EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

Navalny poisoning suspicion grows

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, 44, was in a coma in a Siberian hospital on August 20 after drinking a cup of tea that his spokeswoman said she believed was laced with poison. According to his team he is still in intenstive care ward now. Navalny was in intensive care and on an artificial lung…

Norway expels Russian diplomat

Norway’s Foreign Ministry has expelled a Russian diplomat on accusations of spying for Russia, officials said. (Image above: illustration, Oslo) “We have today informed the Russian ambassador that one of his employees is unwanted in Norway and has been asked to leave the country. This is because the person in question has performed actions that…

EU calls extraordinary Summit on Belarus crisis

The president of the European Union Council Charles Michel invites the heads of states and governments of the EU member-states to an extraordinary meeting on August 19 to discuss the recent political developments in the Republic of Belarus. I will call a meeting of the members of the European Council this Wednesday 12h00 to discuss…

Borrell invites Ankara for broad dialogue

“Today’s announcement by Turkey of renewed drilling activities by the Yavuz vessel in a maritime zone which has been delineated by Cyprus and Egypt regrettably fuels further tensions and insecurity in the Eastern Mediterranean” reads the statement issued on Sunday August 16 by the EU top diplomat Josep Borrell on renewed drilling activities by Turkey…

Transparency: Lukashenko betrays people

“Transparency International is horrified by the violent attacks, arbitrary arrests and brutal repression unleashed by the Government of Alexander Lukashenko against peaceful protesters in Belarus. We stand in solidarity with the people of Belarus who have shown incredible courage through their peaceful resistance to the country’s authoritarian regime since Sunday’s unfair election” reads the statement…

Belarus: EU to impose additional sanctions

The European Union top diplomat Josep Borrell announced via his Twitter micro blog that the bloc does not accept the announced results of the elections in Belarus as falsified. Concluded good and constructive #FAC. Eastern Med: Full solidarity w/ Greece&Cyprus; calling Turkey for immediate deescalation and reengaging in dialogue. Belarus: EU doesn't accept election results….

EU for dialogue in East Mediterranean

On August 14 via a teleconference the EU Ministers of Foreign affaris discussed the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, following a grave deterioration of the security situation in recent days. Read the main outcomes of today’s Foreign Affairs Council. Good discussions on Eastern Mediterranean & Belarus with concrete outcomes. Took stock of situations in Lebanon,…

EU: Belarus elections «falsified»

The EU Foreign Ministers addressed the Belarusian Presidential elections that took place on 9 August. Concluded good and constructive #FAC. Eastern Med: Full solidarity w/ Greece&Cyprus; calling Turkey for immediate deescalation and reengaging in dialogue. Belarus: EU doesn't accept election results. Work begins on sanctioning those responsible for violence & falsification. — Josep Borrell Fontelles…

Belarus: Leyen calls for «additional sanctions»

«We need additional sanctions against those who violated democratic values or abused human rights in Belarus» wrote the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on her Twitter micro blog. «I am confident today’s EU Foreign Ministers’ discussion will demonstrate our strong support for the rights of the people in Belarus to fundamental…

Cambodia loses duty-free access to EU

As of today, 12 August, some of Cambodia’s typical export products such as garments, footwear and travel goods are subject to the European Union’s customs duties. The EU’s decision to partially withdraw Cambodia’s duty-free quota-free access to the EU market is now effective. The preferential treatment enjoyed by Cambodia under “Everything But Arms” (EBA) –…