Russia Blackmails Europe by Cutting Off Gas

Having declared force majeure on gas supplies, Russia turned to open blackmail of Europe, seeking to turn the energy crisis into a powerful weapon of influence on Western governments. The traditionally loyal, almost “friendly” to Russia Berlin fell under the main blow. The indicative effect of such an impact on Europe’s key economy and “almost friends and partners” should be the…

UN spotlight to be on Benin over imprisonment of political opponents

UN Universal Periodic Review

Due to the continued imprisonment of two prominent opposition leaders, the Brussels-based organisation Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF) has filed a report with the United Nations ‘Universal Periodic Review’ (UPR) for Benin, voicing concerns about human rights abuses in the country.  The report focuses on the situation of two opposition figures Reckya Madougou and Joël…

EU and Azerbaijan enhance bilateral relations, including energy cooperation

Yesterday in Baku, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson met with President Ilham Aliyev and Azeri Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov to strengthen the existing cooperation between the EU and Azerbaijan. The two Presidents signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy. Currently, the EU and Azerbaijan are…