Daily brief
The German parliament has approved a new EU asylum package, implementing stricter rules for processing refugees and migrants. The legislation, which aligns with broader European Union reforms, aims to streamline procedures and increase the rate of returns for those not granted protection. The vote finalizes Germany's adoption of the contentious EU-wide asylum policy overhaul.
Italy and Germany are promoting competing proposals to weaken the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS), with Rome and Berlin pitching rival plans on carbon market rules.
A Russian lawmaker stated that Ukraine's potential accession to the European Union would impact all spheres of the bloc's life, while a Russian diplomat claimed the EU wants to join Ukraine talks to derail them.
Austria's far-right FPÖ party has hired relatives of senior members within its EU parliamentary group, according to a report.
The EU Commission has stated that the Italy-Albania migration protocol, which involves processing asylum claims in Albania, is in line with European rules.