Photo : China Daily
03 July 2025, Thursday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1173
By Vaihali Chittrothu and Padmashree Anandhan
INTERNATIONAL
European Commission President meets China’s Foreign Minister marking 50 years of diplomatic relations
On 02 July, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a meeting with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss strengthening cooperation between the EU and China amid growing global challenges. As they mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 80th anniversary of the UN, both leaders emphasized the importance of mutual trust, communication, and shared responsibility in a turbulent international landscape. Wang called for deepened strategic dialogue, economic collaboration, and joint efforts on issues like climate change, while reaffirming China’s support for European integration and multilateralism. He emphasized China's commitment to openness and resolving differences through dialogue. Von der Leyen echoed the importance of stable, constructive relations, saying the upcoming China-EU leaders' meeting offers a key opportunity to reaffirm shared goals and global responsibility. She also reiterated the EU's commitment to the one-China policy.
European Commission permits international carbon offsets upto three per cent international credits for zero emissions by 2050
On 02 July, Euronews reported that the European Commission proposed allowing international carbon offsets to meet the EU’s 2040 climate targets. The European Commission formally proposed a 90 per cent carbon emissions reduction target by 2040 in an amendment to its Climate Law, to achieve zero emissions by 2050. This was claimed controversial for using international carbon credits for the target, a mechanism that allows countries or companies to buy emission reduction credits from projects outside the EU. While these credits can theoretically represent genuine climate action, critics argue they often act as a license to pollute, letting wealthier nations avoid making domestic changes. The Commission amended this to allow capture or removal of carbon beyond EU borders. Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said, “We're broadening the solution space.” The Commission's Scientific Advisory Board warned to supplement them, not to replace domestic action. To address these concerns, the Commission proposed international credits at three per cent of the 2040 target. (Gerardo Fortuna, “EU open to carbon offsets on path to 2040 emissions target ,”Euronews, 02 July 2025)
REGIONAL
“Heatwaves deadlier than storms in Europe” says The Guardian
On 02 July, in an editorial in The Guardian reported that the current extreme heat across Europe underscores the urgent need for better climate adaptation, particularly to protect vulnerable populations like the elderly, the ill, and those in poor housing. With record-breaking temperatures prompting emergency measures such as school closures and outdoor work bans, it is clear that heatwaves can be deadlier than storms. Beyond immediate health threats, heat also impacts agriculture, drives up food prices, and fuels wildfires. Governments, especially in countries like the UK, have been criticized for inadequate preparation, and the growing threat should spur stronger, faster action. While climate denial and policy rollbacks remain challenges in some regions, the crisis also presents an opportunity to push for positive change through public engagement, improved infrastructure, and support for green technologies. This heatwave, though dangerous, can serve as a crucial moment to galvanize public and political will toward ambitious, realistic climate goals.
First chatbot “ChatEurope” on Europe news launched
On 02 July, headed by Agence France-Presse and European media consortium launched the bot to fight disinformation. ChatEurope is a multilingual chatbot created to help people better understand the European Union, how it works, and how its decisions affect everyday life. Powered by AI from the French company Mistral and developed by Romania’s DRUID AI, the chatbot delivers answers based solely on verified news articles from a consortium of leading European media outlets, including AFP, Deutsche Welle, France Médias Monde, El País, and others. It operates in all EU languages and ensures transparency by citing its sources, offering users trustworthy, tailored information amid rising disinformation online. Co-funded by the European Commission but editorially independent, ChatEurope provides a range of content news, analyses, explainers, videos, and documentaries—aimed at European citizens of all ages and backgrounds. Deutsche Welle plays a key role in the project, contributing its Plain X technology for multilingual video content and helping assess the chatbot’s reliability.
14 EU member states propose stand alone cohesion policy to oppose centralising funds
On 02 July, Euronews reported that 14 member states proposed a 'stand-alone cohesion policy' rejecting the EU budget to centralise funds. With the proposal for the next EU budget after 2027 just around the corner, the political landscape was uncertain. These fourteen member states have signed a non-paper opposing the European Commission’s plans to centralise the management and distribution of EU funds. Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia were aiming to narrow the socio-economic gap between the richest and poorest European regions. The proposal rejected the Commission's plans to create a single funding pot for each EU country (covering around 530 programmes) and to link the receipt of funds to the fulfilment of policy objectives. Both Poland and the centre-left Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the European Parliament raised concerns about the Commission. This was over its plan to merge dozens of individual funding streams into a single cash pot per member state, as detailed in their respective position papers on the next MFF. Poland’s government emphasized that future reforms shouldn’t lead to further centralisation or the merging of funding instruments. (Paula Soler & Dominika Cosic, “Fourteen member states oppose the Commission's EU budget overhaul | Euronews” 02 July 2025)
France and Switzerland shuts nuclear power plants due to extreme heatwaves
On 02 July, Euronews reported that France and Switzerland shut down power plants to prevent warming of local rivers amid heatwaves. Nuclear power plants require water to cool down and prevent extreme heating of the machinery. Hence, they draw water from the local river to cool themselves down. Axpo, a nuclear company, has shut the Beznau nuclear power plant near the river area in Switzerland in which one reactor was shut down and a second reactor was operated at limited capacity. Production had reduced to 50 per cent. France’s electricity company EDF shut down the Golfech nuclear power plant, near the southern department of Tarn-et-Garonne, amid extreme heat warnings in the region and concerns that the local river could heat up to 28 degrees Celsius, even without the inflow of heated cooling water. France has a total of 57 active nuclear reactors in 18 power plants. The reactors in the south, the Bugey nuclear power plant and the Blayais nuclear power plant in western France, were shut down due to a lack of cooling water. France’s grid operator RTE ensured that all the nuclear power sites which are running can cover the needs of the French population. (“France and Switzerland shut down nuclear power plants amid scorching heatwave | Euronews,” 02 July 2025)
Estonia’s court accuses Russian intelligence behind the supermarket attack
On 03 July, A court declared that Russia’s intelligence service hired two Moldovan nationals to carry attack. An arson attack on a restaurant and supermarket in Estonia last year was ordered by Russian intelligence, called the GRU. The goal was to sow division in Western societies and undermine support for Ukraine as it continues to fend off Russia’s more than three-year-long full-scale invasion. The Harju County Court in Estonia said the perpetrators were two cousins, both named Ivan Chihaial. One was sentenced to six-and-a-half years and the other was an accomplice and sentenced to two-and-a-half years. The court says he carried out a trial operation on behalf of the GRU in January 2024, setting fire to a Co-op supermarket in the village of Osula in southeastern Estonia. Authorities in Latvia, Lithuania and Poland worked to detain the two men who were apprehended in Italy before being sent back to Estonia to face trial, said State Prosecutor Triinu Olev-Aas. The arson is the latest in a string of Russian attacks on Estonia since it launched its offensive on Ukraine in February 2022. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, denied such allegations, adding that the Kremlin has yet to be presented “any proofs” supporting accusations of a broader sabotage campaign. (Malek Fouda, “Estonia says arson attack on Ukrainian restaurant was ordered by Russia's intelligence services,” Euronews, 03 July 2025)