A European Parliament study finds that the main obstacle to financing clean inland waterway transport is a weak business case, rather than a lack of capital. Written for the European Parliament by CE Delft, the study recommends an EU policy package, including a dedicated blended finance mechanism to make vessel retrofits bankable.
On October 12, the European Union established the European Union Support Mission for Lebanon (EUSM Lebanon), under which Beirut port will receive support to strengthen security governance. The mission’s initial mandate is three years, but actual deployment still requires a separate decision by the Council.
Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said the government is considering further support measures on top of the more than €1 billion in aid already announced and implemented. Some of the new measures will require approval from the European Commission. The government is implementing a three-part plan: zero VAT on some products, tax reform to increase disposable income, and preparations to connect the Vassilikos power plant to natural gas. Cyprus has recorded a budget surplus for the third consecutive year and will present specific proposals at the European Council in Brussels over the next two days.