EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

Brussels: glimpse into Hamas hostage experience

Brussels 07.03.2024 Today the Members of the European Parliament, and general public would have an opportunity of an experience of an Israeli hostage conditions in Hamas captivity in a tunnel replicated in a container. The experience lasts just a few minutes, but it produces a shocking and traumatic effect on those who entered the six-by-two…

Ursula von der Leyen EPP party candidate for second mandate

Brussels 07.02.2024 Today the European People’s Party concluded its XXVIII Congress in Bucharest, co-hosted by Partidul Naţional Liberal (PNL), EPP President Manfred WEBER and EPP Secretary General Thanasis BAKOLAS. The second day featured addresses by the Heads of State or Government, EPP Deputy Prime Ministers and EPP Opposition leaders as well as the nominee for…

EU: Commisser Lenarčič responds with €81 aid to Gaza

Brussels 07.03.2024 The Commission has contracted €81 million out of the overall humanitarian aid allocation of €125 million and is working on its disbursement to humanitarian partner organisations. The EU has to date organised 41 air bridge flights to deliver over 1800 tonnes of aid to Palestinians via Egypt and is exploring further means of…

EU exchanges views with Chinese envoy

Brussels 05.04.2024 The European External Action Service (EEAS) Managing Directors for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Michael Siebert, and for Asia and the Pacific, Niclas Kvarnström, met the Special Envoy of the Chinese Government for Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui, in Brussels on 4 March, Monday. Li Hui serves as the Chinese Special Representative for Eurasian…

MEPs vote for intensive support of Ukraine

Strasbourg 29.02.2024 Today the European Parliament voted for a resolution in support of Ukraine, offering it “whatever is needed” for Kyiv to win its war against Russia, the MEPs said. The text, passed by 451 votes in favour, 46 against with 49 abstentions. The MEPs contemplated on the two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of…

MEPs strive for EU as “independent geopolitical player”

The EU must act decisively to define and defend its interests in the world, the MEPs conclude after a comprehensive debate. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has sparked a chain of shocks in the global economy and added pressure on countries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership, the European Parliament warns…

Navalny widow addresses MEPs

Strasbourg 28.02.2024 Today the widow of the assassinated Russian anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, Yulia, addressed the European Parliament. On the occasion the president of the Europarliament Roberta Metsola said “…For many in Russia and outside, Alexei Navalny represented hope. Hope for better days. Hope for a free Russia. Hope for the future.” Further the president…

Russia: EU appalled by Orlov sentence

Strasbourg 27.02.2024 “The European Union is appalled by the sentencing of Oleg Orlov, a prominent human rights defender and co-chair of renowned human rights organisation “Memorial”, to two and a half years in prison on politically motivated charges” the press release reads. “Orlov had committed no crime or offence, he has exercised his Constitutional right…

Commission welcomes XIII Russia sanctions package

Brussels 23.02.2024 “The Commission welcomes the Council’s (pictured) adoption of a 13th package of sanctions against Russia. Two years since Russia brutally invaded Ukraine, EU’s support for Ukraine and its people remains as strong as ever, – the European Commission press-release reads. Europe is united and determined to continue defending its values and founding principles….

EU: Russian Chargé d’affaires summoned

Brussels 20.02.2024 The EEAS Managing Director for Eastern Europe, Russia, Central Asia, regional cooperation and OSCE, Michael Siebert, summoned the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union, Kirill Logvinov, in Brussels. (Image above: Russia countryside). The EU side conveyed EU’s outrage over the death of the Russian opposition…