Internal dissent over Israel measures
Martin Engell-Rossen, the head of cabinet for Commissioner Dan Jørgensen, spoke critically about the new package of Israel measures in a meeting of top officials in the Berlaymont earlier this month before they were presented to the public, Rapporteur can reveal. One source said Engell-Rossen was outraged.
Jørgensen’s cabinet said the commissioner and his team have supported the measures at every level, and that Engell-Rossen “simply made a point that it should be the government of Israel paying, not the Israeli people.”
Engell-Rossen is known in Denmark for having been a powerful political adviser to Danish PM Mette Frederiksen. The only commissioner said to have been unhappy with the measures was Hungary’s Olivér Varhélyi, whose right-hand man László Kristóffy spoke out in the same meeting.
Denmark won’t recognise Palestine for now
While other European countries moved to recognise Palestine at the UN General Assembly, Denmark signalled it would hold back, Magnus Lund Nielsen reports.
Copenhagen, set to chair more EU meetings about Israel sanctions, said its recognition depends on Hamas’ demilitarisation, the release of hostages, and reforms within the Palestinian Authority. Mette Frederiksen, meanwhile, has clashed openly with Benjamin Netanyahu.
Von der Leyen used her big UN speech last night to reiterate the Commission's plan to establish an international “donor group” to help the Palestinian Authority (PA) finance the rebuilding of Gaza. But the idea is hardly new: the Commission has been touting the start of this so-called “donor platform” for more than a year, and is yet to hold its first meeting. The Commission has also tied the initiative to reforms that it wants the PA to undertake.
As expected, Emmanuel Macron recognised Palestine in a speech at the UN last night, Spain’s Pedro Sánchez called for immediate measures to “stop the barbarity” in Gaza.
AI Act: from landmark to landfill?
When the EU passed its AI Act last year, lawmakers hailed it as proof Europe could lead on regulating new technologies. But the wind has now changed direction: companies, capitals – and most recently the bloc’s omniscient seer Mario Draghi – have called for delays and dilution.
National governments will today debate how far to tweak the law as part of the Commission’s push to simplify the EU rulebook, according to a Danish discussion note obtained by my colleague Maximilian Henning. Its message in short: celebrate the win but now think of our small companies.
Europe drones on about Russian incursions
Ambassadors of the 32 NATO allies meet this morning to address Russia's latest airspace violation, several diplomats told Firepower, Euractiv's defence newsletter. Estonia called for Article 4 consultations on Friday evening after Russian fighters crossed into its territory. Secretary-General Mark Rutte will speak at 12:45pm Brussels time.
At the UN last night, Kaja Kallas backed Donald Tusk’s warning on Monday that Poland will shoot down any aircraft that flagrantly violate its airspace and pose a threat. “If planes are violating airspace, every country has the right to defend itself and act accordingly,” she said.
On Friday, Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius is expected to convene eastern flank countries on the EU’s “Drone Wall” initiative. Seven countries – Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania – will join, he said. Hungary and Slovakia are opting out. |
