Eurotopics.net

The eight Nato states bordering the Baltic Sea have agreed on a joint strategy to counter acts of sabotage at a summit in Helsinki. As part of their Operation Baltic Sentry, warships and drones will be deployed to monitor shipping traffic. There have been several incidents of damage to Baltic pipelines and data and power cables in recent months. Ships belonging to Russia's shadow fleet are the prime suspects.

There are growing signs that an agreement in the Gaza war is imminent. A draft agreement provides for the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages for around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners and a 42-day ceasefire, with Israel's army withdrawing from parts of the Gaza Strip. During this time further releases and a long-term ceasefire would be negotiated.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced an action plan to tackle the country's escalating housing shortage. Empty flats are to be converted into affordable rental flats with the help of subsidies and tax breaks and 3,300 public flats are to be built as an initial measure. In addition, there will be new restrictions on holiday flats and property ownership by non-EU citizens.

Incumbent Zoran Milanović has won a second term as Croatia's president in the runoff vote on Sunday. He secured more than 74 percent of the vote, easily beating former minister Dragan Primorac, who was supported by the conservative ruling party HDZ. Milanović comes from the Social Democratic Party. He was prime minister from 2011 to 2016 and has held the office of head of state since 2020.