Sakharov Prize: MEPs honour Iranian Jina Mahsa Amini

Strasbourg 12.12.2023 The European Parliament 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, in a ceremony on 12 December. The laureates were represented by Saleh Nikbakht, academic and acting lawyer of Jina Mahsa Amini’s family; and Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar,…

Ukraine: Borrell focuses on Russian assets

Brussels 11.12.2023 “At the Council, we focused – as every time, since two years – on the way to help Ukraine in winning its war of defence against Russia’s aggression” said the EU top diplomat Josep Borrell after the meeting of the Ministers of foreign affairs in Brussels. “This time, Minister [for Foreign Affairs of…

EU: Iran restrictive measures

Brussels 11.12.2023 The Council today imposed restrictive measures against 6 persons and 5 entities involved in Iran’s development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) used in Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. These are the first listings under the newly established framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran’s military support of Russia’s…

Iran: EU diplomat trial rises suspicion

Brussels 10.12.2023 The trial against Swedish national and EU employee Johan Floderus started on December 9, Saturday. Floderus, a 33-year-old Swedish citizen and EU diplomat, has been held captive in Iran Tehran’s Evin prison, for the past 18 months, prompting his family to draw attention to the severe conditions he faces. “As EU, we have…

EU: MEPs insist on AI rules

Brussels 10.12.2023 The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) reached a political agreement with the Council on a regulation to ensure AI in Europe is safe, respects fundamental rights and democracy, while businesses can thrive and expand. This means that under legal act defined by Article 288 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the…

EU: Hanukkah lights at Schuman square

Brussels 08.12.2023 Amid war on terrorism the IDF is conducting in Gaza, the European leaders demonstrate firmly their solidarity with the people of Israel, and the European Jews, not only by a political support, but also by respect of the Jewish millennia long beautiful tradition of lightening candles on Hanukkah festival. On Sunday, December 10,…

EUROPARL: BRICS at rising

Brussels 07.12.2023 Anna van Densky “The Rising Power of BRICS: Implications for the European Union” conference tооk place at the European Parliament, with the participation of seven MEPs, prominent diplomats, and experts. The Vocal Europe Team with the support of the European People’s Party (EPP) group conducted a policy debate discussing the issue of absence…

Borrell tribute to Kissinger

Brussels 30.11.2023 “I learnt with sadness of the passing of Henry Kissinger. He embodied the global standing of the United States of America on the world stage” reads the statement by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell on the decease of former United States Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. “As former Secretary of State, advisor,…

EU welcomes release of Israel hostages

Brussels 30.11.2023 “The EU welcomes the fact that, finally, the truce agreed between Israel and Hamas has started today. It should be fully implemented as a first step towards ending the ongoing horrific humanitarian situation in Gaza, and extended for a longer period” reads the statement by the EU High Representative Josep Borrell on the…

EU welcomes release of Israel hostages

Brussels 25.11.2023 “The EU welcomes the fact that, finally, the truce agreed between Israel and Hamas has started today. It should be fully implemented as a first step towards ending the ongoing horrific humanitarian situation in Gaza, and extended for a longer period” reads the statement by the EU top diplomat Josep Borrell on the…