EU-Switzerland talks in stalemate

Brussels 25.04.2021 Talks on future ties between Switzerland and the European Union have once again hit a dead end in April, with Swiss President Guy Parmelin saying that “substantial differences” remain between the two parties, after talks with the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. (Image above: Bern, Switzerland). Regard depuis les coulisses sur…

EU deplores Czech diplomats expel

Brussels 19.04.2021 “The European Union stands in full support and solidarity with the Czech Republic and deplores Russia’s response to expel 20 Czech diplomats. Russia’s decision follows the announcement by the Czech Republic on 17 April to expel 18 Russian embassy staff, based on reasonable suspicion about the involvement of Russian military intelligence service (GRU)…

Russia expels 5 Polish diplomats

Brussels 16.04.2021 Russia will expel five Polish diplomats in response to Warsaw’s actions, the Russian Foreign Ministry (MFA) said in a statement published on Friday, April 16.(Image above: Moscow city). Russia will expel five Polish diplomats in response to Warsaw’s actions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement:https://t.co/4i0J5fzIKc pic.twitter.com/9OWns5oNYs — TASS (@tassagency_en) April 16,…

Russia retaliates U.S.measures

Brusssels 16.04.2021 Moscow will shortly publish a list of eight senior US officials and public figures that will be permanently banned from entering Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement published on Friday, April 16. (Image above: Moscow City). 🔴#LIVE: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of #Serbia Nikola…

Vienna: Borrell chairs JCPOA

Brussels 08.04.2021 The Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Iran nuclear deal, will resume its work in a physical format on 9 April at 10.00 CET in Vienna. Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action: Joint Commission resumes tomorrow, 9 April#JCPOAhttps://t.co/93B3EtZgmZ — European External Action Service – EEAS 🇪🇺 (@eu_eeas) April 8,…

EU-USA: Blinken visits Brussels

Brussels 24.03.2021 The EU top diplomat Josep Borrell and the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have issued a joint press-release: EU-U.S. joint readout “Joint press release on the meeting between High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Watch @SecBlinken’s speech on “Reaffirming and Reimagining America’s Alliances” in its entirety…

EU condemns Belarus repressions

The EU strongly condemns the repression carried out by the Belarusian authorities since the falsified elections of August 2020. The unacceptable harassment of human rights defenders, media workers, trade union representatives, and defence lawyers has escalated in recent days. A court in Belarus has sentenced two journalists to two years in prison after they filmed…

EU new Agenda for Mediterranean

Brussels 09.02.2021 To relaunch and strengthen the strategic partnership between the European Union and its Southern Neighbourhood partners, the European Commission and the High Representative today adopted a joint communication proposing an ambitious and innovative new Agenda for the Mediterranean. Southern Neighbourhood: HR/VP @JosepBorrellF & @eu_near today adopted a joint communication proposing an ambitious and…

Russia: Borrell condemns expulsion of diplomats

“During my meeting earlier today with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, I learned that three European diplomats are going to be expelled from Russia. I strongly condemned this decision and rejected the allegations that they conducted activities incompatible with their status as foreign diplomats. The decision should be reconsidered. I stressed the European Union’s…

EU Media envoy to Middle east

Brussels 26.01.2021 The EU’s first Arabic speaking regional media officer for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) takes office today. Luis Miguel Bueno, an Arabic speaking European diplomat, will be based in Beirut, Lebanon. His role will be to communicate EU priorities, policies, positions and projects, which are of interest to the MENA region,…