| Welcome to the Brussels Edition, Bloomberg's daily briefing on what matters most in the heart of the European Union. European Union efforts to help the bloc's economies rebound from the unprecedented recession will get a small boost today when finance ministers sign off on emergency support from the eurozone bailout fund. Yet, without any fresh details on the timing or content of a long-anticipated recovery fund, the ministers will have little to talk about on the key element of the EU's response. Instead, they may shift their attention to state aid, where divergences in support richer and poorer countries have given their national companies have ignited fears of unfair competition. That, in turn, risks fragmentation of the EU's much-prized single market.
— Viktoria Dendrinou What's Happening Going Nowhere | With the latest round of Brexit negotiations concluding today, the British government is doubling down on its red lines. For Boris Johnson, hurdles to an accord include the EU's demand for the U.K. to stick to its rules on goods and its call to continue access to British fishing waters. Irked by Israel | EU foreign ministers will use a video conference today to discuss an Israeli plan to annex West Bank land that the Palestinians want for a state. But don't expect the bloc to move swiftly toward hitting Israel with any sanctions, which EU foreign-policy chief Josep Borrell said are still "far away" from being weighed Eastern slump | Damage from the coronavirus slammed into the EU's fastest-growing region in the first quarter, with more pain coming as the bloc's eastern members head for the worst recession since the fall of the Iron Curtain. While they averted record downturns suffered by big western peers, the shutdown of factories, shops and services hammered company profits and drove unemployment higher. Soccer Returns | Germany's Bundesliga becomes the world's first major sports competition to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown this weekend, and people in the industry are asking themselves: will it work? Here's what the return plan looks like, including players getting tested, mask-clad coaches and no fans.
Listen up | In this new episode of our Brussels Edition radio show we try to answer a question most Europeans are asking themselves: will they get a summer break? We spoke to virologist Marc van Ranst about the prospects for vacationing under covid - and he isn't too optimistic you'll be able to go very far. And here's what to expect if you do get to the airport. In Case You Missed It Trade Chaos | World Trade Organization Chief Roberto Azevedo said in an interview that his decision to step down from his role a year early is the best way to avoid more chaos at the alliance. His departure comes at a precarious time for the global economy with trade worldwide projected to recede to historic lows. Lufthansa on Drugs | "Lufthansa is going around hoovering up state aid like the drunken uncle at the end of a wedding," the combative Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary, told us. As a result, he's ramping up a legal battle with the European Commission and national governments for allowing bailouts for flag carriers, which he likens to "crack cocaine." Vaccine Talks | Sanofi CEO Paul Hudson's suggestion that the U.S. may get its coronavirus vaccine first sparked outrage in France, with President Emmanuel Macron indicating he plans to meet company officials next week. The comments highlight the conflicts facing multinational companies and governments in the race to develop a vaccine against Covid-19. Swedish Model | While the rest of the world has sheltered at home, Swedes have continued eating in restaurants, shopping and going to work, on the advice of the country's top epidemiologist. The next few weeks or months will tell whether his strategy is brilliant or — as many experts outside of Sweden believe — benighted. Chart of the Day  The coronavirus all but halted air travel as the pandemic moved westward from China. Now, the distortions to supply and demand are leaving their marks on airline ticket prices, fare data compiled by UBS Group AG show. Price changes compared with last year surpass 10% in many regions, with jets still grounded but airlines gradually starting to offer more seats. Today's Agenda All times CET. - 10 a.m. Video conference of ministers responsible for industry and the internal market
- 11 a.m. Eurostat to release flash estimate for 1Q GDP and employment in the EU and euro area, as well as international goods trading for March
- 1 p.m. EU Commission chief negotiator Michel Barnier press conference following this week's round of negotiations with UK
- 2 p.m. EU foreign ministers video conference
- 3 p.m. EU finance ministers video conference
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