Page 20 - European Union

BYD supasses Tesla in Europe for the first time with 169% surge in sales

Until recently, BYD and its Chinese peers had prioritized selling fully electric cars in Europe, spurred by the region's ambitious targets to lower tailpipe emissions and transition the industry

India, EU looking for early harvest trade pact by July: Govt official

Negotiations for a proposed trade pact between India and the 27-nation European Union are progressing at a faster pace and both the sides are looking at concluding the talks for an early harvest trade agreement by July this year, a government official said on Wednesday. The early harvest or an interim trade agreement would include issues such as intellectual property rights (IPRs), government procurement, tariff, and non-tariff barriers, the official said. An Indian official team from the commerce ministry is visiting Brussels this week for the next round of negotiations on the trade agreement with the European Union (EU). This visit comes in the backdrop of recently-concluded eleventh round of talks between chief negotiators of both the sides on May 16 here in the national capital. "We are looking for an early harvest. We are trying to do it as early as possible...targeting by July for early harvest," the official added. The two sides have agreed to conclude the agreement in two .

EU to lift sanctions on Syria but retain curbs on former Assad regime

The European Union will lift sanctions on Syria's economy but keep those in place targeting the former Assad regime, the EU's top diplomat announced Tuesday. Foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas spoke after chairing a meeting of foreign ministers from the 27-member bloc. She said the decision was designed to avert poverty and radicalism in the country after more than a decade of civil war sent millions fleeing, including to Europe. The sanctions are conditional and could be resumed if the new government of Ahmad al-Sharaa doesn't keep the peace, Kallas said. Saving lives must be our top priority on Syria," she said. The announcement came a week after US President Donald Trump's meeting with al-Sharaa and his announcement that the US would ease sanctions on Syria. Lifting sanctions could bring much-needed investment to Syria, which needs tens of billions of dollars to restore its battered infrastructure. An insurgency late last year unseated former Syrian President Bashar Assad and end

UK, EU seal post-Brexit 'reset' deal to boost trade, security ties

UK and EU strike a landmark deal to ease post-Brexit trade barriers, enhance security ties, and launch youth mobility plans amid changing global dynamics and reduced US engagement in Europe

UK, EU to hold first post-Brexit summit in London to deepen relations

The UK and the European Union will meet in London on Monday to discuss closer ties in their first official summit since Brexit. The meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and top EU officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is intended to pave the way toward a new agreement between both sides. There is hope that a deal could improve the British economy, which has been hit by a drop in EU trade caused by increased costs and red tape after the United Kingdom left the bloc in 2020. Resetting relations Since becoming prime minister in July, Starmer has sought to reset relations with the EU, following years of tensions in the wake of the UK's Brexit referendum on June 23, 2016. Post-Brexit relations have been governed by a trade agreement negotiated by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Starmer thinks that can be improved in a way that boosts trade and bolsters security. It's unclear what will be announced at the summit, but Starmer said Sunday t

Italy's Meloni scores diplomatic win by bringing US, EU to Rome summit

Italy's Premier Giorgia Meloni hosted a key trilateral meeting in Rome on Sunday, bringing US Vice President JD Vance and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the same table, hoping to usher in what she said could be a new beginning. It was a diplomatic score for Meloni, who has been touted as a potential bridge-builder with the Trump administration, but so far had been unable to provide decisive breakthroughs amid increasingly strained relations with her main European partners. I am very proud to host two of the leaders of the EU and the US to start a dialogue, Meloni told the press ahead of the trilateral meeting, while sitting at a round table with her counterparts. The Italian premier recalled that she had proposed such an initiative a month earlier in the US capital when she met President Donald Trump at the White House. I hope that today can be a first meeting and a new beginning, Meloni said, noting that for trade matters the competence belonged to the EU Commissi

India, EU conclude another round of FTA talks; deal likely in two phases

India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators have concluded another round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) here and agreed to reach a deal in two phases, according to an official. "The 11th round of talks concluded on May 16," the official said. The two sides have agreed to conclude the agreement in two phases on account of the uncertain global trade environment, particularly due to the US tariff actions under President Donald Trump. The talks focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, and investment. India has followed the practice of negotiating trade pacts in two phases with Australia. It is following a similar approach to the US. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal last month stated, "If some of the issues which may not be very core to the trade, maybe taking some more time, then it is better to focus on core trade issues. So, we say that first things first...We are also discussing with the EU what can be the early harvest of the fir

Microsoft offers cheaper Office without teams to address EU concerns

The European Commission said it would seek feedback from rivals and customers before deciding whether to accept the offer. Reuters was the first to report the proposal earlier this week

EU, India join hands to fight marine pollution, develop hydrogen tech

The European Union and India have joined hands to find innovative research solutions to combat marine pollution and work on the development of waste-to-renewable hydrogen technologies. The embassy of EU Delegation in India, in a statement on Friday, said the EU and India launched "two new significant research and innovation initiatives" under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC), with "a total investment of Euro 41 million (Rs 394 crore)". These initiatives will drive collaborative solutions to pressing environmental challenges and foster cutting-edge technological advancements, it said. "Coordinated under the EU's Horizon Europe programme and co-funded by Indian ministries (MoES and MNRE), the two research calls will bring together researchers, start-ups, and industries from the EU and India to develop sustainable, scalable solutions with global impact," the statement said. MoES and MNRE refer to Ministry of Earth Sciences and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the

Nothing will happen until I meet Putin: Trump on Russia-Ukraine peace talks

Donald Trump says no progress will be made in the Russia-Ukraine conflict until he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin directly, casting doubts on imminent peace talks

Trump or not, the EU has no plans to revive 2020 investment deal with China

The EU is unwilling to resume the 2020 China investment deal despite diplomatic signals, focusing instead on trade imbalances and Beijing's industrial overcapacity

Albania's PM thanks voters for landslide win, pledges EU membership by 2030

Albania's prime minister on Wednesday thanked hundreds of thousands of voters who supported his Socialist Party in the last parliamentary elections, backing his pledge to take the country into the European Union in five years. Edi Rama, leader of the left-wing Socialist Party, held a celebratory rally in Tirana's main Skanderbeg Square. The event, attended by thousands of supporters waving Albanian and EU flags, took place in front of a big poster prepared for Friday's European Political Community summit, or EPC, a forum that gathers European leaders with the aim of boosting security and prosperity across the continent. With only diaspora ballots remaining to be fully counted, the ruling Socialists achieved a landslide victory, winning 83 seats in the 140-seat Parliament in the May 11 polls, according to the Central Election Commission. With those numbers, the Socialists are likely to govern alone. Rama's Socialist Party says it can deliver EU membership in five years, with ...

Google facing at least 12 billion euro in damage claims across Europe

The civil suits are linked to a 2017 decision by the European Commission to fine Google 2.4 billion euro for illegally leveraging its search dominance

Chemical giants weigh Europe exits amid soaring energy costs, Asian rivals

Sabic, Dow, Shell and others are reviewing European assets as high energy costs global competition and expansions in Asia and West Asia strain the continent's chemical sector

India, EU to hold next round of FTA talks from Monday for early conclusion

India and the European Union (EU) chief negotiators will begin the next round of talks on the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) here from Monday, with an aim to conclude the first phase of the pact as early as possible, according to an official. The two sides have agreed to conclude the agreement in two phases on account of the uncertain global trade environment, particularly due to the US tariff actions under President Donald Trump. "The EU team will be here for the 11th round of negotiations. It will continue till May 16," the official said. Issues where there is convergence would be included in the first part of the agreement. They are aiming to conclude the second part by the end of this year. Talks for the previous (tenth) round focused on areas like market access offers in goods, services, investment and government procurement. India has followed the practice of negotiating trade pacts in two phases with Australia. It is following a similar approach to the US. Commerce ..

Trade discussions proceed undisturbed by India-Pakistan hostilities

The UK-US trade pact is significant because it is the first deal after President Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs in the beginning of last month

Ukraine, allies offer 30-day ceasefire; EU says ball now in Russia's court

Ukraine and its allies have proposed a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire with Russia starting Monday, as EU leaders urge Moscow to engage in peace talks and warn of further sanctions if violated

European leaders visit Kyiv to show support amid calls for 30-day ceasefire

The leaders of four European countries arrived in Kyiv Saturday in a joint show of support as calls intensify for Russia to agree to a monthlong cease-fire in the war. The leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom arrived together at the train station in Kyiv, where they are expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The visit marked the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled together to Ukraine, while Friedrich Merz is making a first visit to Ukraine as Germany's new Chancellor. Along with President Donald Trump, the European leaders are pushing for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for peace talks on ending the conflict. We reiterate our backing for the President Trump's calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace, the leaders said in a joint statement.

India-EU ties to reach new heights: Jaishankar at Europe Day celebration

He emphasised that the high-level visit connected key policymakers comprehensively, allowing both sides to advance their partnership

Trump backs full US-UK trade deal in boost for Starmer after weeks of talks

The US President said in a post on his social media platform that Thursday would be an 'exciting day' for the two nations