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Today in the Expresso : stalled EU-Mercosur agreement, Sweden faces Turkey’s anger, a gigafactory project in the Czech Republic.
FEATURED
Italy and Hungary, a real honeymoon. Hungarian President Katalin Novák traveled to Italy to meet her counterparts, taking the opportunity to discuss the ” similarities » between the two countries, particularly around the fight against irregular immigration, enlargement to the Western Balkans and family values. A paper signed Federica Pascale and Sarantis Michalopoulos.
THE FRENCH CORNER
ECONOMY • EU-Mercosur agreement: while Lula puts pressure on, MEPs stick to their guns and expect from the European executive greater environmental guarantees than an additional non-binding act. Back to the last speeches with Paul Messad.
ENERGY • Nationalization of EDF: first victory for the Socialists. The Finance Committee adopted on Wednesday the bill aimed at “protecting the EDF group and French energy sovereignty” carried by the Socialist deputy Philippe Brun. The facts with Paul Messad.
Mmedia • Covid-19: press freedom weakened in Europe. During a special Covid committee hearing in the European Parliament, MEPs discussed the impact of the pandemic on press freedom, citizens’ rights and European democracies. Clara Bauer-Babef followed the debates.
THE CAPITALS
BRUSSELS
Belgium, France’s leading electricity supplier in 2022. While France experienced a sharp drop in its electricity production in 2022, Belgium played a fundamental role in supplying energy to its main neighbours. From our journalist / translator Arthur Riffaud.
STOCKHOLM
NATO membership: Sweden will “not compromise on freedom of expression”. Sweden will not compromise on freedom of expression or the rule of law, Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said on Wednesday in response to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s remarks. From our Northern Europe reporter Charles Szumski.
PRAGUE
A Czech gigafactory project facing the local sling. The Czech Republic is finalizing its bid to tender for the construction of the Volkswagen gigafactory, but the government is facing reluctance from local communities, including surrounding villages. Aneta Zachová has the details.
VIENNA
Austria: no weapons for Ukraine, but unfailing support. Ukraine will continue to receive support from Austria, its President Alexander Van der Bellen said at a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Wednesday. By Chiara Swaton, with Théo Bourgery-Gonse.
WARSAW
Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky are set to meet in Poland. US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky are expected to meet in Poland later this month to discuss Ukraine’s “ten-point peace plan”, according to numerous Polish media. From our correspondent Aleksandra Krzysztoszek.
[Édité par Théo Bourgery-Gonse & traductions par Arthur Riffaud]