EUROPE DIPLOMATIC

G7: calls Russia to de-escalate

Brussels 12.12.2021 “We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, are united in our condemnation of Russia’s military build-up and aggressive rhetoric towards Ukraine”. Discussed with @SecBlinken the importance of our coordinated action in view…

Champagne sales record year

Brussels 11.12.2021 The outlook for the key Christmas and New Year festive season, however, is clouded by uncertainty over the recently detected Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but Champagne sales are expected to mark a record year as shops and restaurants replenish stocks after months of virus-related restrictions and as retail demand surges, an industry…

Europe: Omicron hits travel

Brussels, 11.12.2021 TUI (TUIFF) says a surge in Covid-19 infections and the Omicron variant is taking its toll on winter holiday bookings. Travel #news: Long-term trend is intact: People want to travel says TUI https://t.co/TeHxkWJSbw#travel #news #vacation #trips #cruise #cruises #holiday #hotels #resorts #airport #flights #outdoor #travelnews #traveltip — Blogosum (@blogosum) December 11, 2021 Europe’s…

G7: Borrell supports Ukraine

Brussels 11.12.2021 “Today at this gathering of the big democratic countries, I’m representing the European Union as a whole. The big issue has been the situation at the eastern border of Europe, in Ukraine, where Russia is massing troops. This represents a threat. In the meeting today, all of us have been united in standing…

Epilogue: human rights 1948-2021

Brussels 11.12.2021 Brussels 11.12.2021 On 10 December, every year, we mark the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. This year’s theme “Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights” is particularly important as the pandemic and its socio-economic consequences have a growing negative impact on human rights, democracy and the rule of law, including…

European Parliament December agenda

Brussels 11.12.2021 The European Parliament will award the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, discuss the pandemic situation and gender equality in the EU in December plenary in Strasbourg. On Wednesday, December 15, the Parliament will award the 2021 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the imprisoned Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexei…

Wikileaks Assange closer to extradition

Brussels 10.12.2021 WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange appeared to be a step closer to facing criminal charges in the United States for one of the major leaks of classified information after Washington won an appeal over his extradition in an English court. BREAKING: High Court decision “Grave miscarriage of justice,” says Julian Assange’s fiancée, as a…

China: EU committed to support Lithuania

Brussels 08.12.2021 “The EU has been informed that Lithuanian shipments are not being cleared through the Chinese customs and that import applications from Lithuania are being rejected. We are in close contact with the Lithuanian government and are gathering information via the EU Delegation in Beijing in a timely manner” reads the Joint Statement by…

MEPs urge to abandon live animal transport

Brussels 06.12.2021 After 18 months of fact-finding, Parliament’s committee of inquiry into the protection of animals during transport adopted its conclusions and recommendations. 🆕Animal welfare: @EP_AnimalTran MEPs urge a shift from live to meat-and-carcass transport. Next ➡️ vote in January 2022 #EPlenaryPress release ⤵️https://t.co/8ChZvvyTCE — ANIT Committee Press (@EP_AnimalTran) December 2, 2021 Parliament‘s inquiry into…

Venice Floating Nativity

Brussels 06.12.2021 Venice has been attracting people for hundreds of years, and with a natural setting as its lagoon, where even a floating nativity scene has become an open-air artwork. A Burano, la creche sur l’eau de Francesco Orazio, marchand de légumes et artiste de Ca' Savio, est de retour ✨ pic.twitter.com/G7ds4CaJBt — Guillain Méjane…