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Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13240

1 September 2023
Contents Publication in full By article 7 / 22
EXTERNAL ACTION / Australia
Disagreements persist between EU and Canberra in trade agreement talks
Brussels, 31/08/2023 (Agence Europe)

On Thursday 31 August, EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis spoke remotely with Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell. The latter’s visit to Brussels in July failed to conclude negotiations on the EU-Australia free trade agreement (see EUROPE B13220A29).

While the exchange on 31 August was “very useful”, in the words of Mr Dombrovskis, it did not resolve the outstanding issues or set a date for the next meeting. “We agreed to intensify discussions to conclude the Free Trade...

Contents

Russian invasion of Ukraine
UKRAINE: a “diplomatic counter-offensive” is underway, according to Dmytro Kuleba
AGRICULTURE: Janusz Wojciechowski proposes extending restrictions on Ukrainian cereal imports until end of 2023
EXTERNAL ACTION
NIGER/SAHEL: EU prepares to sanction coup leaders
GABON: EU rejects any seizure of power by force in Gabon and calls for restraint 
TUNISIA: agreement sealed between EU and Tunisia on economy and migration continues to draw criticism in European Parliament
ENLARGEMENT: Roberta Metsola believes discussions must be held to determine how EU should prepare for further enlargement
AUSTRALIA: disagreements persist between EU and Canberra in trade agreement talks
SECTORAL POLICIES
ENERGY: first European Parliament/EU Council negotiations on regulation on methane emission reductions
ENERGY: European Hydrogen Bank auction, Commission publishes terms and conditions of pilot project
ENERGY: objective of eliminating Russian fossil fuel imports into EU remains, says European Commission
AGRICULTURE: European Commission puts forward ideas to help pigmeat sector
TRANSPORT: according to T&E, European grid is not ready to take on charging heavy-duty vehicles
NEWS BRIEFS
WESTERN BALKANS: Josep Borrell announces ministerial meeting to be held with ministers from Western Balkans at end of September
CAUCASUS: European foreign ministers call on Azerbaijan to ensure freedom of movement around Lachine corridor
CLIMATE: Frans Timmermans’ head of cabinet could work in same position for potential successor, Commissioner-designate Wopke Hoekstra
COMPETITION: European Commission approves acquisition of BMS by EURAZEO, BCI and PCP
ECONOMY: Greece submits a revised recovery plan including a ‘REPowerEU’ chapter
ECONOMY: euro area inflation expected to reach 5.3% in August
POLAND: Polish government preparing for controversial commission on Russian influences to start work
NEAR EAST: Jean Asselborn wants to put situation in Near East back on European agenda
TRANSPORT: Clément Beaune wants to introduce a minimum fare for airline tickets
CORRIGENDUM
SOCIAL: next European Parliament/EU Council negotiations on digital platform workers directive to take place on 18 September