Charlemagne Prize awarded to Ursula von der Leyen

Brussels 16.01.2025 International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen 2025 is awarded to Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission. Citation by the Board of Directors of the Society for the Conferring of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen to the President of the European Commission Dr. Ursula von der Leyen: “Europe will…

EU €148M package to Ukraine

Brussels 13.01.2025 As Russia’s war of aggression continues to devastate Ukraine, today the Commission announces €148 million in new humanitarian aid to support those affected by the war. With an estimated 12.7 million people in need of urgent assistance, this new funding is vital in providing life-saving support to those affected, ensuring that essential aid…

EU measures against Palestine Islamic Jihad

Brussels 13.01.2025 The Council today decided to extend by one year, until 20 January 2026, the existing restrictive measures against those who support, facilitate or enable violent actions by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). (Image above: illustration, Gaza) All individuals and entities previously identified as responsible for participating in the financing of Hamas…

Syria: Kallas travels to Riyadh

Brussels 11.01.2025 On 12 January, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP), Kaja Kallas, will travel to Riyadh. The Riyadh meeting follows-up on the Quint (9-10/01) and Aqaba meetings (14/12) on the ongoing developments in Syria after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The meeting will continue…

Rome: Quint meeting on Syria

Brussels 08.01.2025 The EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas, will travel to Rome, Italy, on 9-10 January, to participate in the Quint meeting on Syria. The Quint is an informal political decision-making group formed by the United States and the Big Four of Western Europe – France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. The meeting, hosted…

Flight J28243: NATO calls for investigation

Brussels 26.12.2024 The North Atlantic Alliance called for an investigation into plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, which caused death of 38 passengers and leaving 29 survivors. (Image above: illustration). “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and victims of Azerbaijan Airlines flight J28243” said today NATO spokeswoman Farah Dakhlallah, while expressing condolences to the…

Xmas: “May weapons be silenced”

Brussels 25.12.2024 “This year, uncertainties reigned over the world. Europe’s unity was put to the test, once again. Once again, we stood together. On Christmas Day, we can celebrate the strength of our Union.We will tackle the big tasks lying ahead with hope and confidence. Merry Christmas” wrote the European Commission president Ursula von der…

Finland: North-South Summit

Brussels 22.12.2024 The leaders from northern and southern Europe have arrived in Saariselkä, Lapland for the North-South Summit on European security and defence. The Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo hosted the event, attended by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Greek Prime Minister Kyriákos Mitsotákis and Swedish…

Brussels: Zelensky convenes EU leaders

Brussels 19.12.2024 Today the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he needed Europe and the United States to unite to secure peace, and stability, as he convened the EU leaders at their final Summit in 2025 before Donald Trump’s inauguration. Donald Trump returns to the White House in four weeks, having pledged to bring a swift…