EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

Puigdemont attends Strasbourg Plenary

In spite of the arrest warrant issued in Madrid, on January 13 Catalan independence leader Carles Puigdemont attended Plenary session in Strasbourg in his right of a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), due to immunity guaranteed by the status. The former Catalan president has been elected to the European Parliament upon the political programme…

Iran: UK Ambassador arrest

EU top diplomat Josep Borrell expressed his serious concerns by arrest of the British Ambassador to Tehran H.E.Rob Macaire. Very concerned about the temporary detention of the UK Ambassador @HMATehran in Iran. Full respect of the Vienna convention is a must. The EU calls for deescalation and space for diplomacy. — Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF)…

Two Kazakhs risk extradition to China

Kazakhstan should not forcibly return two Chinese citizens fleeing Xinjiang or prosecute them for illegal border crossing while their asylum claims are pending, according to Human Rights Watch. Why is Kazakhstan threatening to return two asylum seekers to Xinjiang, where they would face prison and torture? @HRW https://t.co/UmPPZDzlha — Hugh Williamson (@HughAWilliamson) January 9, 2020…

Swiss referendum on EU migrants

More than 325,000 cross-border workers from Germany, Italy, and France and travel to Switzerland each day to work. However, convinced that foreigners take jobs away from the Swiss, the People’s Party (SVP) party intends to step out from the free-movement accord, which guarantees the rights of EU and EFTA (Norway and Iceland) nationals to enter…

Russia arms exports at rise

Long-term commissions of Russian armements by other states amount to $55 bln, whereas annual exports of local arms and military equipment stand at $14-15 bln, Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said, TASS news agency reports. Russia’s arms exports total $14-15 bln per year, says Deputy PM Borisov:https://t.co/dU21oIBN6h pic.twitter.com/o06tvqKmY4 — TASS (@tassagency_en) January 11, 2020 “We…

Part-time Royals challenge

Announcement of Meghan and Harry to become “part-time” Royals rocks British public opinion. Apparently just merry for love has not turned out to be an ultimate formula for happens for newly baked aristocrates in XXI century. Prince Harry and Meghan: Talks 'progressing well' over couple's future https://t.co/mv4f2kN6TE — BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) January 11, 2020…

PS752: EU expects transparent investigation

*The European Union acknowledges the statements made by the Iranian authorities taking responsibility for the crash of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS 752 on 8 January* reads the statement of the spokesperson of the European External Action Service. EU acknowledges Iran's statements on taking responsibility 4 ⁦#ukraineplanecrash We expect continued full cooperation & comprehensive,transparent investigation…

New Oman Sultan promotes peace

Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Middle-East’s longest-serving monarch, has died at the age of 79 after long illness. His death was announced by the state Oman News Agency via its official Twitter account. The royal court in the country declared three days of mourning. #SultanQaboos bin Said Al Said of #Oman, the Arab world's…

New US Ambassador arrives to Moscow

The newly appointed US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, who is arriving in Moscow on January 16, looks forward to enhancing the relationship between the two countries and strengthening cooperation between Moscow and Washington, US Embassy in Russia said in a statement. “Ambassador Sullivan plans to arrive in Moscow on January 16 and present his…

Sassoli cancels Catalan MEP mandate

The European Parliament announced that jailed Catalan politician Oriol Junqueras is no longer Member, ending the protracted argument led by his supporters on his right for immunity, The move has deprived his electorate of hope he could be freed from prison cell due to his MEP status. 🎥 | 10-Jan-20: 'EU parliament no longer considers…