Thursday, May 21Thursday, May 21The 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 · 7 days 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 · 7 days 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 · 7 days 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 · 7 days ago
European Commission says all EU countries should ban conversion therapy
gdeltproject.org · 7 days 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 · 7 days 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 · 7 days 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 · 7 days 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 · 7 days 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 · 7 days 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 · 7 days ago
NEW - Ursula von der Leyen: The EU commission is PROUD🌈 Source: @disclosetv
telegram bot · 7 days ago
The EU invites the Taliban to talks on the repatriation of Afghan migrants Markus Lammert, spokesperson for the Committee on Home Affairs, has clarified that the measures apply to individuals who do not have the right to remain in the EU and who pose a security threat. Furthermore, contacts with the authorities in Kabul in no way constitute recognition of the regime by Brussels
eunews.it · 8 days ago
Dutch households face dozens of euros in extra monthly costs from new EU CO2 tax Suppliers of gasoline, diesel and natural gas for building heating will have to buy CO2 emission allowances from 2028 under a new European Union system, with the costs passed on to consumers and po
nltimes.nl · 8 days ago
Critical medicines: green light for agreement between Parliament and Council – the EU aims for pharmaceutical sovereignty The agreed measures include the allocation of EU funds to companies manufacturing within Europe and the introduction of criteria that favour European production systems in public procurement
eunews.it · 8 days ago
Ireland hopes new Budapest government will facilitate Ukraines EU membership Irelands Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence Thomas Byrne said the European Union must continue increasing pressure on Russia through sanctions, military support and diplomatic efforts.
euronews · 8 days ago
#Ukraine hopes for the opening of the first cluster of #EU accession negotiations on May 26 the minister said of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiga at the meeting of the EU Council on Foreign Affairs in Brussels with the participation of ministers of the member states of the European Union.
mastodon bot · 9 days ago
Ukraine, Mînzatu: Education is key to reconstruction and the path to EU accession The EU and Ukraine have reaffirmed the commitment made in 2023 to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and skills. Since 2022, the EU has mobilised over €1.1 billion to support education in the country
eunews.it · 9 days ago
Press release - 2026 Charlemagne Youth Prize: European laureates announced This years awards went to an Estonian project to boost female democratic participation, a French political engagement app and a Spanish network for relations with China.Committee on Culture and Education Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
european parlament · 9 days ago
Press release - First European Order of Merit ceremony: media information On Tuesday, 19 May, at a ceremony in Parliament laureates will receive the inaugural European Order of Merit for their significant contribution to EU integration and values. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP
european parlament · 9 days ago
EU to invite Taliban for talks repatriation of Afghan migrants The EU Commission plans to invite Taliban representatives to Brussels to discuss repatriating Afghan migrants, following previous visits by EU officials to Afghanistan. This technical-level meeting, coordinated with Sweden, aims to pursue the repatriation agenda. Although the EU does not recognize the Taliban regime, Belgium, as the host country, is prepared to issue the necessary […]
cphpost · 9 days ago
EU guidelines: airlines cant raise ticket prices after sale or refuse compensations Airlines cannot retroactively increase ticket prices or refuse compensation for cancelled flights solely because of higher fuel prices, the European Commission said Friday in new guidelines issued for the EU transport and tourism sectors.
lrt · 9 days ago
132 600 people refused entry in the EU, up by 7.1 In 2025, 132 600 third-country nationals were refused entry into the EU territory at one of its external borders, indicating a 7.1 increase compared with 2024 (123 835). The number of people found to be illegally present in an EU country decreased by 21.7, from 918 525 in 2024 to 719 395 in 20...
eurostat · 9 days ago