Eurotopics.net

At the start of a nuclear energy summit near Paris, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described Europe's move away from nuclear power as a "strategic mistake". In 1990, roughly one third of Europe's electricity came from nuclear energy; today that figure has dropped to just under 15 percent. Nuclear power is a "reliable and affordable source of low-emission energy," von der Leyen said.

In Cyprus, popular discontent is growing over the British military presence on the island. Demonstrators held a rally outside the presidential palace in Nicosia on Saturday calling for UK military bases to be closed. The demand comes in the wake of a drone strike from Lebanon on the Akrotiri air base on 1 March. The UK has had two bases in Akrotiri and Dhekelia since 1960 which are now being used by the US military in the Iran war.

The escalating situation in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are causing energy prices to skyrocket worldwide. Even after Donald Trump hinted on Monday that the war could end very soon and G7 countries discussed drawing on strategic oil reserves, prices remain well above their level at the end of February. The European press assesses causes, consequences and possible solutions.

In Finland current legislation bans the import, manufacture, possession and detonation of nuclear weapons - even in the case of war. Three years after joining Nato, Finland's government has now announced that the ban will be lifted in order to "take full advantage of Nato's deterrence and collective defence", according to Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen. For the moment, however, Helsinki has no plans to host atomic weapons.