Σάββατο 05 Σεπτεμβρίου 2026
4 άρθρα
Five states set 2027 return-hub target
Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Greece want a partner-country agreement around the new year and the first transfers by the end of 2027. No prospective host has committed, the EU regulation still awaits Council approval, and responsibility for people after transfer remains unresolved.
Trump’s Ukraine proposal needs Europe’s consent
Witkoff and Kushner are carrying an undisclosed peace proposal from Moscow to Kyiv, where Ukrainian leaders will hear it for the first time. Russia’s territorial demands remain unchanged, and any settlement promising sanctions relief, reconstruction funds or security guarantees would still depend on European governments excluded from the weekend talks.
Eleven operators widen an unfinished gas corridor
The Thessaloniki agreement brings Serbia and North Macedonia into a route designed to replace Russian gas before the EU’s 2027 deadlines. Greece’s LNG terminals and the Bulgarian link already carry gas, but crucial Balkan connections require construction through 2028, leaving Serbia’s booked capacity far below its needs and continued Gazprom dependence intact.
EU sets a 30% quality floor
Brussels wants quality to determine at least 30% of public-contract scores, rising to 50% in labour-intensive sectors. The 9 September proposal could reward stronger labour and climate standards while disadvantaging some Chinese suppliers, but governments remain divided over higher costs and whether local authorities can reliably assess bidders’ promises.