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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
EU Commission discusses curbs on Israel research funding amid Gaza pressure
European Commissioners on Monday discussed a proposal to partially suspend Israel 's access to the EU's Horizon research funding programme following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza . Multiple EU countries said last week that Israel was not living up to its commitments under an agreement with the European Union on increasing aid supplies to Gaza and asked the Commission to put concrete options on the table. The proposal was mentioned in a published agenda of Monday's meeting of the College of Commissioners, the top decision-making body of the European Union's executive. But the Commission has not explained it in detail. Israel has been participating in the EU's research programmes since 1996, taking part in thousands of joint research projects over the past decades. Earlier this month, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Israel had agreed to expand humanitarian access to Gaza, including increasing the number of aid trucks, crossing points and routes to distribution hubs. But in a tense meeting of European ambassadors in Brussels last week, countries including France, the Netherlands and Spain said not enough was being done, according to diplomats. Earlier this month, EU officials presented a list of options that the bloc could pursue to put pressure on Israel but the bloc has so far refrained from pursuing any of them. Israel on Sunday announced a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and new aid corridors, while Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have airdropped supplies into the enclave. But officials and aid groups remain concerned and say much more needs to be done to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. – Reuters
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
EU Commission discusses curbs on Israel research funding amid Gaza pressure
European Commissioners will on Monday discuss a proposal to partially suspend Israel's access to the EU's Horizon research funding program following calls from EU governments to increase pressure on Israel over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Multiple EU countries said last week that Israel was not living up to its commitments under an agreement with the European Union on increasing aid supplies to Gaza and asked the Commission to put concrete options on the table. The proposal was mentioned in a published agenda of Monday's meeting of the College of Commissioners, the top decision-making body of the European Union's executive. But the Commission has not explained it in detail. EU and Israeli officials had no immediate comment on the proposal. Israel has been participating in the EU's research programs since 1996, taking part in thousands of joint research projects over the past decades. Earlier this month, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Israel had agreed to expand humanitarian access to Gaza, including increasing the number of aid trucks, crossing points and routes to distribution hubs. But in a tense meeting of European ambassadors in Brussels last week, countries including France, the Netherlands and Spain said not enough was being done, according to diplomats. Earlier this month, EU officials presented a list of options that the bloc could pursue to put pressure on Israel but the bloc has so far refrained from pursuing any of them. Israel on Sunday announced a halt in military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of Gaza and new aid corridors, while Jordan and the United Arab Emirates have airdropped supplies into the enclave. But officials and aid groups remain concerned and say much more needs to be done to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Euronews
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Defence a key priority of Denmark's presidency of the European Union
Security and defence were high on the agenda when Denmark took over the six-month Presidency of the European Union and on Thursday, the 27 members of the College of Commissioners travelled to Aarhus, to mark the start of the new tenure. With defence a priority, the Scandinavian country intends to significantly push ahead with rearmament efforts. "If we are not prepared to defend our continent, who are we as Europeans?" Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen asked. "We need to rearm Europe by 2030 by the latest, and I look forward to the roadmap on how to achieve this goal, so that we can develop common capabilities, strengthen our defence industry, make joint procurements and remove all barriers and obstacles in our way," she added. For the Danish leader, the EU's security largely depends on Ukraine. "Right now, it is the army in Ukraine that is protecting Europe," Frederiksen said on Thursday at a press conference attended by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. She emphasised that Kyiv is part of the European family and therefore called on member states to change their mindset when it comes to military aid. "When we deliver arms to Ukraine, instead of seeing it as a donation, we need to think of it as part of our rearmament," Frederiksen insisted. Linking security and migration Denmark believes that migration policy is also a question of security. According to the Danish Prime Minister, the European system is failing, and she is calling for the restoration of border controls. "On these issues, we now have concrete proposals on the table, proposals that could also pave the way for return centres and asylum procedures outside the EU," she said. Speaking on the Pact on Migration and Asylum, President of the Commission Ursula von der Leyen listed which areas Denmark needs to make progress on. "Under your presidency, we will be able to make progress on our proposal for a return, on the concept of safe third countries and safe countries of origin," von der Leyen said. Responding to trade turbulence The Danish Presidency and the European Commission also agreed competitiveness should be another priority for Copenhagen. Here again, Ursula von der Leyen listed the issues on which she hoped developments would be made. "We must therefore give a major boost to the European Savings and Investment Union, which will be one of our joint priorities," von der Leyen said. She emphasised that the cost of energy is a key challenge facing the European Union in the face of its international competitors. Von der Leyen said she intends to present "plans to improve the European grid, storage capacity and interconnections." Beyond this six-month roadmap, the challenge for Denmark will be to maintain the unity of the 27 member states, and ensure that the EU speaks with a unified voice to meet the geopolitical, trade and climate challenges.
India Gazette
16-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
India, Cyprus to deepen cooperation as trusted, indispensable partners; prepare action plan to guide ties for next five years
Nicosia [Cyprus], June 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral, regional, and global issues on Monday with the two countries expressing their commitment to deepening cooperation 'as trusted and indispensable partners'. A Joint Declaration made after talks between PM Modi and Cyprus President reaffirmed the strategic bond between the two countries with the two leaders agreeing that an Action Plan is to be prepared in order to guide bilateral relations for the next five years. PM Modi's visit to Cyprus, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in over two decades, marked a historic milestone and reaffirmed the deep and enduring friendship between the two nations. 'The visit celebrates not only a shared history, but a forward-looking partnership, rooted in a joint strategic vision and mutual trust and respect,' the declaration said. PM Modi arrived in Cyprus on Sunday as part of his three-nation visit. The two countries agreed to enhance trade, defence and technology partnership and establish direct air connectivity. Both leaders noted with satisfaction the progress in ongoing bilateral cooperation and expressed confidence that the partnership will continue to flourish, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity across their regions and beyond. Cyprus and India share a strategic vision of serving as bridges between regions. Both leaders underscored the significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as a transformative, multi-nodal initiative that fosters peace, economic integration, and sustainable development. Viewing IMEC as a catalyst for constructive regional cooperation, they reiterated their shared commitment to promoting stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider Middle East and emphasized the importance of fostering deeper engagement and corridors of interconnection from the Indian peninsula through the wider Middle East to Europe. While recognizing Cyprus' role as a gateway into Europe, they welcomed the prospect of Indian shipping companies establishing a presence in Cyprus, encouraging the advancement of maritime cooperation through joint ventures involving Cyprus-based and Indian maritime service providers as a means of further strengthening economic and logistical ties. Looking ahead to Cyprus' Presidency of the Council of the European Union in early 2026, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening EU-India relations. They recalled the milestone visit of the College of Commissioners to India, and expressed satisfaction on the launch of the first India-EU Strategic Dialogue and the progress already made in the priority areas identified during the visit including in trade, defence and security, maritime, connectivity, clean and green energy, and space. Cyprus pledged to work towards the advancement of the EU-India strategic partnership during the Presidency. Both sides expressed readiness to support the conclusion of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year recognizing its significant economic and strategic potential. They also expressed their support for the ongoing work through the EU-India Trade and Technology Council and committed to sustaining a forward-looking agenda beyond the 2025 Strategic Roadmap to deepen this key global partnership. Recognizing the growing strategic complementarity between Cyprus and India, the leaders committed to expanding economic ties through increased trade, investment, and collaboration in science, innovation, and research. To advance cooperation, the two leaders noted they would welcome a Cypriot high-level delegation visiting India, including business representatives, as well as the organisation of a Cyprus-India Business Forum to promote investment opportunities. The two leaders also addressed the Cyprus-India Business Round Table on Advancing a Strategic Economic Partnership. Both leaders agreed to promote collaboration in research, innovation, and technology, fostering stronger ties between startups, academic institutions, and industry, and supporting innovation exchanges in key sectors like artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and research, with a view of concluding a related MoU. The two leaders recognized people-to-people ties as a strategic asset and multiplier for deepening economic and cultural ties. The two sides will work to finalise a Mobility Pilot Program Arrangement by the end of 2025. Both sides emphasized the value of fostering mutual understanding through cultural and people-to-people ties. They agreed to explore opportunities for enhancing tourism and establishing direct air connectivity between Cyprus and India, as well as enhanced air routes via shared partners, to improve ease of travel and boost bilateral exchanges. The two leaders underscored their shared commitment to peace, democracy, the rule of law, effective multilateralism, and sustainable development. They reaffirmed their support for a rules-based international order, grounded in the UN Charter and international law, placing particular emphasis on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), with regard to freedom of navigation and sovereign maritime rights. (ANI)
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Looking to deepening ties, centrepiece is FTA: EAM on India-EU relations
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Wednesday spoke at the German Marshall Fund Brussels Forum 2025, where he highlighted the importance of India's relationship with the European Union. Jaishankar stated that India gives "pretty high priority" to its relations with the EU, highlighting the growing interest in Europe over the past decade. Jaishankar expressed optimism about the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying that discussions have been positive and that the agreement is "within sight" of being finalised by the end of the year. Jaishankar said, "We are really looking to deepening our ties, the centrepiece is the FTA." He said his meetings have been very positive and noted that discussions took place on mobility and talent flows, education. On the timeline for the fruition of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU, EAM Jaishankar noted that since the visit of the College of Commissioners in February, "A lot has been done and everything that I heard on this trip gives me the confidence that it's within sight that by the end of this year it is feasible to do this". Jaishankar also addressed the trade tensions between the EU and the US, stating that India values its relations with both partners and will deal with each on terms that are mutually beneficial. He acknowledged that Europe has distinct positions on many issues, which may not always align with those of the US. Jaishankar said, "We see today that Europe has a distinct position on many issues, those are not necessarily the positions shared today in the United States, so that's a reality. We value our relations with the US as we do with the EU we will deal with each one on terms which are best for both of us." On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar reiterated India's position that differences between countries cannot be settled by war and that negotiations are the best way forward. He noted that while this position may not have been widely accepted initially, the world is now coming to terms with it. "We have felt from the start, even if two countries have differences, it cannot be settled by the cause of war. Two, if the war has started, you cannot get solutions on the battlefield... the answer then is to negotiate. It makes sense to negotiate directly than through convoluted signalling. So that's been our position." He noted that although this position wasn't widely accepted in 2022, the world is coming to terms with it now." Jaishankar is in Brussels where he has held several interactions with senior officials of the European Union. Discussions have seen positive developments on several fronts of the India-EU partnership.
