EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

Ukraine National Bank independence in jeopardy

“Establishing a strong and independent National Bank has been a fundamental achievement for Ukraine, and remains crucial to the country’s future success. Over the past years, the National Bank of Ukraine has taken bold and much needed steps to ensure Ukraine’s macro-financial stability and facilitate a sustainable economic recovery. The Bank’s policies have served the…

Albania endemic animal cruelty

Albania restaurants are offering diners meat from illegally hunted bears – part of an illicit trade in wildlife that is “out of control” in the country, investigators claim. Researchers said it was the first time they had seen bear meat cooked in Europe, and experts warned that the crude butchering of animals may lead to…

Socialist MEPs block Resolution on Turkey

The European Peopole’s Party (EPP) has issued a statement following the Left Groups S&D and GUE block of the Resolution from European Parliament as tensions continue to increase between the European Unions and Turkey. On the initiative of the EPP Group, the European Parliament will debate the continued and repeated aggression of Turkey against Greece…

Skopje suffers pollution

Capital city of North Macedionia – Skopje – regularly registered the most polluted cities in Europe, and sometimes in the world. The #London Watch: The most polluted #city in the #worldhttps://t.co/t88tCpcfDM #Skopje pic.twitter.com/55OhLo5GLQ — The London Watch Digest (@london_digest) July 2, 2020 In 2018, levels of PM10 – tiny pollutant particles 10 nanometres in size…

Amsterdam Red Light district reopens

Amsterdam’s Red Light district has reopened after coronavirus pandemic shutdown, with sex professionals and clients having to observe new sanitary rules to prevent contamination. Sex workers in Amsterdam's Red Light district will be required to wear gloves and masks https://t.co/2baNI8LN2U — Evening Standard (@standardnews) July 1, 2020 The Netherlands ordered all brothels closed in mid-March…

Japan city bans smartphones use in motion

Yamato City is prohibiting pedestrians from using smartphones while preambulaing the vicinity public roads, squares and parks, according to a July 1 report from NDTV. It’s first publically announced ban of its kind to be imposed in Japan. There’s no punishment foreseen in case pedasrians don’t abide by the prohibition. The ban’s supporter so all…

Europarl has no comment on Russian referendum

Statement by Members of the European Parliament David McAllister and Tomas Tobé on the constitutional referendum in Russia. The European Parliament does not observe the constitutional referendum in Russia. https://t.co/tnuu2uKVnI — Jaume Duch (@jduch) July 1, 2020 “A constitutional referendum took place in Russia from 25 June to 1 July. The Central Election Commission said…

Turkey neo-Sultan «Sword-law»

Costas MAVRIDES OPINION In modern neo-Ottoman Turkey, there is a hysteria for new conquests, while disrespecting of international law and fundamental ethics. On a daily basis, actions and statements of Turkish officials (from Erdogan and his ministers) are made with complete contempt for International and EU Law, while different voices are silenced or persecuted. Absolutely…

Hong Kong: EU expresses «grave concerns»

“The Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress adopted the National Security Law in Hong Kong on 30 June and subsequently promulgated it in Hong Kong the same day. The European Union reiterates its grave concerns about this law which was adopted without any meaningful prior consultation of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council and civil society….

President Maduro expels EU Ambassador

President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the European Union’s Ambassador H.E. Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa (pictured) to leave Venezuela within 72 hours. Ante las acciones intervencionistas, racistas y supremacistas de la Unión Europea que agreden con sanciones a venezolanos, decidí darle 72 horas a su embajadora para que abandone el país. A Venezuela deben respetarla en su…