Stories from brussels · Belgium

The European Commission is reviewing whether Serbia meets necessary conditions to access funds from the €6 billion Western Balkans growth initiative. Officials expressed concern regarding the current situation in Serbia. The Commission is currently evaluating if the state satisfies the requirements to obtain these financial resources. The Serbian government is utilizing strategic reform documents adopted in October 2024 to access funds from the EU Growth Plan. Serbia is actively pursuing these funds by implementing a strategic reform agenda adopted in October 2024 to facilitate EU accession. Serbia has already received approximately 110 million euros in pre-financing from the EU Growth Plan. The European Commission transferred 51.7 million euros in the first half of 2025 as a concessional loan. Denial of further funds would represent a loss for the country.

Only 12 of the 27 European Union member states currently maintain active nuclear power plants. Countries such as Poland and Estonia are evaluating nuclear energy to improve power grid sustainability. Proponents argue that domestic nuclear production increases energy independence and provides predictable, environmentally friendly supply. The average age of the approximately 100 active reactors in the EU is 40 years. Countries like France are planning to extend reactor lifespans to 50 or 60 years. Some nations, including Poland and Estonia, are currently reviewing nuclear energy options. Emmanuel Macron leads a nuclear alliance consisting of 15 EU member states that positions nuclear energy alongside renewables. Environmental historian Frank Ükert from Ruhr University Bochum criticized the move, citing unresolved issues regarding waste disposal, radiation risks, and environmental damage.

EU representatives and Middle East nations have agreed on three urgent action priorities for the region. These include restoring maritime freedom in the Strait of Hormuz through multilateral coordination and promoting a sustainable ceasefire as a foundation for peace. The plan also aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the area. A coalition of over 50 nations, led by France and the United Kingdom, is currently advancing a multilateral mission plan. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for the establishment of a collective security mechanism in the Middle East that operates without United States intervention. Araghchi met with Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq in Muscat on Sunday to discuss regional mediation efforts. The Iranian official stated that the presence of US military forces in the region leads to instability and division.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted that Middle East conflicts and the closure of the Armus Strait are negatively impacting the EU economy. The European Union is evaluating strategies for modular nuclear reactors and extending the lifespan of existing plants. The average age of the approximately 100 active reactors in the EU is 40 years. Countries like France are planning to extend operational lifespans to 50 or 60 years. Concerns exist regarding rising operating costs for older reactors. This debate occurs 40 years after the Chernobyl disaster. The European Union's new strategy to promote nuclear energy faces potential financial challenges due to rising operational costs. Experts warn the strategy could become a financial burden as maintenance costs for aging infrastructure increase.

Tisza party leader Péter Magyar plans to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss unfreezing EU funds for Hungary. The deadline to utilize these funds expires in August. The head of the European mission described a meeting in Brussels as very good. Discussions focused on necessary steps to unblock European Union funds previously frozen for Hungary due to corruption and rule of law concerns. The funds were withheld due to concerns regarding corruption and judicial independence under Viktor Orban. It remains unclear how quickly Prime Minister Viktor Orban can secure the funds for Hungary. The European Commission and the Hungarian government maintain tensions over migration policy. The source did not specify the outcome of the talks.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis are advocating for an extension of the EU Recovery Fund repayment period. Brussels is discussing whether member states can extend a deadline set for the end of August. The discussion involves whether a majority of member states can postpone the deadline or if funds could be parked in the Hungarian Development Bank. Current EU rules suggest that without these reforms, necessary funds may be lost. Implementing complex reforms within a few months is described as technically difficult. Approximately 70 million euros of EU infrastructure and development funds are subject to pending reforms. These reforms are being addressed in the context of an ongoing political and stability crisis. The implementation of these reforms is expected to occur in June.

The European Union remains the primary commercial partner for African nations. In 2025, total trade flows, including both exports and imports, exceeded $450 billion.

Three inmates required medical treatment for smoke inhalation following a fire at Saint-Gilles prison. The fire started outside the prison perimeter during the night. Emergency services managed to control the blaze quickly. No other injuries were reported during the incident. Gillis prison in Brussels. No injuries to staff or structural damage were reported.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has labeled the phase-out of nuclear power a strategic error. She is currently advocating for a renaissance of nuclear energy across the continent. In Germany, politicians from the CDU and CSU are also calling for the potential reactivation of decommissioned nuclear power plants. All German nuclear power plants have remained shut down for three years. She stated that while nuclear power may not be technically or economically viable for current needs, rising energy prices due to the Iran war highlight the risks of oil and gas import dependency. Nuclear power plants contributed less than 6% to electricity and less than 2% to total energy consumption last year before being decommissioned. The current contribution level is deemed insufficient to stabilize energy costs.

NATO members, Canada, and Italy have expressed dissatisfaction with US military actions against Iran. The criticism follows potential demands for war reparations from Iran. Iran has proposed new conditions regarding the management and tolling of the Strait of Hormuz in response to these tensions. The geopolitical situation remains fluid as leaders weigh the implications of US-led military pressure. Araghchi's departure follows a trip through Oman and Azerbaijan. The move comes after Donald Trump characterized the recent shooter as a lone wolf. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has left Islamabad following a visit to Oman and Azerbaijan. His departure follows the cancellation of a planned visit to the US by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.