EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

Michel early departure: blames for egoism

Brussels 09.01.2024 President of the European Council Charles Michel’s, 48,(pictured) announced his plans to run as a candidate for the European Parliament in the elections in May-June. This decision has evoked widespread criticism of the Euro-centrics pointing at his egoism and neglect of public interest. Over the weekend, after the Xmas holidays Michel surprised many…

EU: European media freedom act

Brussels 15.12.2023 Council and Parliament agreed on new rules to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU. The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on a new law to safeguard media freedom, media pluralism and editorial independence in the EU. The European media freedom act (EMFA) will…

EUCO: Ukraine rapprochement to EU

European Council conclusions on Ukraine, enlargement and reforms: UKRAINE The European Council reiterates its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirms the European Union’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right…

EP president Metsola ahead of EU Summit

Strasbourg 14.12.2023 Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, called on Europe to show leadership on enlargement, support to Ukraine and EU´s long-term budget at the European Council. Addressing the December European Council in Brussels, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola raised e.g. the following topics in her speech: “We find ourselves at the threshold of…

EUCO: Charles Michel invitation letter

Brussels 13.12.2023 The EU leaders convene in Brussels the end of this week on December 14-15 to discuss a broad agenda, including the EU foreign policy, enlargement, and the bloc’s long-term budget. “24 February 2022 marked a turning point in Europe’s history. Since the outbreak of war on our continent, we have taken a number…

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…