login
login
Image header Agence Europe
Europe Daily Bulletin No. 13666
Contents Publication in full By article 4 / 41
Russian invasion of Ukraine / Russia/energy

Hungary and Slovakia cite energy security concerns as they continue to lobby against EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia

The European Union hopes to adopt its 18th package of sanctions against Russia by the end of this week, at the EU summit beginning on Thursday 26 June in Brussels. This is despite the fact that the Hungarian and Slovak governments were vehemently opposed to it at the Foreign Affairs Council, which took place on Monday 23 June (see EUROPE B13665A2).

While this new package partly targets the energy sector, including Russian oil (see EUROPE B13656A1), Hungary and Slovakia have also insisted...

Contents

NATO SUMMIT
DEFENCE: Mark Rutte states all Allies have agreed to 5% target
DEFENCE: “There’s no defence without a strong defence industry”, says Mark Rutte, calling on industry to deliver on its commitments
UKRAINE: The Hague, Mark Rutte tries to reassure Volodymyr Zelensky
Russian invasion of Ukraine
RUSSIA/ENERGY: Hungary and Slovakia cite energy security concerns as they continue to lobby against EU’s 18th package of sanctions against Russia
EXTERNAL ACTION
UNITED STATES: Ursula von der Leyen denies she is prepared to relax application of DMA and other European legislation for Washington
MERCOSUR: deep divisions persist in European Parliament over EU/Mercosur trade agreement
ENLARGEMENT: MEPs call for “specific and targeted amendments” to European treaties to ensure successful enlargement of Union
DEVELOPMENT: at European Parliament, Bill Gates advocates working on aid effectiveness
SECTORAL POLICIES
FISHERIES: European ministers call for improved stock status to be taken into account during 2026 quota negotiations
FISHERIES: EU Member States ask for flexibility in implementing control rules
FISHERIES: massive sale of juvenile hake in Italian ports alarms NGOs
AGRICULTURE: imported products - several European ministers call for a review of maximum pesticide residue levels
ANIMAL HEALTH: tougher rules on transport of live animals divide EU Council
TRANSPORT: MEPs want to strengthen passenger rights
TRANSPORT: less than 20% of corridors on trans-European transport network are equipped with European Train Control System (‘ETCS’), warns T&E
CLIMATE: a week before presentation of 2040 target, MEPs call on EU to show leadership ahead of COP30 in Bélem
CLIMATE: centre-left accuses EPP group of “unravelling policies of ‘European Green Deal’” in European Parliament Environment Committee
ENVIRONMENT: EPP and far-right MEPs join forces to push through an objection to Implementing Regulation under ‘Deforestation-free’ Regulation
TOURISM: European ministers set out vision for ‘European Strategy for Sustainable Tourism’
JUSTICE: protection of vulnerable adults - MEPs adopt their position and strengthen autonomy
JUSTICE: MEPs adopt position on insolvency law
HOME AFFAIRS: lawful access to data by law enforcement authorities - European Commission identifies future actions in a new ‘roadmap’
MIGRATION: criminalising facilitation of illegal immigration—European ombudsman to investigate lack of European Commission impact assessment
DIGITAL: France wants to push European Commission to ensure stricter supervision of minors’ access to social networks
DIGITAL: European Commission unveils online platform dedicated to artificial intelligence tools
ECONOMY - FINANCE - BUSINESS
COMPANIES: ‘Omnibus’ legislative simplification package - CSRD and CSDDD directives watered down as work progresses
ECB: Christine Lagarde urges MEPs to accelerate legislative work on digital euro
EDUCATION - YOUTH - CULTURE - SPORT
EDUCATION: European Universities alliances - MEPs back report that raises “issues of funding, sustainability and predictability”
COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EU
CONSUMERS: Court of Justice interprets EU law on unfair terms in mortgage contracts
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
WOMEN’S RIGHTS: Council of Europe awards Vigdis 2025 Prize for Women’s Empowerment to Palestinian organisation Women of the Sun
NEWS BRIEFS
DEVELOPMENT: European Parliament Committees on Development and Environment approve report on implementation of Sustainable Development Goals
DEFENCE: EU Council agreement on ‘EDIP’ programme to support European defence industry
DEMOCRACY: Council adopts new rules to make it easier for mobile citizens to vote in EU
ECONOMY: MEPs decide on their position on InvestEU revision
ENERGY: EU Council and European Parliament reach provisional agreement on gas storage regulation
ENVIRONMENT: United Nations sets up an intergovernmental panel on chemicals, waste and pollution
FINANCE: MEPs open to idea of “joint borrowing” from EU to ensure Union can face “acute [...] crises”
DIGITAL/JUSTICE: adequacy of UK rules with EU law on protection of personal data extended until end of 2025
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: MEPs to challenge EU Council for sidelining European Parliament during adoption of ‘SAFE’ instrument
SWITZERLAND: EU and Bern commit to maintaining best bilateral cooperation possible pending ratification of new agreements
TRANSPORT: MEPs approve agreement with EU Council on new mandate of European Maritime Safety Agency