by saying he "definitely" planned to target the EU in future.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said a trade dispute would be "bad for the US, bad for Europe", with transatlantic "cooperation" preferable for both sides.
"We can also react," he added, veering from Germany's traditionally cautious approach to transatlantic trade relations.
"We need America, and America needs us as well," echoed the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, adding there were "no winners in trade wars".
On Sunday, the European Commission said it would retaliate "firmly" if Trump hit it and decried his sweeping measures against Canada, Mexico and China.
"Tariffs create unnecessary economic disruption and drive inflation. They are hurtful to all sides," a commission spokesman said.
Up until then Brussels had said it hoped to avoid a trade conflict with Trump through negotiation.
Later European Council chief Antonio Costa held a night phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
"Both leaders underscored the importance of the EU-Canada bilateral relationship and confirmed their determination to continue to working together," an EU official said.
Since Trump was re-elected in November, Brussels has been working to diversify its trading partnerships, announcing in recent weeks both a strengthened trade deal with Mexico and the resumption of talks on a free trade deal with Malaysia.
Back in 2018, during his first term, Trump imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminium exports -- leading the EU to respond with its own higher duties.

US President-elect Trump warns the European Union to address the US trade deficit through large-scale oil and gas purchases or face potential tariffs, signaling a shift in trade relations.

Trump threatens tariffs if EU doesn't buy more oil, gas

Trump, who takes office in January, has made sweeping threats of slapping tariffs on US trading partners -- including Canada, Mexico and China -- which could send reverberations across the global economy.

US president-elect Donald Trump on Friday threatened the European Union with tariffs if the bloc does not reduce its "tremendous" trade gap with Washington through oil and gas purchases.
"I told the European Union that they must make up their tremendous deficit with the United States by the large scale purchase of our oil and gas," Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Friday.
"Otherwise, it is TARIFFS all the way!!!"
According to US figures, goods imports from the EU were $553.3 billion in 2022, while its exports to the bloc were $350.8 billion.
This puts the US goods trade deficit with the EU at $202.5 billion that year.
Trump, who takes office in January, has made sweeping threats of slapping tariffs on US trading partners -- including Canada, Mexico and China -- which could send reverberations across the global economy.
Accusing Canada and Mexico of allowing the United States to be flooded with illicit drugs and undocumented migrants, he had announced a 25 percent import tariffs, while also vowing at least 10 percent against China, Washington's Asia-Pacific rival.
Canada, Mexico and China make up three of the biggest US trading partners.
Earlier this month, the European Union concluded a massive trade deal with four South American countries -- Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay -- which aims to create a 700-million-customer free-trade area.
EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen had said the agreement would build trade bridges as "strong winds are blowing in the opposite direction, towards isolation and fragmentation" -- comments largely seen as a nod to Trump's threats to hike tariffs.
Some analysts have said Trump's tariff threat could be bluster, or an opening shot for leverage in future trade negotiations when he comes into office.
But Trump has continually insisted that "properly used" tariffs would be positive for the US economy.
"Our country right now loses to everybody," he told reporters at his Florida residence earlier this week. "Tariffs will make our country rich."

Informal discussions should start with a powerful trio -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni -- on the sidelines of a G7 summit from Thursday.

EU vote strengthens Ursula von der Leyen bid to keep top job

Informal discussions should start with a powerful trio -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni -- on the sidelines of a G7 summit from Thursday.

As the dust settled Monday from EU elections, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen appeared in prime position to secure a new term -- but she'll need to wheel and deal to lock it in.
While the headline from the night was gains for the far right that unleashed a political earthquake in France, German conservative von der Leyen, 65, appeared among the other main winners.
She saw her centre-right European People's Party (EPP) strengthen its grip on first place in the European Parliament -- as centrist forces maintained an overall majority.
"We won the European elections," a smiling von der Leyen told her grouping as the results were announced.
In theory that looks like opening up the road for the former defence minister to win another five years at the helm of the EU's powerful executive.
But she still faces a nail-biting push to win over EU leaders and shore up enough support in the new parliament.
"The outcome puts European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in pole position to secure a second term," wrote Mujtaba Rahman, analyst at Eurasia Group.
But he added: "There is still a real risk of her not being confirmed by EU lawmakers, given possible defections from the centre right, centre left, and liberals."
The first step for von der Leyen will be getting the backing of a weighted majority of EU leaders -- 15 out of 27, representing 65 percent of the bloc's population.
Informal discussions should start with a powerful trio -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni -- on the sidelines of a G7 summit from Thursday.
That will be followed up next week when all EU leaders meet for dinner in Brussels -- and then decision time should come at a crunch summit at the end of June.
"The EPP's lead candidate, von der Leyen, has a good chance of securing the nomination," said Deutsche Bank analyst Marion Muehlberger, pointing out that a dozen of the bloc's leaders come from the same group as her.
"However, the Council's negotiations on EU top jobs are not entirely predictable and a surprise candidate -- although it seems unlikely -- cannot be entirely ruled out."
Von der Leyen herself was a surprise pick last time around in 2019 -- chosen in a backroom deal after leaders swatted away several frontrunners.
Scholz and Macron have both emerged weakened from the EU vote after stinging losses to the far right -- with the French leader gambling on snap national elections in response.
Before the elections, von der Leyen had already begun courting hard-right leader Meloni, who emerged stronger after a decisive victory for her party.
This time, as ever, it will take arm-twisting and offers of influential jobs in Brussels to the key countries to guarantee support.
But analysts broadly agree von der Leyen should end up with enough leaders on board.
<h3>Doing the sums</h3>
The quest for a simple majority in parliament on the other hand could prove tougher -- ahead of a secret ballot pencilled in for mid-July.
The sums should be comforting for von der Leyen.
Adding the EPP's 185 seats, to those of the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&amp;D) and liberal Renew who backed her last time gives a comfortable majority of 401 in the 720-seat legislature, according to provisional results.
But it's not quite so simple.
Allegiances in the European Parliament can be notoriously fluid, and political families often don't vote as cohesive blocs.
"Simple mathematics gives her a majority, but there isn't even unanimity on her within the EPP," said Pascale Joannin from the Schuman Foundation think tank.
"Her election will depend on the programme she sets out and she needs to keep on campaigning to make sure she convinces."
Last time von der Leyen scraped through by nine votes.
Talking Monday to her German party members, von der Leyen said she would focus first on securing support from S&amp;D and Renew.
"But that leaves other doors open," she said.
The Greens -- who saw their vote drop across Europe -- have already signalled they could give their backing.
In return, she'd likely have to give assurances she won't backtrack on the EU's environmental ambitions.
Otherwise, she could seek a deal with Meloni and her post-fascist Brothers of Italy grouping -- potentially skewing the EU further to the right.
"My expectation remains that von der Leyen will want to get elected by a centre-majority with EPP, S&amp;D and Renew, plus cooperation with Meloni in the European Council," wrote Nicolai von Ondarza, analyst at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.
"But this potential liberal/centre-right/national conservative coalition will really change the dynamics in EU policy-making."
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/unsc-adopts-resolution-for-cease-fire-in-israel-hamas-war-1718070446515">UNSC adopts resolution for cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war</a>

Analysts say Macron has taken the risky gamble of dissolving the national parliament to keep the far-right out of power when his second term ends in 2027.

Macron urges French to make 'right choice' in election gamble

Analysts say Macron has taken the risky gamble of dissolving the national parliament to keep the far-right out of power when his second term ends in 2027.

President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that he was confident French voters would make the "right choice" in snap elections he called after the far right crushed his centrist alliance in Sunday's EU ballot.
His surprise move came after mainstream centrist parties kept an overall majority in the European Parliament in Sunday's elections, but the far right notched up a string of high-profile victories in Italy, Austria and France.
In Germany, where the three governing coalition parties also performed dismally, centre-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz's spokesman ruled out a snap vote.
Analysts say Macron has taken the risky gamble of dissolving the national parliament in a bid to keep the far-right National Rally (RN) out of power when his second term ends in 2027.
"I am confident in the capacity of the French people to make the right choice for themselves and for future generations," Macron wrote on X on Monday.
His announcement of elections for a new National Assembly on June 30, with a second round on July 7, has sparked widespread alarm, even from within the ranks of his party.
"By playing with fire, the head of state could end up by burning himself and dragging the entire country into the fire," Le Monde wrote in an editorial.
Despite the storm of criticism, Macron appeared unfazed Monday as he visited the site of a massacre by Nazi soldiers during World War II together with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
He was seen shaking hands with Karin Eideloth, a descendant of Adolf Heinrich, one of the perpetrators of the massacre at the southwestern French village of Oradour-sur-Glane.
"In a place like here, we are aware of the danger of far-right ideology," she said.
Steinmeier said: "Let us never forget the damage done in Europe by nationalism and hate."
<h3>A far-right premier?</h3>
Back in Paris, even some Macron allies expressed dissent over his latest announcement.
Lower-house speaker Yael Braun-Pivet, a senior figure within Macron's party, indicated that forming a coalition with other parties could have been a better "path".
"The president believed that this path did not exist," she told television channel France 2.
Meanwhile, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a Socialist, described the prospect of elections just weeks before the start of the Paris Olympics as "extremely unsettling".
But International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach played down any direct impact on the event.
In a televised address late Sunday, Macron warned of the danger of "the rise of nationalists and demagogues" for France and its place in Europe.
He noted that, including the RN, far-right parties in France had managed to take almost 40 percent of the EU Parliament vote.
Macron hopes to win back the majority he lost in France's lower house in 2022 legislative elections after winning a second term.
But some fear the anti-immigration RN could instead win, forcing Macron to work in an uncomfortable coalition with a far-right prime minister.
RN vice-president Sebastien Chenu said the party's 28-year-old leader Jordan Bardella would be its contender for the post.
Bardella's mentor Marine Le Pen, who was runner-up in the last two presidential elections, has remained party leader in parliament and is largely expected to tilt for the top job again in 2027.
The far right came out on top in France, Italy and Austria, and second in Germany and the Netherlands.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/meloni-gets-domestic-european-boost-from-eu-election-win-1718019410167">Meloni gets domestic, European boost from EU election win</a>

These countries work together to make decisions about things like trade, laws, and helping each other out. Just like in a club, being part of the EU means you agree to follow certain rules and work together with the other members.

EU Explained | All you need to know about European Parliament elections

These countries work together to make decisions about things like trade, laws, and helping each other out. Just like in a club, being part of the EU means you agree to follow certain rules and work together with the other members.

Nearly 400 million European Union citizens can go to the polls over the coming days to elect members of the European Parliament, or MEPs, in one of the biggest global democratic events.
Far-right parties are seeking to gain more power amid a rise in the cost of living and farmers' discontent, while the wars in Gaza and Ukraine stay on the minds of voters.
One of the biggest questions is whether European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will remain in charge as the public face of the EU.
Here is a look at the election, which runs Thursday to Sunday, and the biggest issues at stake: WHEN IS THE VOTE?
EU elections are held every five years across the 27-member bloc. This year marks the 10th parliamentary election since the first polls in 1979, and the first after Brexit.
The vote takes place from June 6-9. Initial results can only be revealed on the evening of June 9, once polling stations have closed in all member states.
HOW DOES VOTING WORK?
The elections started on Thursday in the Netherlands and finish on Sunday, when most countries hold their election. The voting is done by direct universal suffrage in a single ballot.
The number of members elected in each country depends on the size of the population. It ranges from six for Malta, Luxembourg and Cyprus to 96 for Germany. In 2019, Europeans elected 751 lawmakers. Following the United Kingdom's departure from the EU in 2020, the number of MEPs fell to 705 with some of the 73 seats previously held by British MEPs redistributed to other member states.
After the election, the European Parliament will have 15 additional members, bringing the total to 720. Twelve countries will get extra MEPs.
National political parties contest elections, but once they are elected, most of the lawmakers then join transnational political groups.
WHO IS VOTING?
People under 18 are allowed to vote in some countries. In Belgium, a law adopted in 2022 lowered the minimum voting age to 16. Germany, Malta and Austria are also permitting 16-year-olds to vote. In Greece, the youngest voting age is 17. In all other member states, it's 18.
A minimum age is also required to stand for election &mdash; from 18 in most countries to 25 in Italy and Greece.
WHAT ABOUT TURNOUT?
European Union elections usually don't bring a huge turnout, but there was a clear upturn in public interest in the 2019 election. At 50.7 per cent, the turnout was eight points higher than in 2014 after steadily falling since 1979, when it reached 62 per cent.
In April, the latest edition of the European Parliament's Eurobarometer highlighted a surge of interest in the upcoming election. Around 71 per cent of Europeans said they are likely to cast a ballot.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN ISSUES? Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is at the forefront of citizens' minds, with defense and security seen as key campaign issues. At national level, the EU's defence and security was mentioned first in nine countries.
The economy, jobs, poverty and social exclusion, public health, climate change and the future of Europe are also featuring prominently as issues.
WHAT DO EU LAWMAKERS DO? The European Parliament is the only EU institution to be elected by European citizens. It's a real counterpower to the powerful EU's executive arm, the European Commission.
The parliament doesn't have the initiative to propose legislation, but its powers are expanding. It is now competent on a wide range of topics, voting on laws relating to climate, banking rules, agriculture, fisheries, security or justice. The legislature also votes on the EU budget, which is crucial to the implementation of European policies, including, for instance, aid delivered to Ukraine.
Lawmakers are also a key element of the check and balances system since they need to approve the nomination of all EU commissioners, who are the equivalent of ministers. It can also force the whole commission to resign with a vote of a two-third majority.
WHAT'S THE CURRENT MAKEUP OF THE PARLIAMENT? With 176 seats out of 705 as of the end of the last plenary session in April, the center-right European People's Party is the largest political group in the European Parliament.
Von der Leyen is from the EPP and hopes to remain at the helm of the EU's executive arm after the election.
The second-largest group is the S and D, the political group of the centre-left Party of European Socialists, which currently holds 139 seats. The pro-business liberal and pro-European Renew group holds 102 seats ahead of an alliance made up of green and regionalist political parties that holds 72 seats.
FAR RIGHT LOOKS TO MAKE GAINS Two groups with far-right parties, the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and Identity and Democracy (ID), could be headed to becoming the third- and fourth-largest political groups at the European Parliament. The two groups have many divergences and it's unclear to what extent they could team up to affect the EU's agenda, especially the EU's efforts to support Ukraine against Russia in the war.
The EPP and S and D are expected to remain stable. Pro-business liberals and greens could both take a hit after they made big gains at the previous election.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ELECTION? Once the weight of each political force is determined, MEPs will elect their president at the first plenary session, from July 16-19. Then, most likely in September after weeks of negotiations, they will nominate the president of the European Commission, following a proposal made by the member states.
In 2019, von der Leyen won a narrow majority (383 votes in favour, 327 against, 22 abstentions) to become the first woman to head the institution. Parliamentarians will also hear from the European commissioners before approving them in a single vote.
Von der Leyen has good chances to be appointed for another term, but she needs to secure the support of enough leaders. She has also antagonized many lawmakers by suggesting she could work with the hard right depending on the outcome of the elections.

Abortion remains heavily restricted in many European countries, including strongly Catholic Poland and Malta.&nbsp;

EU lawmakers call to make abortion a fundamental right

Abortion remains heavily restricted in many European countries, including strongly Catholic Poland and Malta. 

Abortion remains heavily restricted in many European countries, including strongly Catholic Poland and Malta.&nbsp;

European lawmakers on Thursday backed a call to include access to abortion in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, in a symbolic move after France enshrined the right in its constitution.
The European Parliament passed the non-binding resolution by 336 votes to 163 with support from centrist and left-wing groups.
But the right to "safe and legal abortion" has almost no chance of inclusion in the bloc's legally-binding charter which would require unanimous agreement by the EU's 27 countries.
The right to abortion remains heavily restricted in EU countries including strongly Catholic Poland and Malta. Polish lawmakers on Thursday opened a debate on liberalising abortion laws, but splits in the ruling coalition made the outcome uncertain.
The EU parliament vote followed France last month becoming the first EU nation to include the right to abortion in its constitution.
French President Emmanuel Macron said at the time he would push for abortion to be in the EU rights charter.
The EU debate comes amid increased attention on abortion rights in the United States after the US Supreme Court in 2022 overturned a nationwide right to terminate a pregnancy.
During the vote in the European Parliament, far-left French MEP Manon Aubry decried "attacks by the extreme right and reactionaries" against the resolution.
"The right to abortion is not a question of opinion -- it is a human right," she told &nbsp;parliament. "The right to abortion does not kill, on the contrary it saves lives."

EU lowers the prediction for 2023 to 0.8% and 2024 to 1.4% due to inflation and higher interest rates

Europe's economic outlook worsens as high prices plague consumers

EU lowers the prediction for 2023 to 0.8% and 2024 to 1.4% due to inflation and higher interest rates

The European Union lowered its economic growthforecast for 2023 and 2024, saying inflation is taking a heavy toll on people's willingness to spend in shops &mdash; while higher interest rates are sharply restricting the credit needed for investment and purchases.
The revised forecast Monday from the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, comes as fears of recession grows and as the European Central Bank faces a key decision this week on whether to keep raising rates, which are aimed at getting inflation under control.
The 20 countries that use the euro currency are expected to see growth of 0.8 per cent this year instead of 1.1 per cent projected in the spring forecast, the commission said. For next year, growth expectations were lowered to 1.3 per cent from 1.6 per cent.
For the broader 27-country EU, the forecast also was lowered to 0.8per cent from 1 per cent this year and to 1.4 per cent from 1.7 per cent next year.
"Weakness in domestic demand, in particular consumption, shows that high and still increasing consumer prices for most goods and services are taking a heavier toll than expected," a commission statement said.
EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said at a news conference that &ldquo;further weakening in the coming months&rdquo; was foreseen as the economy faces &ldquo;multiple headwinds.&rdquo; One source of uncertainty is how far the ECB will go on interest rates &mdash; more expensive credit restrains economic growth in some areas such as real estate, but if higher rates succeed in lowering inflation, that would boost consumer spending power.
Recession fears have grown even after the eurozone scraped through the winter without one, recording stagnant growth of 0.1 per cent in the first two quarters of this year.
Surveys of purchasing managers show that economic activity is contracting in all major eurozone economies, according to Alexander Valentin, senior economist at Oxford Economics, data that &ldquo;add to mounting recession risks.&rdquo; A key source of weakness has been Germany, whose manufacturing- and export-oriented economy has been hit by higher energy prices and slowing demand in China, a key trade partner.
The commission cut its forecast for Europe's largest economy this year to minus 0.4 per cent.
Germany is the only major economy expected to shrink this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, which foresees a decline of 0.3 per cent.
It will take time for Germany to address its issues with energy costs, Gentiloni said: &ldquo;You don't solve this in a couple of weeks." But he added that "this is a strong economy with the tools and the possibility to recover.&rdquo; Despite near-zero growth, the state of the larger eurozone economy doesn't resemble a typical recession, because unemployment is at record lows and wages are gradually catching up to the purchasing power lost to inflation as workers demand and get more.
Energy prices have declined since their brutal spike tied to Russia's war in Ukraine, while food inflation keeps declining. Annual inflation was 5.3 per cent in July, down from the peak of 10.6 per cent in October.
The eurozone suffered twin shocks from the invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia cut off most of its natural gas to Europe, sending prices skyrocketing and starting a scramble to line up more expensive alternative supplies.
The economic rebound from the pandemic sent consumer prices higher as demand for goods created bottlenecks in supplies of raw materials and parts, which have now mostly eased.
Higher prices spread to food and then services, a broad category ranging from haircuts and hotel stays to medical treatments and car repairs.
Prospects of weakening economic growth have led some economists to predict the European Central Bank may avoid raising interest rates Thursday following nine straight hikes.
ECB President Christine Lagarde has said the decision is open and will be made based on available data.
In just over a year, the central bank has raised its benchmark deposit rate from minus 0.5 per cent to 3.75 per cent, the fastest pace since the euro currency launched in 1999.
The downgrade in the EU forecast comes as the euro trades lower against the US dollar &mdash; at USD 1.07, down from about USD 1.12 in late July.
One reason is an ongoing rally in the dollar, which has recorded gains against other major currencies for eight straight weeks as the market increasingly sees economic weakness in China and Europe instead of in the US.
A weaker euro can complicate life for the ECB by increasing the price of imported goods &mdash; such as energy &mdash; that are priced in dollars. On the other hand, it makes European exports more competitive in price.&nbsp;

EU Presidency urges IOC ban on Russian, Belarusian athletes from 2024 Paris Games amid Ukraine war.

European Union Presidency urges IOC to ban Russian athletes at Olympics

The European Union's Presidency wants the IOC to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from the Paris Olympics in 2024.

#Paris2024 #EU #IOC

EU Presidency urges IOC ban on Russian, Belarusian athletes from 2024 Paris Games amid Ukraine war.

The European Union's Presidency urged the International Olympic Committee to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from next year's Paris Games, yet said on Monday a boycott by the 27-nation bloc was not on the table.
Sweden's Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed said the IOC should reconsider its position to let Russian and Belarusian athletes compete as neutrals in international sport despite the war in Ukraine.
Sweden holds the EU&rsquo;s powerful presidency until July.
Carrying the role allows a member nation to help set the EU&rsquo;s tone and the 27-nation bloc's agenda.
Asked whether EU nations should use the threat of a collective boycott to pressure the IOC to backpedal, Forssmed said that option was not being discussed right now.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re not there,&rdquo; he said on the margins of a gathering of sports ministers in Brussels.
&ldquo;But I do think that the International Olympic Committee, they really risk a trust issue here if they are not listening, and also making sure that no Russian athletes can represent Russia in any way at the Olympics.&rdquo;
The IOC favours allowing Russians and Belarusians to compete as neutral athletes without national symbols as qualifying ramps up for next year&rsquo;s Olympics.
The IOC - which last year recommended excluding Russian competitors on security grounds but now argues that would be discriminatory - has left the final decision to the governing bodies in each sport.
Eligibility should be limited to athletes and officials who have not actively supported the war, nor have ties to the military and state security agencies.
No clear definitions for eligibility were yet stated.
Some of the Russian athletes who competed at the judo world championships earlier this month had previously been listed in statements by the Russian Defense Ministry or the Central Sports Club of the Army, known as CSKA, as holding military ranks.
Although a large majority of EU countries are opposing Russian and Belarusian competing in Paris, finding a unanimous voice has been so far impossible.
Hungary, which has vocally opposed EU sanctions against Moscow arguing they were doing more damage to European economies than to Russia, is not supporting a ban.
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EU officials added that "security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law".

Sudan civil war: European Union envoy attacked inside home in Khartoum

EU officials added that "security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law".

Amid a raging civil war in Sudan, the European Union said that its ambassador to the African nation was attacked inside his residence on 17 April 2023.
European Union officials said that 58-year-old diplomat Aidan O'Hara was "assaulted" at home in Khartoum, but did not reveal details about any injuries.
EU officials added that "security of diplomatic premises and staff is a primary responsibility of Sudanese authorities and an obligation under international law".
&nbsp;

The EU's AI laws will be centred around ChatGPT and the likes.

EU lawmakers to finalise draft AI rules by March

The EU's AI laws will be centred around ChatGPT and the likes.

There is intense debate over how AI should be governed, and EU lawmakers hope to form a draft on AI rules by March 2023. The rules will aim to tackle concerns around ChatGPT and the likes. &nbsp;
One area of contention is the definition of general purpose AI, which is seen as high risk by some.
The lawmakers believe that in 2023, there are going to be some exponential leaps forward not only for ChatGPT but for a lot of other general purpose machines. So, they are trying to write some basic rules ensuring judicious use of this technology.
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Some EU countries like Italy, France, and Spain have already implemented the measure, as per reports.

Covid: Despite China's anger, EU advises member-nations to make pre-departure testing mandatory

Some EU countries like Italy, France, and Spain have already implemented the measure, as per reports.

Even as China has threatened retaliation against countries imposing special rules on travellers from the country, the European Union on 4 January 2023 issued a "strong" advisory.
European Union officials "encouraged" member states to make Covid testing mandatory before departure for travellers from China.
Some EU countries like Italy, France, and Spain have already implemented the measure, as per reports. Following a week of talks between EU health experts, the bloc stopped short of fully imposing on all 27 member states such a travel restriction.
A day after threatening countermeasures, Chinese government spokesperson Mao Ning said on 4 January that "we sincerely hope that all parties will focus on fighting the epidemic itself, avoid the politicization of Covid."
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As well as pre-departure testing, EU nations are likely to agree on special testing of wastewater in planes coming from China to see if it contains dangerous variants that are not common on the continent yet.
(With AP inputs)

User-replaceable batteries for phones, which are now thought to be a thing of the past, might make a significant comeback.

New EU legislation might bring user-replaceable batteries back

User-replaceable batteries for phones, which are now thought to be a thing of the past, might make a significant comeback.
&nbsp;

Looks like the European Union is on fire. First it mandated USB-C on devices, then it forced smartphone manufacturers to open their devices to third-party app stores, and now it has reached a provisional agreement mandating user-replaceable batteries for portable devices.
If this bill passes, manufacturers would have three and a half years to redesign their portable gadgets so that customers can simply remove and replace their batteries.
Smartphones with user-replaceable batteries were once the standard, but they are now exceedingly rare because every brand starting making iPhone-like unibody designs.
This accord was primarily motivated by environmental considerations. The proposal establishes minimum recycling rates for battery components as follows: 16 percent for cobalt, 85 percent for lead, 6 percent for lithium, and 6 percent for nickel.
To fuel the recycling process, the EU will require the collection of old batteries: at least 45 percent of old batteries must be collected by 2023, 63 percent by 2027, and 73 percent by 2030 for portable batteries.&nbsp;
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&nbsp;

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, his military forces have been accused of abuses ranging from killings in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha to deadly attacks on civilian facilities

EU seeks specialised court to investigate Russia war crimes

The European Union proposed Wednesday to set up a U.N.-backed specialised court to investigate possible war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, and to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild the war-torn country.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, his military forces have been accused of abuses ranging from killings in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha to deadly attacks on civilian facilities

The European Union proposed Wednesday to set up a U.N.-backed specialised court to investigate possible war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, and to use frozen Russian assets to rebuild the war-torn country.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will work with international partners to get &ldquo;the broadest international support possible" for the tribunal, while continuing to support the work of the International Criminal Court.
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, his military forces have been accused of abuses ranging from killings in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha to deadly attacks on civilian facilities, including the March 16 bombing of a theater in Mariupol that an Associated Press investigation established likely killed close to 600 people.
Investigations of military crimes committed during the war in Ukraine are underway around Europe, and the Hague-based International Criminal Court has already launched investigations.
Von der Leyen said it is estimated that more than 20,000 Ukrainian civilians and more than 100,000 Ukrainian military officers have been killed since the start of the war.
Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska on Tuesday also urged that Ukraine's invaders be held account as she addressed lawmakers in London.
&ldquo;Victory is not the only thing we need. We need justice,&rdquo; she said, comparing Russian war crimes to the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany in World War II.
She called on Britain to lead efforts to set up a criminal tribunal to prosecute senior Russians over the invasion, similar to the postwar Nuremberg trials of leading Nazis.
Von der Leyen on Wednesday added that the 27-nation bloc wants to make Russia pay for the destruction it caused in neighboring Ukraine by using Russian assets frozen under sanctions.
She estimated the damage to Ukraine at 600 billion euros.
&ldquo;Russia and its oligarchs have to compensate Ukraine for the damage and cover the costs for rebuilding the country," von der Leyen said. &ldquo;We have the means to make Russia pay." Von der Leyen said 300 billion euros of the Russian central bank reserves has been immobilised, and that 19 billion euros of Russian oligarchs' money has been frozen.
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&ldquo;In the short term, we could create with our partners a structure to manage these funds and invest them," she said. &ldquo;We would then use the proceeds for Ukraine, and once the sanctions are lifted, these funds should be used so that Russia pays full compensation for the damages caused to Ukraine." The EU said the lifting of the restrictions on Russian assets could be linked to conclusion of a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia that would settle the question of damages reparation.&nbsp;

The European Union's next steps for addressing the continent's worsening energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine are expected to be unveiled next week following an extraordinary meeting of the European Union's energy ministers.

New sanctions on Russia in the waiting? European Union to unveil new 'solutions' to energy crisis

The European Union's next steps for addressing the continent's worsening energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine are expected to be unveiled next week following an extraordinary meeting of the European Union's energy ministers which will be held in Brussels on Friday. 

<div class="author-container hidden-xs">A decoupling of gas and energy prices, increase in liquidity for the market, and coordinated demand reduction could be part of the solutions.</div>

The European Union's next steps for addressing the continent's worsening energy crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine are expected to be unveiled next week, the European commissioner for energy said on September 6.&nbsp;
Many European countries have tightened their belts as energy costs soar.&nbsp;
Russia's state-run energy company has continued its shutdown of a pipeline carrying natural gas to Europe, in what German officials see as a political power play, and the European Commission president says the EU's electricity market &ldquo;is no longer operating&rdquo; amid knock-on effects from the Ukraine war.&nbsp;
An extraordinary meeting of the European Union's energy ministers will be held in Brussels on Friday to discuss a bloc-wide package of solutions to the power market cost spikes, European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson told AP in an interview.&nbsp;
She said the European Commission expects the package will be adopted next Tuesday, and that a decoupling of gas and energy prices, increase in liquidity for the market and coordinated demand reduction could be expected in it.&nbsp;
That could include a temporary capping of the price of gas used to produce electricity, modification of trading rules on energy exchanges and coordinated demand reduction measures like those seen over the summer.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We know that there are peak hours where our households and enterprises are witnessing extreme high hourly prices,&rdquo; she said in the interview at the European Delegation office in Jakarta.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Part of this proposal is also dealing with peak hours and how it will cut demand at these specific timeslots.&rdquo;&nbsp;
European nations have worked to get creative about energy alternatives. One short-term fix is roughly 20 floating terminals that would receive liquefied natural gas from other countries and convert it into natural gas for homes and businesses.&nbsp;
The plan, with the first floating terminals set to start delivering gas by year's end, has raised alarm among experts who fear the long-term consequences for the environment.&nbsp;
They warn that the terminals would perpetuate Europe's reliance on natural gas, which releases climate-warming methane and carbon dioxide when it's produced, transported and burned.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Right now, in this situation where Russia is using their natural gas supplies as a weapon, we have to take care to secure the supply.&nbsp;
And that means that some extraordinary investments are needed,&rdquo; Ms. Simson said when asked about the environmental concerns.&nbsp;
Ms. Simson also acknowledged that the global rising cost of gas has pushed some countries to resort to cheaper but more environmentally destructive energy sources.&nbsp;
&ldquo;We are taking responsibility,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The biggest step that we are making to not impact the global gas and LNG market is agreeing that we will cut our gas consumption.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The European Union has a binding commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.&nbsp; Natural gas has been promoted as a &ldquo;bridge fuel&rdquo; because in power plants it produces less carbon dioxide when burned than coal. But some experts are critical of the move.&nbsp;
&ldquo;For this winter we have made &mdash; and several national governments have made &mdash; a set of commitments to reduce energy consumption,&rdquo; Ms. Simson said. &ldquo;We will not achieve our climate targets unless we will prioritise energy savings.&rdquo; Ms. Simson also said that the current energy crisis in Europe has made it clearer that renewable energy such as solar and wind are essential for energy in the future.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Renewables do not only matter on the climate side, but they also allow us to take the responsibility for our consumption into our own hands,&rdquo; she said.&nbsp; Ms. Simson came to Indonesia to attend a meeting of the Group of 20 leading rich and developing countries in Bali.&nbsp;
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