EU gives green light for Bulgaria to join euro
"This marks the culmination of a thorough process towards Bulgaria's accession, comprising rigorous analysis and intensive preparation," Stephanie Lose, economy minister for Denmark, which holds the EU's rotating presidency.
AFP
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LBCI
2 hours ago
- LBCI
Xi says China, EU must deepen trust, but bloc chief urges 'real solutions'
Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and the EU must deepen trust in a turbulent world, but the bloc's chiefs called for "real solutions" to move past an inflection point as they met in Beijing on Thursday. China's leadership has sought to draw the European Union closer, positioning itself as a more reliable partner than the United States and a bedrock of stability in a troubled world. But the EU has made clear there are deep divisions over trade, fears that cheap, subsidized Chinese goods could overwhelm European markets, and Beijing's tacit support for Russia's war against Ukraine. Though nominally intended to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, the long list of grievances set the stage for a contentious summit. Welcoming EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen and European Council chief Antonio Costa at Beijing's ornate Great Hall of the People, Xi said, "The more severe and complex the international situation is, the more important it is for China and the EU to strengthen communication, increase mutual trust and deepen cooperation." In the context of that turmoil, Xi said, Chinese and European leaders must "make correct strategic choices that meet the expectations of the people and stand the test of history." "The challenges facing Europe at present do not come from China," he added. "There are no fundamental conflicts of interest or geopolitical contradictions between China and the EU," the Chinese leader said. In response, von der Leyen said, "It is vital for China and Europe to acknowledge our respective concerns and come forward with real solutions." Ties had reached an "inflection point", she warned. Costa also stressed to the Chinese leader that the bloc wanted to see "concrete progress on issues related to trade and the economy, and we both want our relationship to be... mutually beneficial." Brussels had acknowledged that the talks between its top officials and Chinese President Xi and Premier Li Qiang, scheduled for later Thursday, would be tense. "We know that we don't see eye to eye with China on many issues," a senior EU official told AFP last week. "But we believe that it is essential to have this kind of very direct and open and constructive conversation sitting at the table at the highest level." At the top of the EU's agenda is the significant trade deficit with China, which stood at around $360 billion last year and has been described by von der Leyen as "unsustainable." Beijing has dismissed those concerns, insisting that Brussels must "rebalance its mentality", not its economic ties with China. Brussels will also demand that China eases market access for European companies and loosens export controls on strategically crucial rare earths, von der Leyen has said. The EU has imposed hefty tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, arguing that Beijing's industrial subsidies unfairly undercut European competitors. China has rebuffed that claim and announced what were widely seen as retaliatory probes into imported European pork, brandy, and dairy products. A second key source of friction is Russia's war in Ukraine, Brussels says China's deepening political and economic relations with Russia since the 2022 invasion represent tacit support for Moscow that has helped its economy weather sweeping Western sanctions. Meeting Xi on Thursday, Costa urged China to "use its influence" on Russia to help end Moscow's "war of aggression." Last week, the bloc adopted a new package of sanctions on Russia over the war, including those targeting two Chinese banks, prompting Beijing's commerce minister to issue "solemn representations" to his EU counterpart. "This is a core issue for Europe," the senior EU official said. "We're not naive. We're not asking China to cut relations, but to step up the customs and financial controls."
National News
3 hours ago
- National News
New €12.5M project to support the Lebanese Armed Forces
NNA - The European Union announced a new €12.5 million project to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in leading recovery efforts, enhancing security and helping communities in Southern Lebanon rebuild. The project will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The official launch ceremony, held at the LAF Headquarters in Yarzeh, was attended by LAF Commander General Rodolph Haykal, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Ms. Sandra De Waele, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon Ms. Blerta Aliko, and representatives from UNSCOL. This EU-funded project responds to the ongoing impact of the 13-month war, which continues to claim lives and damage infrastructure and public services across the country. It will help the Lebanese Armed Forces support communities in Southern Lebanon to recover and rebuild. This includes clearing rubble and unexploded ordnance, repairing critical infrastructure—such as water networks and public health centres—and strengthening cooperation with local communities. In his remarks, Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal stated, that "this project represents a critical milestone for the military institution, which bears immense responsibilities at the national level. The army continues to exert tremendous efforts to uphold the authority of the state across all Lebanese territory, implement international resolutions—particularly Resolution 1701—and safeguard the country's security and monitor its borders." "The project strengthens the army's capacity and sustainability, contributing directly to Lebanon's security and stability and to the safety of its people," General Haykal added. EU Ambassador Sandra De Waele said, "This project – along with our longstanding partnership with Lebanese security institutions – reflects the European Union's unwavering commitment to Lebanon and to promoting peace and stability across the country. Together with EU Member States, we are providing over $600 million in support to conflict-affected areas in Lebanon, underscoring this commitment. These efforts complement our diplomatic work to push for the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and for all parties to abide by the November 2024 ceasefire agreement." "We at UNDP will continue to support LAF and local communities—because stability is the foundation upon which lasting peace, recovery, and inclusive development must be built," said Blerta Aliko, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon. This project is part of the Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2025 by the Ministry of National Defense, UNDP, and UNSCOL, to coordinate international assistance for the Lebanese Armed Forces. ------------
L'Orient-Le Jour
16 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
EU announces new €12.5 million project to support the Lebanese Army
The European Union announced "a new €12.5 million project to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in leading recovery efforts, enhancing security and helping communities in southern Lebanon rebuild. The project will be implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)," in a statement Wednesday. The ceremony, held at the Lebanese Army's headquarters in Yarzeh, was attended by army Commander General Rodolph Haykal, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon Blerta Aliko, and representatives from UNSCOL. "This EU-funded project responds to the ongoing impact of the 13-month war, which continues to claim lives and damage infrastructure and public services across the country," the statement said. The World Bank estimates, in a final report in March, the total cost of damage at $6.8 billion in the regions affected by Israeli bombings, with economic losses amounting to $7.2 billion. These estimates cover the period from Oct. 8, 2023, the date the hostilities began between the two belligerents, to Dec. 20, 2024. "It will help the Lebanese Armed Forces support communities in southern Lebanon to recover and rebuild. This includes clearing rubble and unexploded ordnance, repairing critical infrastructure — such as water networks and public health centres — and strengthening cooperation with local communities," according to the statement. In his remarks, Haykal stated that "this project represents a critical milestone for the military institution, which bears immense responsibilities at the national level. The army continues to exert tremendous efforts to uphold the authority of the state across all Lebanese territory, implement international resolutions—particularly Resolution 1701—and safeguard the country's security and monitor its borders." "The project strengthens the army's capacity and sustainability, contributing directly to Lebanon's security and stability and to the safety of its people,' General Haykal added. "Together with EU Member States, we are providing over $600 million in support to conflict-affected areas in Lebanon, underscoring this commitment. These efforts complement our diplomatic work to push for the full implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 and for all parties to abide by the November 2024 ceasefire agreement," EU Ambassador Sandra De Waele said. Hezbollah and Israel engaged in a devastating war lasting more than 13 months, from October 2023 to November 2024, in the wake of the Gaza conflict. The party emerged significantly weakened by these clashes, which ended with a cease-fire that came into effect on Nov. 27. Despite this truce, the Israeli army continues to occupy five positions in southern Lebanon and persists in its violations of the agreement by almost daily bombarding the south, and more sporadically the Bekaa and southern suburbs of Beirut. The Lebanese Army has dismantled hundreds of Hezbollah's military infrastructure south of the Litani River, but the party still maintains its weapons north of this line and has so far refused to surrender its arsenal, as demanded by the international community, led by the United States and Israel.
