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Tag: European Union (EU)

  • EU freezes work on U.S. trade deal ‘until further notice’

    EU freezes work on U.S. trade deal ‘until further notice’

    The European Union (EU) has put work on its trade agreement with the U.S. on hold, according to an announcement yesterday by the chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee.

    “Now official: EU-U.S. deal is on hold until further notice!” Bernd Lange wrote on U.S. social media platform X.

    Lange said the negotiating team decided to suspend the work of the European Parliament trade committee on the legal implementation of the Turnberry deal.

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    “Our sovereignty and territorial integrity are at stake. Business as usual impossible,” he wrote, referring to tensions about Greenland and tariffs.

    It remains unclear whether the entire trade agreement has been shelved or whether provisions that have already entered into force will continue to apply.

    The agreement, which called for 15% tariffs on EU goods shipped to the U.S., was reached in a preliminary deal in July. Large parts were implemented before the agreement was formally signed.

  • EU countries back stricter rules for deportation process

    EU countries back stricter rules for deportation process

    European Union (EU) member states says it’s aiming to tighten the rules for asylum-seekers whose claims have been rejected and process deportations more efficiently.

     This is according to plans announced yesterday.

    “Three in four irregular migrants who have been issued a return decision in the EU, continue to stay here instead of returning home,” said Danish Immigration Minister Rasmus Stoklund, who chaired the talks.

    “I believe the new set of rules significantly can help improve these numbers,” he added.

    The agreement struck at a meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels will mean that people without the right to stay in the EU will for the first time be subject to new obligations, Stoklund said.

    Failed asylum-seekers will face penalties if they fail to actively cooperate in the deportation process or to present identification documents immediately upon request.

     Penalties can include a reduction in benefits, a longer entry ban, or in some cases imprisonment.

     In addition, stricter rules are to apply to people who are categorised as a security risk.

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    The agreement also opens the way for migrant return centres in third countries.

    Additionally, EU countries can, on a voluntary basis, recognise and enforce a deportation decisions taken in another EU country without having to start the procedure of issuing a new return decision.

    The details of the new rules are to be finalised in negotiations with the European Parliament.

    However, no major changes are expected.

    According to the EU Asylum Agency, the German authorities received 70,000 applications from new arrivals in the first half of the year.

    This puts Germany in third place within the EU behind France (78,000) and Spain (77,000).

  • EU supports Nigeria’s digital sector for sustainable economic growth

    EU supports Nigeria’s digital sector for sustainable economic growth

    The European Union (EU) has said it was supporting Nigeria’s digital sector for sustainable economic growth.

    To back the sector, the EU announced an €820 million digital economic package for Nigeria through the EU-Nigeria digital economy package in 2022.

    The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot said Nigeria’s digital sector holds enormous potential to drive sustainable growth and development across the country.

    Speaking during the Omniverse Summit in Lagos, Team Lead for Green and Digital Economy at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Inga Stefanowicz said the potential and talent in Nigeria was responsible for the investments in the digital sector.

    The Omniverse Summit is a transformative platform designed to unite Africa’s most influential players—startups, policymakers, and innovators—into one seamless digital ecosystem.

    The EU is facilitating Nigeria’s digital transformation through investments in digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship, skills development, and e-governance, with plans to extend this support further from 2025.

    She said: “In February 2022, we announced an €820 million digital economic package for Nigeria—the EU-Nigeria digital economy package. This package also contributes, in part, to the Omniverse event. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology; and other public and private sector partners, with leadership from GIZ and the Innovation Support Network (ISN).

    “The Digital Transformation Centre (DTC), funded by the EU, co-funded by Germany, and implemented by GIZ, is the first project launched from this digital economy package in Nigeria. It focuses on the digital economy and innovation ecosystem in the private sector.

    “We saw the potential and talent in Nigeria, and this was the best starting point for our journey. This initiative wouldn’t have been possible without the Innovation Support Network (ISN), who have led this initiative for the second time in a row.”

    Stefanowicz also emphasised the importance of working closely with Nigerian partners.

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    She added: “We are working intensively with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy; the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology; and other public and private sector partners to ensure that Nigeria’s digital economy continues to grow and innovate.”

    Stefanowicz explained that through the Global Gateway Strategy, the EU is supporting Nigeria’s digitalisation blueprint.

    “A key part of our mission is to bring the internet to every corner of Nigeria. The 90,000 km of fibre optics cable being rolled out by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy is a vital part of this.

    “We are providing technical expertise to the project and exploring ways to support it financially, helping lower the cost of the entire enterprise. This initiative will not only ensure internet access for Nigerians, but it will also benefit local economies and businesses by enhancing connectivity, which in turn can lead to job creation.

    “We are working on the digitalisation of public services to improve efficiency, transparency, and access to information. Digital literacy is also a priority so that every citizen and business can fully leverage the opportunities the digital economy provides, as well as the more efficient public services that will emerge.”

    She further disclosed that the EU is actively supporting Nigeria in building the digital skills needed to meet the growing demand in the economy.

    She added: “This will help Nigerians become producers of digital content—both soft and hard. Additionally, we are supporting the 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, which is designed to aid Nigeria’s transition to the digital economy. The potential for absorbing talent in the ICT sector in Nigeria is enormous.”

    The summit was organised in collaboration with EU, GIZ’s Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEED), the Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Federal Ministry for Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, among others.

  • EU reaffirms commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem

    EU reaffirms commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem

    The European Union (EU) has reiterated its commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, emphasizing its potential to revitalize the economy, equip youths with digital skills, and generate employment opportunities across the country.

    As part of its Global Gateway Strategy, the EU is spearheading digital investments through an €820 million Digital Package aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure, governance, and skills development while fostering job creation.

    Speaking at the Omniverse Summit in Lagos, EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, underscored the significance of such platforms in uniting Africa’s leading startups, policymakers, and innovators to build a dynamic digital ecosystem.

    “The European Union is proud to partner with the Omniverse Summit because it exemplifies our objectives under the Global Gateway Strategy,” Mignot stated. “Through partnerships with Germany and Nigerian stakeholders, we aim to connect people and drive innovation while achieving the triple transition the world needs—green, digital, and inclusive—creating jobs and opportunities, particularly for young Nigerians.”

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    Highlighting digitalization as a core priority of the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy in Nigeria, the envoy stressed the necessity of regulations to ensure a structured and efficient digital landscape.

    “The EU remains steadfast in its support for Nigeria’s digital future. Our commitment is reflected in the €800 million digital package we announced for Nigeria, reinforcing our belief that global challenges can only be addressed through collective action,” Mignot said. “We recognize that the destinies of Nigeria, Africa, and Europe are closely interconnected.”

    He further emphasized the EU’s collaboration with the Omniverse Summit alongside Germany, expressing confidence that the event would catalyze new projects, partnerships, and investment deals.

    The Omniverse Summit was organized in partnership with several stakeholders, including the EU, GIZ’s Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SEED) and Digital Transformation Centre Nigeria, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Federal Ministry for Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, among others.

  • Ukraine seeks EU’s inclusion in U.S. minerals deal

    Ukraine seeks EU’s inclusion in U.S. minerals deal

    Kiev wanted to involve the European Union (EU) in negotiations on minerals deal with the United States due to the bloc’s financial support for Ukraine’s state budget, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna said yesterday.

    The agreement on Ukraine’s natural resources, including rare earth metals, outlines provisions for joint ownership and decision-making regarding the use of the recovery fund.

    Stefanishyna emphasised that future negotiations cannot proceed without the EU and other partners who have provided significant financial support to Ukraine’s state budget and with whom Ukraine has legal commitments under EU accession talks.

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    “We cannot plan future negotiations without the participation of the EU and other partners,” Stefanishyna was quoted as saying by Ukrainian news outlet Рravo.ua.

    “Therefore, the number of participants in the negotiations will expand, and this is the key task for the Ukrainian delegation.”

    The official added that the agreement on natural resources with the U.S. was not an international treaty, unlike the agreement on the creation of the recovery fund.

    Signing the agreement did not impose immediate legal or financial obligations on Ukraine.

    Stefanishyna also noted that the U.S. government reserves the right to protect facilities that generate revenues for the fund.

  • EU adopts fresh sanctions against Russia’s entities

    EU adopts fresh sanctions against Russia’s entities

    •U.S. lobby against Ukraine, West resolution at UN failed

    The division between the United States (U.S.) and European Union (EU) on the Russia-Ukraine conflict dramatically widening  yesterday with the Council of Ministers of the Western countries imposing targeted restrictive measures on an additional 48 Russian individuals and 35 entities.

    According to the council, the individuals and firms were “responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”.

    The new package maintained pressure on the Russian military and defence by listing several companies manufacturing weapons, ammunition and other military equipment and technologies.

    Three entities that had been accused of transporting Russian crude oil and oil products and providing substantial revenues to the Russian Government were put under fully-fledged sanctions.

    They were seen as part of the Russian shadow fleet.

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    This came as United States yesterday voted with Russia, North Korea, Belarus and 14 other Moscow-friendly countries on a resolution condemning Russian aggression in Ukraine and calling for its occupied territory to be returned that passed overwhelmingly in the UN General Assembly.

    The U.S. delegation also abstained on its own separate resolution that called simply for a negotiated end to the war after European-sponsored amendments inserting new anti-Russian language also passed the 193-member body by a wide margin.

    The U.S. had lobbied countries around the world to oppose a resolution brought forward at the United Nations General Assembly by Ukraine and European countries on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine and support an American draft resolution instead.

  • EU to boost job creation, industrialisation

    EU to boost job creation, industrialisation

    The European Union (EU) has said it will work to boost job creation in Nigeria through the “Global Gateway” – a new investment strategy aimed at connecting people and accelerating green, digital and inclusive transition in partner countries.

    EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, HE Gautier Mignot, at a briefing in Lagos, said the initiative entails leveraging and accelerating investment and working in coordination with EU companies to bring concrete benefits to Nigerians.

    The flagship projects under the Global Gateway include Omi Eko (Lagos waterway transport), development of the renewable energy sector (solar, small hydropower), production of vaccines (MAV+), Erasmus+ and Horizon programmes.

    He said through the Global Gateway investment agenda, there will be more focus on creating jobs and opportunities, especially for young people, and building on the country’s great sense of entrepreneurship in sectors like green economy, digital, agri-food and health.

    The Ambassador said the EU recognises the importance of accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation and maximising the opportunities for local added-value and job creation.

    “With the Global Gateway Investment Strategy, the EU works in sectors crucial for the transformation and diversification of the Nigerian economy such as energy, digital economy, agriculture and food security.

    “The EU also invests in human development: health, education and social protection, as well as in good governance, migration issues and fundamental rights.

    “The EU is increasingly developing projects in the North of the country as a whole to respond to the specific development needs of this part of Nigeria.

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    “The EU cooperation budget for 2021-2027 amounts to EUR 731 million in grants and is complemented by other instruments,” Mignot said.

    Mignot noted the EU is by far Nigeria’s largest trading and investment partner.

    He said: “EU was Nigeria’s top trading partner in 2023, with 28 per cent of its total trade.

    “Total trade in goods amounts to EUR 35 billion (2023), with an average annual growth rate of 1.5 per cent of EU imports and 0.9 per cent of EU exports (2019-2023). Nigeria benefits from a EUR 10.7 billion trade surplus with the EU.

    “When it comes to investment, a key priority of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria also has its strongest partner in the EU, as our foreign direct investment stock accounts for about 1/3 of Nigerian FDI, totalling EUR 26.4 billion (2022).

    “There are hundreds of EU companies present in Nigeria.

    “EU companies have strict compliance policies on anti-corruption, environment, labour and more generally all local legislation.

    “They are key providers of jobs and equally importantly managerial, technological and vocational training.”

    Mignot, who arrived in Nigeria in September, said he aims to bring the EU-Nigeria partnership to a higher level with one goal: positively impact the Nigerian population.

    “As I told the President, in uncertain times and a fast-evolving, you need constant and faithful partners on whom you know you can count: the EU is one for Nigeria.

    “In turn, we see Nigeria as a key partner and a major player in Africa and the world.

    “EU interests are to see Nigeria consolidate its role as an anchor of stability in Africa and progress on its path towards a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future, resting on a robust democracy and allowing all citizens to enjoy their fundamental rights.

    “We want to help in this endeavour, with full respect for Nigerian sovereignty and with humility because, especially in such a large country, we can not pretend that our cooperation is the main driver of change.”

    Mignot said the European Investment Bank is active in Nigeria with several loans ranging from digital to agriculture, transport and youth and women employment priorities, with an active pipeline of up to EUR 1.3 billion of ongoing operations.

    “The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will soon also extend its operations to West Africa, bringing more financing opportunities, in particular for the private sector,” he said.

    Mignot stressed that the EU recognises the importance of solidarity and remains committed to partnering with the government of Nigeria in assisting the people affected by conflict and violence as well as natural-induced disasters.

    According to him, together with its member states, it is one of the main humanitarian donors in Nigeria.

    “The current EU humanitarian response is provided in the sectors of protection, food security, nutrition, shelter, water and sanitation, education in emergencies, and disaster preparedness.

    “It amounts to EUR 102 million for EU27, almost half of it from the EU.

    “The EU pays particular attention to the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in order to provide durable solutions to populations,” Mignot said.

  • EU rejects election in Belarus, threatens new sanctions

    EU rejects election in Belarus, threatens new sanctions

    The European Union (EU) rejected the election in Belarus yesterday as illegitimate and threatened new sanctions.

    Belarus held an orchestrated vote virtually guaranteed to give 70-year-old autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko yet another term on top of his three decades in power.

    “Today’s sham election in Belarus has been neither free, nor fair,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said in a joint statement.

    “The relentless and unprecedented repression of human rights, restrictions to political participation and access to independent media in Belarus, have deprived the electoral process of any legitimacy,” Kallas and Kos said.

    They urged the Belarusian government to release political prisoners, estimating their number at more than 1,000, including an employee of the EU delegation in Belarus’ capital, Minsk.

    Kallas and Kos said that the decision to invite observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe only 10 days ago prevented the group from monitoring the full electoral process.

    “For these reasons, as well as the involvement of the Belarusian regime in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its hybrid attacks against its neighbours, the EU will continue imposing restrictive and targeted measures” against the Belarusian government, the EU officials said.

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    They didn’t elaborate on what eventual new sanctions would target, or provide a time frame.

    Kallas and some EU foreign ministers are expected to meet Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya  yesterday night in Brussels for an informal, closed-door dinner.

    However, Israel kept thousands of Palestinians from returning to their homes in northern Gaza yesterday as it accused Hamas of violating a fragile ceasefire by changing the order of hostages it has released.

    Local health officials said Israeli forces fired on the crowd, killing two people and wounding nine.

    Israeli forces also opened fire in Lebanon on protesters demanding their withdrawal by yesterday’s deadline in line with a separate ceasefire agreement with the Hezbollah militant group, killing at least 15 people and wounding more than 80.  Israel refused to withdraw by the deadline, accusing Lebanese forces of not deploying quickly enough. Lebanon’s army says it cannot move into areas until Israeli troops leave.

  • EU urges FG to advance rights, protection of children

    EU urges FG to advance rights, protection of children

    The European Union (EU) has called on the Federal Government to prioritise the rights and protection of Nigerian children from all forms of discrimination and intimidation.

    Speaking at the International Human Rights Day with the theme: “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now – Advancing Rights and Protection for Children in Nigeria”, organised by the EU Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), EU officials highlighted the importance of protecting children.

    The event marked the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism and the commemoration of the 2024 International Human Rights Day.

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    The EU Ambassador-designate to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, emphasised the need for states to move beyond merely adopting the Child Rights Act and focus on its effective implementation.

    Mignot stressed the urgency of safeguarding children’s rights, calling for increased government funding to address the needs of Nigerian children.

    He said: “Children remain at the heart of our human rights strategy and are central to our external relations.

  • EU, Oxfam, DEC inaugurate PROSELL to ensure food security in Taraba

    The European Union (EU), Oxfam in Nigeria, and Development Exchange Center (DEC) have inaugurated the  Produce and Sell (PROSELL) initiative with Taraba state government in order to increase productivity and and income of farmers in the state.
    The project which was launched in Jalingo, the state capital, targets about 300,000 people in 30,000 farming households in Donga, Wukari, Ardo Kola, Kurmi, Takum and Zing Local Government Areas of the state.
    Oxfam Head, Influencing and Public Engagement: Abdulazeez Musa, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the project was being funded by the EU and jointly implemented by Oxfam in Nigeria and DEC.
    According to him, the PROSELL project seeks to improve the resilience of small-scale farmers, fishermen and livestock owners in the face of shocks from climate change, such as changing rainfall patterns, drought and desertification.
    He explained that the implementation of the new project followed the success of another EU project named Pro-Resilience Action (PROACT), a similar EU-funded project that is currently reaching 35,000 farming households in Kebbi and Adamawa States.
    “PROACT has helped to increase farmers’ access to timely agricultural inputs such as seeds and fertilizers; finance for farmer groups; knowledge on practices to improved their yield through farmer field training schools, and community-owned grain reserves to provide food in the lean season, tree planting for fight climate change and village savings and loans association to grow flexible financial services for the rural poor.
    “The net result of PROACT is at least 100% agricultural yield increase across Adamawa and Kebbi States and this is what is being replicated in Taraba State,” the statement said.
    The Head of the Health, Nutrition and Resilience Section at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ms. Montserrat Pantaleoni, stressed the importance of the EU’s focus on women and youth not only in Taraba state, but for the country as a whole.
    Ms. Pantaleoni, who represented the Head of Delegation, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, said: “This project will target 50% women and 30% youth, and this is important. It is predicted that Nigeria will be the fourth most populous country in the world by 2050, it is essential that population growth is accompanied by sustainable economic development.
    “It is crucial that women and young people, who make up most of the country, are able to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
    “PROSELL will strengthen Taraba’s capacity to provide more jobs and more food for its people. We believe our investments will contribute to making not only Taraba’s economy great, but the whole Nigeria’s economy.”
    In his remarks, acting Country Director of Oxfam in Nigeria, Mr. Constant Tchona, explained that PROSELL would fulfill a strong need for agricultural and socioeconomic development in Taraba State.
    “77% of people in Taraba State are living in poverty in a state where vast majority of the people work in agriculture, so we know that there is a need to do agriculture better in the state.
    “Also, 43% of children in Taraba experience stunted growth due to malnutrition, which means that access to nutritious food is also a challenge.
    “There are also issues of conflict and natural resource management. All of this is why we believe that a project like PROSELL can make much-needed and visible impact in Taraba State and, by extension, Nigeria as a whole,” Tchona said.
    The state Governor Darius Ishaku, commended the EU for its ‘timely intervention’, which he said would immensely complement his administration’s effort in food resilience.
    He added that the PROSELL initiative was in line with his administration’s Agriculture Rescue Agenda, geared towards increased productivity and enhancing livelihood of small-scale farmers in the state.