A scoop you have to read today:
Czech central bank Governor Ales Michl said he sees a stronger argument to raise interest rates in June to contain inflationary pressures https://t.co/guACR8CIWO
The Czech Republic will block the European Union’s attempts to sanction Israel’s national security minister over his treatment of activists who were trying to get aid into Gaza, the country’s top diplomat says https://t.co/GdZvG3nxXI
Prime Minister Albin Kurti is on track to win a third election in Kosovo in 18 months, which sought to break months of political deadlock that hurt efforts to improve ties with allies and the Serbian minority. https://t.co/8zUCRVL3MU
From earlier today, with @samyadghirni & @jaskuzmanovic: No consensus after key nations tasked with selecting the next special envoy to Bosnia and Herzegovina are at odds over whom to appoint to the role and what kind of weight it should carry https://t.co/TNQO4S7yEN
Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob’s chances of forming a government became more complicated Friday when lawmakers picked a new parliament speaker whose party is seen as more likely to back his rival’s right-wing bloc. https://t.co/yTxKZZvT9G
Good deal. It should be welcomed.
Still, it would be fantastic to be a fly on the wall when this deal was pitched. Just to listen Hungarian officials, with a straight face, explain to their U.S. counterpart how it can be easily done via Adriatic Pipeline (JANAF) because it has proven capacity. We were making that very point ourselves during our recent visit and meetings in Washington.
Recent weeks have made that point rather clearly, because Adriatic pipeline has been supplying both the Hungarian and Slovak markets without drama.
In the end, Washington gets a deal, someone gets the photo-op and Croatia gets its familiar supporting role – making everyone else’s “strategic sovereignty” actually work.
Funny how the “secondary” route becomes essential the moment the stakes get bigger.
P.S. As Yes Minister would advise: “in politics you must learn to say things with tact and finesse, you berk! And when to say nothing at all”. It would have been easier in recent months if someone had taken that advice.
Slovakia makes more autos than anywhere else in the world relative to its size. Now it's scaling up production of shells to become a key European supplier. https://t.co/N1ir2k8SrO