BRUSSELS – today Serbia opened two new chapters in its EU accession talks – Chapters 20 (enterprise and industrial policy) and 26 (education and culture) – at an EU-Serbia Intergovernmental Conference (IGC). This was the fifth EU-Serbia IGC – Serbia has to date opened eight, and temporarily closed two, out of the total 35 negotiation…
Category: International
EU committed to Human Rights
On 27 February 2017, the Council adopted conclusions on EU priorities at United Nations human rights fora in 2017. The conclusions reaffirm the EU’s strong commitment to the United Nations human rights system. The EU will remain actively engaged at the UN Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the General Assembly to defend…
EU Council prolongs arms embargo for Belarus
On 27 February 2017, the Council decided to prolong the restrictive measures against Belarus for one year, until 28 February 2018. These measures include an arms embargo and an asset freeze and a travel ban against four people listed in connection with the unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians, one businessman and one journalist in…
EU Council adopts visa-free for Georgia
“I am very pleased with today’s final endorsement by the Council of the Commission’s proposal to grant visa liberalisation to Georgia. – said Commissioner Avramopoulos is in Tbilisi, Georgia, to welcome the adoption by the Council of the Commission proposal for visa liberalisation for Georgia. “Today is a historic day for Georgia and its citizens,…
EU adopts new measures against North Korea
On 27 February 2017, the Council adopted legal acts imposing further restrictive measures against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). These legal acts transpose the additional restrictive measures imposed by United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 2321 adopted on 30 November 2016. The measures include restrictions on transactions in coal, iron and iron…
UN Human Rights Council future in doubt
The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold its thirty-fourth regular session from 27 February to 24 March 2017 in the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will address the opening session, along with United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid…
EU-US divergence over Israel
The EU and US policy towards Israeli-Palestinian peace process close come into a collision. While the Members of the European Parliament (MEP) call the EU and its member states to recognise Palestinian statehood, the US administration reportedly considers abandoning the UN Human Rights Council in disagreement over its policy towards Israel. Led by delegation chair…
Libya lost UN vote right
For the second year in a row, Libya has lost its right to vote at the UN after again failing to pay its annual fee. It now has to pay a minimum of $6.5 million to cover its outstanding debts if it is to regain the right to vote. It is the largest amount any…
EU on clashes in Tripoli
Once again, violent clashes have erupted in Tripoli, while indiscriminate violence against citizens continues to affect a number of areas across Libya. (PHOTO: illustration) “Violence will not resolve any of Libya’s political challenges. What is expected by all parties is that they refrain from unilateral acts of violence and ensure the protection of the Libyan,…
Abkhazia crossings closed
¨PHOTO: Illustration “The announced closure of two crossing points along the Administrative Boundary Line of Georgia’s breakaway region of Abkhazia – Nabakevi-Khurcha and Meore Otobaia-Orsantia- which are used daily by hundreds of commuters, will be detrimental to the freedom of movement of the population, including school children, on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Line. It will likely increase…
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