Von der Leyen vows cooperation among EU institutions

Ursul von der Leyen, endorsed by the EU leaders for European Commission president had a meeting with the European People’s Party MEPs in camera at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on July 3. She also made a press statement, explaining that the cooperation among EU insitutuions will be her proportion in case her candidacy is…

Italian Socialist Sassoli new Europarl president

Italian MEP for a decade, former journalist David-Maria Sassoli has been elected as the new president of the European Parliament. #EPlenary #Sassoli Europarl new president:“We needed more democracy, more European parties”. pic.twitter.com/nH1vCnhx5t — Anna van Densky (@AnnaVanDensky) July 3, 2019 Mr Sassoli, (63) received the support of 345 out of a total of 667 MEPs…

Catalan MEPs banned from Europarl seats

EU Catalan electorate organised demonstration at doorstep of the European Parliament in Strasbourg on July 2 – the first day of the sitting of a new legislature. They have been protesting against ban of three of their elected MEPs to access their offices. Oriol Junqueras,  imprisoned in Spain, Charles Puigdemont and Antoni Comin, stay in…

Europarl delays president election

The European Parliament (EP) election of president is postponed due to EU leaders third day crisis Summit Brussels, which have failed to produce the list of the EU institutions top jobs nominees on Sunday (June 30). As the new European Parliament meets for the first time today, MEPs have formed seven political groups. Read on…

EU marathon talks to continue for third day

EU leaders suspended Sunday Summit after 20 hours marathon talks failing to produce an agreement on who should be appointed for the bloc’s top jobs, prompting criticism from French President Emmanuel Macron who said Europe’s indecisiveness was damaging its image abroad. (Image above: arrivals). The failure to reach consensus during 20 hours long night owl…

Trump crosses N.Korea border

President Trump has become the first sitting US President to step into North Korea. The historic event took place while meeting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the demilitarized zone (DMZ), and the two leaders are now holding a private bilateral meeting. “Stepping across that line was a great honor,” Trump said after becoming…

EU extends presence at Rafah crossing

The Council has extended the mandate of the EU co-ordinating office for Palestinian police support (EUPOL COPPS) and the mandate of the EU border assistance mission for the Rafah crossing point (EU BAM Rafah), until 30 June 2020. These missions are part of wider EU efforts in support of Palestinian state building in the context…

Varadkar: no follow up Brexit talks

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar reiterated that the European Union will not reopen the talks on Withdrawal agreement it has concluded with the UK, neither will it remove the Northern Ireland border “backstop” clause. (Image: archive). “Anything a (new) British prime minister has to say in relation to resolving the Brexit impasse will get a fair…

ISIS fighter repatriated to Italy

An Italian foreign fighter was repatriated on after being arrested in Syria, ANSA news agency reports. (Image above: illustration). Samir Bougana, (25) from Moroccan  origin, allegedly first fought with militias affiliated to Al Qaeda and then with ISIS. Italo-Moroccan foreign fighter Samir Bougana has been repatriated from Syria to Italy and placed under arrest by Italian…