Photo by Travel With on Unsplash The end of each year serves as a poignant reminder of the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991. Over the past three decades, many post-Soviet countries have shed their Soviet legacies to emerge as modern and progressive states. A case in point is Kazakhstan, Central Asia’s largest nation. As the country prepares to…
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash The Commission has published the Special Eurobarometer on digitalisation of travel documents and facilitation of travel. The report explores EU citizens’ views and perceptions of travel policies, as well as the introduction and possible use of digital travel credentials. According to the survey, 68% of Europeans consider that digitalisation of travel documents is…
Photo by Carl Tronders on Unsplash MEPs have approved new rules to protect EU workers from the health risks related to asbestos and to improve the early detection of asbestos. On Tuesday, plenary adopted with 614 votes in favour, 2 against and 4 abstentions a directive, that will decrease the occupational exposure limit of asbestos and calls for…
Photo by Laurentiu Morariu on Unsplash The landmark Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) has now been signed by almost half of all countries. This comes after a ceremony at the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly in New York where Sri Lanka acceded to the treaty and the Bahamas signed it. This means 97 states…
Photo by Brian Wangenheim on Unsplash Members of the European Parliament have voted on the new European Media Freedom Act. This is aimed at protecting the independence of journalists and the plurality of media across Europe. The move won wide political support in a plenary vote in Strasbourg. The Greens/EFA Group is among those who have fought for EU-level…
Photo by Sasha Pleshco on Unsplash MEPs want the EU to push for accession talks with Moldova. In a parliamentary resolution, MEPs have voted to reaffirm their commitment to Moldova’s future EU membership and want accession talks with Chişinău to launch before the end of the year. The Moldovan government has, MEPs say, “demonstrated its determination and ability”…
The pleasant Belgian commune of Linkebeek was once home to countless cafes and coaching inns. That was at the start of the 20th century and, nowadays, few of these are left. Happily, one does remain and is proving as big a hit as ever. It is called La Laiterie and a potted history of both…
Photo by Danielle Rice on Unsplash A former Europe Minister in the UK has cast doubt on the new European Political Community (EPC). Denis MacShane is a widely respected political observer and served under Tony Blair’s premiership. The Labour veteran politician is partly dismissive of the EPC, the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron. It is, says MacShane,“basically…
October 2023 marks the 112th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and to celebrate Taiwan’s National Day it was my privilege to interview Taiwan’s new Head of Mission in Brussels, Mr Alexander Tah-ray Yui. Prior to his posting to Belgium, he was Taiwan’s Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. Q) 2024 will be…
Photo by Yaopey Yong on Unsplash The Old Testament of the Christian Bible derives from the 24 books of the Hebrew Tanakh, transcribed by Jewish scholars around two thousand years ago. In Exodus were the words: “I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to…
