The new pact, which still needs to be finalised, will almost certainly face intense legal scrutiny that began after revelations by Edward Snowden of mass digital spying by US agencies.
China is the biggest producer of the world’s rare earth metals and the EU’s dependence on Beijing is making decision-makers in Brussels nervous.
Former head of EU Commission Juncker says, “From a protocol point of view, the president of the Council is No 1, and the president of the Commission is No 2,” referring to the von der Leyen “Sofagate.”
Turkey’s foreign minister also downplayed confusion over the seating arrangements at this week's meeting between top EU officials and the Turkish president.
Top EU officials meet President Erdogan in Ankara with high-level talks held on issues including refugee crisis, trade, visa liberalisation as well as revamp of ties.
Fidesz's departure from the EPP group is likely to reduce PM Orban's influence in Brussels following a long conflict over his perceived backsliding on the rule of law and human rights.
EU says it has agreed to pay $74 million to US drugmaker Gilead to address "just immediate needs," and is working to secure new doses from October.
German newspaper Handelsblatt reported health ministers from Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands wrote to the EU Commission that access to vaccines is "one of the most urgent issues that the European Union has to address at present".
The new facility could buy stakes in, or offer loans to, companies in sectors such as healthcare, space, defence, digital and green technologies.
The virus has infected more than 1,5 million people and killed over 88,000 by spreading to 209 countries and territories. Here are the latest updates for April 8:
The Italian prime minister clashed with EU Commission Chief von der Leyen over her reluctance to accept his proposed 'coronabonds' plan, which would allow Italy to borrow more cheaply in the fight against the coronavirus.
US President Donald Trump's sweeping travel ban drew an angry response from EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel who rebuked his "unilateral action" and called for cooperation to fight the pandemic.
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