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Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13492
Contents Publication in full By article 29 / 30
NEWS BRIEFS / North macedonia

Viktor Orbán sees himself as a mediator to resolve dispute between Skopje and Bulgaria

27/09/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 27 September, Hungary’s leader, Viktor Orbán, announced that he was offering to mediate in the conflict that has been raging between Bulgaria and North Macedonia for several years, and which is blocking Skopje’s progress towards European integration. Since 2020, neighbouring Bulgaria has been demanding that the country amend its Constitution to recognise its Bulgarian minority. Sofia does not recognise Macedonian as an independent language either, but as a dialect of Bulgarian. “It is up to the two parties to accept Hungary as a mediator, but we are ready and we want to work on it”, said Viktor Orbán. According to AFP, he made the offer during a State visit to North Macedonia. This persistent conflict prompted the EU to separate Albania’s accession process from that of North Macedonia, to allow Tirana to finally open its first accession negotiation chapters (see EUROPE 13491/12). (IS)

Contents

EXTERNAL ACTION
TRADE/ENVIRONMENT: without adjustments, the regulation against imported deforestation could be incompatible with WTO, according to an ECIPE report
LATIN AMERICA: Latin American and Caribbean countries call for indefinite postponement of EU Deforestation Regulation
VENEZUELA: EU and some thirty countries call for political will of Venezuelan people to be respected
MIDDLE EAST: EU and partners launch Global Alliance for the Two-State Solution
SUDAN: Germany, France, United States and EU again call on warring parties to cease hostilities and ensure humanitarian access
THAILAND: EU welcomes adoption of Marriage Equality Act
INSTITUTIONAL
EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN: ten potential candidates vying to succeed Emily O’Reilly
SECTORAL POLICIES
HEALTH: European Commission welcomes international declaration on combating antimicrobial resistance
AGRICULTURE/TRADE: EU’s agri-food surplus increased in first half of 2024
AGRICULTURE : some fifteen European ministers call for postponement of electronic register of pesticides
DIGITAL: €91 million fine imposed on Meta for infringement of EU personal data protection law
ENERGY: European Commission introduces a new “resilience” criterion for second European Hydrogen Bank auction
ENERGY: Claude Turmes believes “reopening” regulation on Energy Union governance must be avoided at all costs
ENERGY: European Commission seeks stakeholder comments on draft delegated act on ‘low-carbon’ hydrogen
ENERGY: European Hydrogen Infrastructure Map: stakeholders have until 16 October to submit new information
ENERGY: EU countries could save €9 billion on gas costs by harnessing surplus wind and solar energy
ENERGY/CLIMATE: Bruegel calls for closer EU-UK cooperation despite post-Brexit tensions
ENVIRONMENT: draft opinion of Committee of Regions considers implementation of ‘European Green Deal’ to be inadequate
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
BANKS: Finance Watch makes recommendations to improve banking prudential framework
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS - SOCIETAL ISSUES
GENDER EQUALITY: European Institute for Gender Equality publishes guidelines on best practice for data collection
NEWS BRIEFS
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Ursula von der Leyen to meet leaders of Switzerland and United Kingdom on 1 and 2 October
AFRICA: EU to support development of African Union counterterrorism plan
AGRICULTURE : COPA elects Italy’s Massimiliano Giansanti as its new president for next two years
STATE AID: European Commission authorises a Portuguese aid scheme to support transition of businesses to a net zero emissions economy
FUTURE OF EU: federalist MEPs regret that mission statements of European Commissioners-designate make no mention of possible treaty reform
CLIMATE: European Commission has adopted two delegated acts for extension of ‘EU ETS 2’ in Austria and Netherlands
ENERGY: ACER clarifies new REMIT obligations for non-EU market participants
IRAQ: EU concerned by increase in executions
NORTH MACEDONIA: Viktor Orbán sees himself as a mediator to resolve dispute between Skopje and Bulgaria
INTERNAL MARKET: European Commission consults on recognition of professional qualifications for veterinary surgeons