Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka made it clear on Wednesday that Prague will not sign any EU trade sanctions against Israel.
After talks with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar, Macinka said the Czech Republic had serious reservations about last week’s case EU sanctions package targeting violent Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
next time, Macinka was clear, Prague will take a “more confident” approach to stop new sanctions covering trade relations. However, Germany and Italy have been instrumental in eliminating any economic sanctions.
There is also the prospect of sanctions regarding Israel’s participation in the Horizon research program and targeted restrictions on two far-right Israeli ministers.
But EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas was also clear this week that dealing with Israel is increasingly challenging. “The problem is that we don’t have that leverage over Israel even with the measures that are on the table right now because we are not united,” she said.
Briefing
EU will not waive Russian oil sanctions – European Commission will not ask to ease sanctions on Russian energy supplies, although Britain and the US have already done so, chief spokeswoman Paula Pinho said on Wednesday. On Monday, the US renewed a waiver on Russian crude oil sanctions, and the UK followed suit on Tuesday.
Inside the EU aid revolution – EU wants to review the way it spends on foreign aidaiming to prioritize security, migration and its own economic interests as part of the future long-term budget. Alexei Jones of the European Center for Development Policy Management called the shift a “transition from a development instrument with geopolitical ambitions to a geopolitical instrument with development protection.”
Budget gambling – MEPs are discussing a possible one new tax on gambling and online betting that could help finance the bloc’s proposed €2 trillion long-term budget. Piotr Serafin, the EU’s budget commissioner, is in Strasbourg for the discussion, which comes as pressure mounts on capitals to agree new EU-wide revenue streams.
All over Europe
MEPs warn Slovakia’s Fico (again) The European Parliament has increased the pressure on the government of Robert Fico, adoption of a second resolution on the rule of law in less than a month. Lawmakers warn that Slovakia could eventually face the suspension of EU funding.
Energy shock hits borrowing costs – German government borrowing costs have climbed to record levels in 15 years, while the energy shock caused by the US-Iran war fuels inflation fears in the eurozone’s largest economy.
The Turkish opposition says that ties with the EU are at risk – As Germany and Turkey revive their strategic dialogue after a 12-year hiatus, one of the leading voices of the Turkish opposition is warning that Ankara’s current political trajectory risks undermining any deeper partnership with Europe.
