EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

EU: 14th package of anti-Russia sanctions

Brussels 20.06.2024 Today the European Union agreed to endorse a new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting for the first time supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which several member states continue to purchase despite the war in Ukraine. The new set of sanctions represent the 14th package enforced since February 2022 and appear just…

Hungary heading to EU presidency

19.06.2024 In spite of a number of the European politicians and even parties insisting to strip Hungary of its chairmanship in the EU for an ongoing argument between the Viktor Orban government, and the European Commission, in a few days from July 1 Hungary will start its half-a-year mandate. The Hungarian civil servants refuse any…

EU top jobs: “white smoke” anticipation

Brussels 17.06.2024 Following the European Parliament elections, today the EU leaders will discuss the next institutional cycle. The informal meeting will be the first leaders assembly since the European Parliament election, with ascendence for the centre-right and right-wing parties, but unfortunate for French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The leaders will coordinate…

EU Crimea sanctions extended for one year

Brussels 17.06.2024 Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol: EU extends sanctions for further year: The Council today decided to renew the sanctions introduced by the EU in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol by the Russian Federation, until 23 June 2025. The restrictive measures currently…

G7: migration conversation new turn

Brindisi, Italy 15.06.2024 “The conversation has changed” around migration laws in Europe as Rishi Sunak and his fellow G7 leaders launched a coalition to defeat the smuggling of migrants to Europe. In a communique released while concluding of the two-day summit in Puglia, the leaders of the UK, US, Germany, Italy, France, Canada and Japan…

G7: Meloni enjoys her spectacular ascendance

Brindisi, Italy 13.06.2024 Welcoming the Group of Seven leaders in a luxurious Puglia resort of Borgo Egnazia, in Fasano, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visibly enjoyed her role of a generous, and warmhearted hostess. As she offers hospitality for the three-day G7 Summit, Meloni has every reason to enjoy the event, unlike her guests, whose prospects…

G7: Russian assets to fund Ukraine

Brindisi, Italy 13.06.2024 The assembly of Seven leaders have reached an informal agreement to loan money to Ukraine backed by the profits from frozen Russian assets, the U.S . unnamed official confirmed to CNN channel. “There was shared recognition here in Puglia by every G7 member that the situation on the battlefield remains difficult, and…

European Parliament elections provisional result 10 June

Brussels 10.06.2024 CONCLUSIONS: French President Emmanuel Macron has dissolved the French Parliament and called snap elections in the wake of tonight’s European election results Exit polls show Marine Le Pen’s National Rally are set to trounce Macron’s party in a historic win for the party The French parliamentary elections will be held on 30 June…

EU elections: provisional results

Brussels 10.06.2024 The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) has won 191 seats, confirming its role as the largest bloc in the European Parliament. The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) bloc was always projected to come in second – and it has, winning 135 seats. Liberal Renew lost 22 seats, and surfaced with 83, and the Greens…

Projection: European Parliament 2024 – 2029

Brussels 09.06.2024 European Parliament 2024 – 2029 first projection. The EU’s 27 electorates are very different, so it’s not always evident to draw any conclusion on turnout figures and what they mean. But already we’re getting some indicating figures from several countries, and it just shows how varied they are. In France, turnout by 17:00…