Eurotopics.net

The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the Catalan President Quim Torra began talks on Wednesday aimed at resolving the Catalan conflict. The discussion focused first of all on formalities such as the frequency of meetings and the venues where they should take place. Expectations for the talks voiced in the Spanish press vary.

Coronavirus continues to spread, with the number of registered cases in Italy having risen to more than 320. Many observers fear the epidemic will also cause major economic damage due to production losses, disrupted supply chains and a decline in consumption. Others sense opportunities amid the dangers.

Greek police used tear gas on the islands of Lesbos and Chios on Tuesday night to disperse demonstrators who are protesting the construction of new, closed camps for refugees. The local inhabitants want newly arrived migrants to be taken directly to the mainland once they are registered. An unrealistic demand?

Slovakians will elect a new parliament on 29 February. The governing party Smer is still leading the polls but the scandal over the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak has clearly put a big dent in its popularity and benefited the far right and right-wing populists. Europe's press looks at the consequences of the presumed outcome.

The former president of Egypt Hosni Mubarak has died at the age of 91. The dictator ruled the country for 30 years until he was overthrown in 2011 during the Arab Spring. He was released from prison in 2017 after being acquitted on most charges. European media look back on his rule with a sense of unease.