Hidden Belgium
Cycle in the trees
Bestselling author Derek Blyth picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets of Belgium every day
Brussels Food & Drink
What are the most delicious foods, refreshing drinks, coolest cafés and swankiest restaurants in Brussels at the moment? Wandering food and drink expert Hughes Belin names the best of the best.
EU Tracker
- Today - Nuclear option
‘What to do with Hungary?’ will be on the agenda of the general affairs meeting on 23 May, as government reps will discuss issues related to rule of law as well as the next regular European Council summit in late June.
- Today - Neighbourhood watch
A meeting of the European Economic Area council – EU members plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway – is due for 23 May. Cooperation on energy and raw materials is top of the summit agenda.
- Tomorrow - Agri powwow
EU agricultural ministers meet 24 May to discuss how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is squeezing food markets, supply chains and all the uncertainty it has created. Full agenda here.
- May 25 - Sanction crimes
The European Commission will publish on 25 May its proposal to add the evasion or violation of sanctions to the list of crimes laid out in the EU treaties. Well timed, given that some governments still are not sure if paying for Russian gas in rubles is illegal.
- May 25 - Euromertà
The Commission will unveil its plan for beefed-up powers to combat organised crime, which will simplify how criminal assets can be confiscated. Confiscation rates of criminal proceeds currently barely break above 1%.
- June 21 - Golden gateway
The EU’s development days will this year focus on Brussels’ plan to up investments in energy, digital and transport in partner countries, in a bid to compete with China’s mammoth Belt and Road initiative.
- June 22 - Rescheduled mother nature
The European Commission’s postponed nature protection package — which includes targets for reducing pesticide use — has been tentatively rescheduled for 22 June.
- June 23 - EU growth spurt?
EU leaders are on course to be given an update on the membership applications of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine at a European Council meeting. The Commission is expected to issue its opinions on whether talks should be opened.
- July 1 - Czech in
Czech Republic takes over the rotating EU presidency from France.
- July 5 - Right to repair
The European Commission will publish its plan for new design requirements and consumer rights for electronics. This will likely include a definition on the ‘right to repair’, potentially unlocking longer-lasting electronics and reshaping how consumers purchase smartphones and other devices.
- December 1 - EU-US TTC
The next round of the EU-US trade and technology council is scheduled for December.
