Criticism of EU-Tunisia migration agreement: The European Union has struck a deal with Tunisia to try to stem the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean. Under the agreement, the Tunisian government committed itself to tightening its sea borders and combating people-smuggling networks, as well as expediting the return of Tunisians who reside illegally in Europe. The EU will provide a broad package of support for the North African country’s embattled economy. On the same day that the migrant deal was finalised, Libyan border guards rescued dozens of migrants they said had been left in the desert by Tunisian authorities without water, food or shelter. Amnesty International condemned the migration agreement, saying that it makes the EU “complicit in the suffering that will inevitably result” in what represents a “dangerous expansion” of failed migration policies. nytimes.com, theguardian.com, amnesty.org

EU-Latin America summit exposes rift over condemnation of Russia war in Ukraine: A summit between European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders on Tuesday highlighted a rift over how to condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine as, until the last minute, they haggled over the final wording of the summit communiqué. Some Latin American leaders had in the weeks prior expressed frustration with Europe’s insistence on the importance of the war in Ukraine and were seeking to remove any reference to the war from the summit declaration. Subsequent versions of the draft communiqué showed that language on Ukraine had been watered down, going from “strongly” condemning Russia “violating” Ukraine’s sovereignty, to a version that “expressed concern” about the war in Ukraine. euractiv.com

• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrated an „excellent summit“ and said „it feels like a new beginning among old friends.“

EU and Chile strengthen cooperation on sustainable critical raw materials supply chains: In line with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and with the Critical Raw Materials Act, the partnership aims to deepen cooperation in the field of sustainable raw materials value chains that are necessary for the clean energy and digital transition of both partners. It also aims to develop a competitive and sustainable industry for processing raw materials and local value added in the mining sector, creating quality employment and sustainable and inclusive economic growth, to the mutual benefit of both sides. ec.europa.eu

China urges EU to clarify its position on partnership: The European Union must further clarify its position on its strategic partnership with Beijing, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi told European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, as EU leaders called for reduced dependence on China. The launch of an EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership in 2003 had promised to elevate ties beyond trade and investment. But since 2019, the 27-nation bloc has called China an „economic competitor“ and a „systemic rival“, with Beijing’s close relations with Moscow after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine increasing the caution. reuters.com

Russia stops Ukraine grain deal: Russia said on Monday it was withdrawing from a wartime agreement to allow grain exports from Ukraine through the Black Sea until its demands to loosen sanctions on its own agricultural exports were met, upending a deal that has helped stabilise global food prices and alleviate shortages in parts of Africa and the Middle East. The United Nations’ secretary general, António Guterres, said he was “deeply disappointed” by Moscow’s decision, and that millions of people facing hunger, as well as consumers confronting a cost-of-living crisis, would “pay a price.” nytimes.com, reuters.com

• EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Russia’s decision a „cynical move“, adding that the EU would continue to work towards ensuring food security for poor countries.
• EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said Moscow’s decision was unjustified and was using food as a weapon in the conflict with Ukraine.
• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia’s decision was “unconscionable” and called for the pact to be restored as quickly as possible.
• Wheat prices rose by just under 2% in Europe and by just under 3% in the US.

EU finance ministers in favour of additional funding for Ukraine: European Union finance ministers on Friday unanimously backed extra funds for Ukraine through a top-up of its long-term budget, although differences persisted over other spending that threaten to delay or block proposed aid to Kyiv. Spanish Finance Minister Nadia Calvino told a news conference that EU finance ministers meeting on Friday had backed continued financial support for Ukraine. reuters.com

EU set to probe Microsoft over bundling Teams with Office: The EU is set to open a formal investigation into whether Microsoft bundling its Teams collaboration app with its Office 365 productivity suite is unfair to rival software companies. The EU’s interest in Microsoft’s productivity tools stems from a complaint from another platform, Slack, made back in 2020, which said that Teams was being “force installed” for Office customers. techmonitor.ai

EU Parliament to vote on multi-million euro building: EU lawmakers are set to vote on a plan to lease and potentially buy a building next to the European Parliament in Strasbourg following a lengthy – and increasingly bitter – battle between the Parliament’s leaders. Ahead of the vote, political group officials warned that the contract presented to the committee, which has oversight of EU spending, states that the French government can sell the building at any time without consulting the Parliament. They added that it was also unclear what the future purchase price would be, should the Parliament decide to acquire it. euractiv.com

Kosovo’s absence from EU-Western Balkan meeting raises eyebrows: Both Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi were absent from an informal gathering of regional leaders in Tirana on Monday, with the latter denying claims they were not invited or even refused entry. euractiv.com