Brussels 18.03.2024 Today the President Ursula von der Leyen and President of the Swiss Confederation Viola Amherd launched the negotiations on a broad package of measures to deepen and expand the EU-Switzerland relationship. This follows the adoption of the Swiss and EU negotiating mandates on 8 and 12 March 2024, respectively. The two mandates authorise…
Tag: EU
Publishers express reserve towards EMFA
Strasbourg 13.03.2024 European press publishers acknowledge today’s vote and caution against future media regulation as adopted European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) sets a precedent: “The European press publishers’ associations EMMA and ENPA take note of the adoption of the finalised European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) today in the European Parliament Plenary. “While we appreciate the…
MEPs endorse Media Freedom Act
Strasbourg 13.03.2024 MEPs endorsed their final green light to new legislation protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference as they claims. Under the new law, European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) was adopted by 464 votes in favour to 92 against and 65 abstentions, member states will be obliged to protect media independence…
EU 8 March – International Women’s Day
Brussels 08.03.2024 To mark International Women’s Day, the European Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President make the following statement: “Today, the percentage of women in politics is still far from being representative of our diverse societies. The overall proportion of female members in single or lower houses of parliament currently stands on average at 33% in…
China grants visa-free to six European countries
Brussels 08.03.2024 China has decided to expand the scope of visa-free countries and implement a pilot visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from six countries: Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. This ‘trial period’ starts on March 14 and ends on November 30, 2024. Ordinary passport holders can enter China without a visa if…
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…
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