Eurotopics.net

In Turkey, the foundation stone has been laid for the first bridge across the Istanbul Canal. The 45-kilometre canal is to provide an alternative to the Bosporus as a connection between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara. Opponents fear it will cause major damage to the environment while the government argues that it will relieve the pressure on the Bosporus strait and prevent accidents. While the number of vessels using the strait has been in decline for several years, their size and weight are increasing.

The Bulgarian transitional government has confirmed a decision made under ex-prime minister Boyko Borisov to introduce the euro as the official currency on 1 January 2024. The "national plan" is now to be publicly debated - the EU has yet to announce its stance on the matter. Bulgaria has long been arguing about the pros and cons of adopting the euro. The divisiveness of the issue is also reflected in the commentaries.

The new EU-wide Digital Covid Certificate which aims to facilitate travel for those who are vaccinated comes into force today, 1 July. But several states are still having problems issuing or checking the vaccination certificate. Commentators see further hurdles on the path back to unrestricted freedom of travel but hail the certificate as an integrating achievement.

A brutal civil war has been raging between the Ethiopian army and the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia since November. Now the TDF has apparently gained the upper hand, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced a ceasefire. But this is not the end of the violence, commentators fear.