German MEP Knut Fleckenstein firmly believes the EU new strategy towards the Western Balkans will work and deliver for both the EU27 bloc and the countries of the region, without compromising criteria, but completing the reform package with a faisible pace. Although admitting the existing problems with the rule of law and fundamental rights, corruption…
Category: Politics
Enlargement towards Western Balkans on EU cards
The Commission adopted today a strategy for ‘A credible enlargement perspective for and enhanced EU enlargement with the Western Balkans”, as President Jean-Claude Juncker announced in his 2017 State of the Union address confirming the European future of the region as a geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values. We unveil our…
Celebration of Elysee Treaty
Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Emmanuel Macron released a video celebrating the 55th anniversary of Elysee Treaty, confirming their intention to deepen Franco-German cooperation and give the European Union a fresh start towards closer integration. The two leaders of France and Germany issued a joint statement on social networks on 21 January to mark the…
Scottish independence vote depends on Brexit deal
Scottish First minister Nicola Sturgeon claims she would be able to make a judgment on whether to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence by the end of this year after the Brexit agreement between the UK and the European Union is concluded. Staying in the single market & the customs union would be "least…
Johnson: nuclear deal is an accomplishment
UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has entered polemics with the US requesting to propose a better alternative to the deal with Iran that curbs its nuclear programme. The Iran nuclear deal makes the world safer. European partners were unanimous today in our determination to preserve the deal and tackle Iran’s disruptive behaviour. pic.twitter.com/dw8zwUXwS5 — Boris…
Mogherini: EU-Cuba “closer than ever”
European Union head of External Action Service (EEAS), or de facto minister of Foreign Affairs of the EU, an Italian Socialist Federica Mogherini, visited Cuba, led by Communists. "I know very well that right now some are trying to isolate Cuba. We Europeans, want to show, on the contrary, that we are closer to you than ever"…
EU "doubts" political pluralism in Russia
The EU diplomats reacted on a decision of of the Russian Central Election Commission to bar Alexei Navalny from running in the 2018 Presidential election with the statement, expressing doubts in a respect of democratic norms in upcoming presidential elections in Russia. Decision of the Russian Central Election Commission to bar Alexei Navalny from running in…
Annemans: Catalan state building strategy missing
Gerolf ANNEMANS, OPINION The establishment of an independent republic is not impossible. It has often happened in the last century, provided that a number of conditions are met it is a process that can be successfully crowned. However, it should not be underestimated in the current context of the European Union and it must be…
Supporters of Catalan Republic win majority in Chamber
The pro-independence parties won an absolute majority, while liberal Ciudadanos party led by Inés Arrimadas won the regional elections in Catalonia in number of seats, according to polls conducted at the exit of polling stations by the newspaper La Vanguardia. Puigdemont retakes the lead, grabs a seat off the PP, which falls back to just…
Catalans cast votes in snap elections
Catalonia is heading to the polls in a snap election to decide its future. The Catalan elected government, headed by President Carles Puigdemont, who declared independence from Spain on October 27 is partially in exile in Belgium, partially still in prison. However in spite of the Madrid repressions the leadership of self-proclaimed Catalan Republic agreed…
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