STRASBOURG Alex Verdugo World Baseball Classic Jersey , Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU)'s executive chief proposed the establishment of a new EU framework for screening foreign investment in response to the calls from Germany, France and Italy for vetting takeovers in the bloc's sensitive sectors.
"Europe must always defend its strategic interests," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told European lawmakers in his State of Union speech.
Juncker said if a foreign, state-owned company wanted to purchase the bloc's sensitive assets such as harbor Chris Roberson World Baseball Classic Jersey , part of energy infrastructure or a defence technology firm, "this should only happen in transparency, with scrutiny and debate."
"It is a political responsibility to know what is going on in our own backyard so that we can protect our collective security if needed," Juncker said.
The executive chief did not explicate the new EU framework. EU officials reportedly said that the framework would focus on improving coordination between EU member states.
The executive body would give non-binding opinions if some takeovers in sensitive sectors raise security concerns for member states. On the other hand Sebastian Elizalde World Baseball Classic Jersey , EU member states could comply or state their reasons.
Media reported that Germany, France and Italy have petitioned the Commission to allow member states to block foreign companies' acquisitions of European know-how.
In June's EU summit, the European Council asked the Commission to analyze non-EU investment in the bloc's strategic sectors.
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THE HAGUE, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Stef Blok revoked the Dutch nationality of four men on Wednesday who had been convicted of terrorist offences in Syria, warning that similar measures would be taken against more jihadists.
It is the first time that the Dutch government has taken this administrative measure after a new law was adopted by the Senate (De Eerste Kamer) last February. The law makes it possible to revoke the Dutch nationality of jihadists with dual nationalities who joined a terrorist organization abroad, as they may constitute a direct threat to national security should they return to the Netherlands.
The four men were all sentenced to jail terms in absentia and three are thought to still be in Syria. One is thought to have died years ago. Besides Dutch nationality Luis Urias World Baseball Classic Jersey , they also have Moroccan nationality. Declared as persona non grata, they can no longer legally enter the Netherlands or other Schengen countries.
They went so far against "what we are in the Netherlands" that they are no longer worthy of possessing Dutch citizenship, Blok told Dutch media.
The jihadist movement in the Netherlands consists of a few hundred members and thousands of sympathizers, according to the Dutch National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV). As of June 2017 Manny Rodriguez World Baseball Classic Jersey , a total of some 280 people had left the Netherlands with jihadist intentions. Of them, approximately 190 are still in Syria and Iraq, 45 have died and around 50 have returned.
Earlier in August, nine Dutch citizens were added to the country's national terrorism list Esteban Quiroz World Baseball Classic Jersey , bringing the total number to 124, including three organizations and 121 individuals.
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BEIJING Efren Navarro World Baseball Classic Jersey , March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday told Britain's Prince William he was looking forward to visiting the United Kingdom later this year at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth II.
"I look forward to meeting British leaders during the visit to jointly plan out the future of China-UK relations," Xi told the prince after being handed the invitation by the prince during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People.
Xi said both China and the United Kingdom were influential countries in the world and that they shared common interests and responsibilities.
Hailing the development of the China-UK comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi highlighted cooperation between the two countries in finance, nuclear power and high speed railways.
Xi said the trade volume had exceeded 80 billion U.S. dollars between the two countries and that the United Kingdom was a major destination for Chinese investment.
As China and the UK are important representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations Brandon Laird World Baseball Classic Jersey , Xi said the exchanges and cooperation between the two countries would make contributions to the progress of global civilizations.
Xi asked Prince William to convey his cordial greetings and best wishes to the queen.
"The British royal family holds great influence, not just in the UK but across the world," Xi said.
The British royal family has shown great interest in and support for the China-UK relationship and has contributed to exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, Xi said Adrian Gonzalez World Baseball Classic Jersey , adding that the China looked forward to welcoming more members of the royal family to the country.
Prince William said he was ready to strengthen relations between the countries, and he was particularly interested in the younger generation.