Central Europe / News
EU approves eighteenth sanctions package after Slovakia drops veto
The EU has approved the eighteenth sanctions package after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico agreed to drop his veto, saying that he had run out of negotiating options on July 18.
Czech energy utility ČEZ and UK’s Rolls-Royce sign agreement to build first SMR
The majority state-owned energy utility ČEZ and the United Kingdom’s Rolls-Royce SMR have signed an agreement to begin preparatory works to build the first small modular nuclear reactor in Czechia.
Fico claims Slovakia has obtained energy guarantees from EU and will unblock latest sanctions package against Russia
Slovakia’s populist Prime Minister Robert Fico said it would be "counterproductive" to continue blocking the EU’s 18th sanctions package against Russia.
Maspex secures 21% of Bucharest-listed Purcari winery on first day of takeover bid
Maspex aims to broaden its product portfolio beyond its core soft drinks and food businesses.
Ukrainian ambassador summoned in Budapest over church arson case
Ukrainian nationalists blamed for arson attack on a Greek Catholic church in Ukraine's western Transcarpathian region — but similar provocations were traced back to Russian operatives.
Signet Bank launches first Baltic bond fund in Latvia
Signet Asset Management Latvia of Signet Bank Group has established the Signet Baltic Bond Fund, described as the first open-ended mutual fund of its kind in the Baltic region
Poland the biggest winner from EU’s €2 trillion long-term budget, Ukraine to get €100bn
EU Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin unveiled the largest ever EU long-term €2 trillion budget that covers 2028-2034 in Brussels on July 16.
COMMENT: Slovakia’ Prime Minister pushes back on EU gas phase-out, demands a delay to the sanctions as EU cracks widen
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is becoming a major embarrassment for the EU plans to phase out all Russian gas imports by 2028.
Hungary opposes EU’s new long-term budget
Prime Minister Viktor Orban has sharply criticised the European Commission’s new long-term budget proposal, accusing Brussels of favouring Ukraine at the expense of European farmers, including those in Hungary.
Onto Innovation Inc. acquires business unit of Hungarian semiconductor metrology firm for $545mn
Massachusetts-based Onto Innovation Inc. has agreed to acquire a major business unit of Hungary's Semilab Group for $545mn, in a rare international spotlight for the Budapest-based semiconductor metrology firm.
Hungarian farmers dump manure at EU headquarters in protest at planned cuts in CAP funds
Hungarian farmers dumped piles of manure in front of the EU’s headquarters in central Budapest in protest at the European Commission’s plans to overhaul the Common Agricultural Policy from 2028, leading to cuts in agricultural subsidies.
US YouTube star IShowSpeed stuns Lithuania in €30,000 visit, sniffs an official’s armpit
Internet personality Darren Jason Watkins, American – better known as IShowSpeed – arrived in Lithuania on July 15, and was welcomed at the airport by Minister of the Economy Lukas Savickas,
Czechia signs nuclear memorandum with Great Britain
Czechia has signed a nuclear memorandum with the United Kingdom aimed at cooperation in nuclear energy, including the development of small modular reactors.
Fidesz offered billions to liberal Momentum to run in 2026 race to hurt Tisza Party's chances, ex-chair claims
Andras Fekete-Gyor said Fidesz offered money and logistical help if the liberal party would field candidates in the 2026 parliamentary race.
Slovak PM Fico delays approval of EU’s sanctions package again, blaming Slovak opposition
Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico has again delayed approval of the latest 18th round of EU sanctions against Russia, blaming his latest blocking on the opposition parties in Slovakia.
Baltic States face surge in fatal overdoses as nitazenes flood region
A powerful and little-known synthetic opioid called nitazene is fuelling a deadly drug crisis across the three Baltic States, with Estonia reporting a threefold rise in overdose deaths in recent years.
Hungary to opt out of financing US weapons for Ukraine, foreign minister says
Péter Szijjarto says Hungary will not contribute to the financing of American weapons deliveries to Ukraine, should such a proposal be officially raised within the European Union.
Migration pushes EU population to record high, but CEE countries continue to shrink
Immigration outweighed the natural population decline in 2024 in just three of the newer EU member states – Croatia, Czechia and Slovenia.
Hungary, Slovakia close to deal on Gabčíkovo-Nagymaros HPP, Hungarian energy minister confirms
Neighbouring countries agree to settle decades-long dispute over joint dam project.
Peter Magyar pledges peaceful regime change and sweeping reforms at Tisza Party congress
Opposition leader pledges peaceful and responsible regime change, unveiling a raft of reform proposals and a slew of election promises.