The European Commission has confirmed plans to host Taliban representatives in Brussels for discussions on the deportation of Afghan migrants from Europe, a move coordinated with Sweden. This decision has sparked significant backlash, with critics questioning the EU’s engagement with the Taliban despite ongoing international condemnation of their human rights record .

The European Commission has called on all EU member states to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQIA+ individuals, responding to a European Citizens’ Initiative that garnered over 1 million signatures. However, the Commission will only issue a recommendation rather than a legally binding ban, citing concerns over encroaching on member states’ prerogatives. EU officials, including Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have publicly expressed support for LGBTQIA+ rights .

Hungary’s new Prime Minister, Péter Magyar, has outlined his government’s stance on EU funding negotiations in a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, refusing to phase out controversial windfall taxes that Brussels has made a condition for releasing funds. The European Commission is exploring alternative disbursement methods, including through Hungary’s investment bank, and will dispatch a team of senior officials to Budapest to accelerate talks . Despite these tensions, Hungary’s new government has signaled a shift toward closer EU alignment, including dropping its veto on sanctions against Israeli settlers and raising the EU flag at the parliament, a symbolic gesture of renewed cooperation .

Croatia is under pressure from the EU to accelerate the absorption and implementation of recovery and cohesion funds, with Brussels expressing concerns over delays in project execution that could hinder economic progress . Separately, the EU’s proposed revision of tobacco legislation has faced criticism from over 25 scientists and public health experts, who argue the plan is based on flawed scientific premises .

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EU Faces Backlash Over Plan to Host Taliban Officials in Brussels for Afghan Deportation Talks The European Commission is facing growing criticism after confirming plans to invite Taliban representatives to Brussels for sensitive talks on the deportation and return of Afghanistan migrants from Europe. The move, coordinated with Sweden, has reignited debate over the EUs engagement with Afghanistans de facto rulers despite ongoing international condemnation of the Talibans human rights […]

brussels morning · 3 months ago

Pressure builds on EU over planned shake-up in tobacco legislation A coalition of over 25 world-renowned scientists and public health researchers have said that a proposed revision of tobacco legislation is based on a scientifically false premise. This comes in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The signatories include internationally-respected experts like Professor Luboš Petruželka, a distinguished oncologist at Charles University; Assoc. […]

brussels morning · 3 months ago

Croatia Pressured as EU Demands Faster Use of Recovery and Cohesion Funds May the 14th, 2026 – Croatia is facing mounting pressure as the EU begins demanding the much faster use of recovery and cohesion funds. Croatia is facing increasing pressure from Brussels to accelerate the absorption and implementation of EU funds. This is occurring as concerns grow about delays in project execution which could slow down ... Read more The post Croatia Pressured as EU Demands Faster Use of Recovery and Cohesion Funds appeared first on Total Croatia.

total croatia news · 3 months ago

Hungarys Magyar set to outline his red lines over EU funding talks in a letter to von der Leyen Hungarys new PM Péter Magyar outlined how his government plans to spend EU funds, but said he will not phase out the controversial windfall taxes that Brussels has made a condition of their release.

euronews · 3 months ago

European Commission says all EU countries should ban conversion therapy

gdeltproject.org · 3 months ago

Brazil surprised by EU ban on meat imports Brazils ambassador to the EU Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva told Euronews he had asked the EU Commission to put Brazil back on the list of countries complying with EU antimicrobial rules. The move comes as the Mercosur deal liberalising agricultural trade came into force on 1 May.

euronews · 3 months ago

EU Commission to dispatch team to Budapest as it mulls Hungarian investment bank for EU cash The European Commission looks for options to disburse Hungarian cash, including through the countrys investment bank, as it seeks to accelerate talks. A team of senior officials will be dispatched to Budapest next week.

euronews · 3 months ago

The EU Commission calls on Member States to ban conversion practices The Commission is responding to the European Citizens Initiative, but will only put forward a recommendation rather than a legally binding ban, as called for by the ECIs supporters. Lahbib: It will protect all LGBTQIA+ people, particularly the most vulnerable.

eunews.it · 3 months ago

EU says countries, not Brussels, should ban LGBTQ+ conversion therapy More than 1 million people signed a petition to ban the practice in Europe.

politico.eu · 3 months ago

EU will not ban LGBTQ+ conversion therapy but will push states to do so Brussels argued it does not have the legal authority to ban the practices and feared encroaching on the prerogatives of member states. It will therefore leave it up to them to take action.

le monde · 3 months ago

Can Hungarys Magyar deliver on his promises of reform and restore a relationship to the EU? The countrys new leadership has pledged to reverse years of democratic backsliding, but they must act quickly• Dont get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up hereUnder blue skies on Saturday, crowds cheered as the EU flag was raised on the facade of the Hungarian parliament after a long absence. It was a powerful symbol on the day Péter Magyar was sworn in as Hungarys prime minister, with a declaration that Hungarians had given his party a mandate to launch a new chapter in the countrys history, and change the system.The new government, seen as an experienced technocratic team, immediately signalled its new direction. Hungarys place is in Europe; naturally, firmly and without question, foreign minister designate Anita Orbán said. Soon after, Hungary dropped its long-standing veto over sanctions against violent Israeli settlers – a sign it no longer sought to be outside the EU mainstream. Continue reading...

theguardian · 3 months ago

NEW - Ursula von der Leyen: The EU commission is PROUD🌈 Source: @disclosetv

telegram bot · 3 months ago