Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash MEPs say the EU is now Ukraine’s primary strategic ally and must help the country uphold its right to self-defence. They have also welcomed the proposal for a 30 day ceasefire, reached on 11 March. They say they expect Russia to agree to it and follow it by ceasing…
Author: Our Staff Correspondent
All Out Trade War Between EU and USA
Photo by Yoav Aziz on Unsplash The EU Commission says it regrets the US decision to impose tariffs against European companies. The EC has branded the move as unjustified, disruptive to transatlantic trade and harmful to businesses and consumers, often resulting in higher prices. The Commission says its response is carefully calibrated and based on…
End the EU’s Patchwork of Animal Welfare Laws
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash A new report reveals that animal welfare issues are treated very differently by each of the EU’s 27 Member States. The authors, Eurogroup for Animals, say it shows that the EU must update and modernise the animal welfare legislation as soon as possible. This, it says, it needed to…
Commission Tables Omnibus Law Package
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash Some MEPs say the EU’s new Omnibus business simplification initiative is a crucial step and will push for its success with full force. This follows the European Commission tabling its first so-called Omnibus law package. The scheme aims to simplify obligations such as due diligence and sustainability reporting at …
New Sanctions Against Russia
Photo by FlyD on Unsplash EU member states have adopted a wide-ranging new package of economic and individual restrictive measures against Russia. This comes with this week’s significant milestone in the war in Ukraine – the third anniversary since the conflict started. It also coincides with fresh attempts,including a meeting in the U.S on Friday…
Attack on Human Rights in Romania
The Roma Foundation for Europe, a leading European advocate for Roma rights, say that it strongly condemns recent attacks said to target civil rights activists in Romania. It is alleged these include Ciprian Necula, Chair of the Roma Education Fund (REF) and a respected advocate for civil rights and education. The claims come as Romania heads towards…
EP Pledges Support for Georgian Dissidents
Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash MEPs have called on the international community to join the boycott of Georgia’s self-proclaimed authorities. Meeting in Strasbourg on Thursday they accused the Georgian authorities of eroding the country’s democracy and cracking down on dissent. In a resolution adopted at its plenary, Parliament refused to recognise the self-proclaimed authorities…
MEPs React Swiftly to Commission Work Agenda
The European Commission has presented its Work Programme for 2025 to MEPs meeting in Strasbourg. The plan puts an emphasis on competitiveness, simplification and defence. The work programme focuses on the flagship initiatives the Commission will take in the first year of its mandate, “responding to the issues that matter most to Europeans.” The EC…
Fight For The Soul Of Europe
The Left group in the European Parliament has warned it is getting ready for a fight for the soul of Europe. It says this comes with the new Arizona government in Belgium, conservatives cosying up to the AfD in Germany, and Meloni cracking down on the right to protest. The blunt message from the group…
Ruslan Stefanchuk At The European Parliament
The Chair of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, has addressed a formal sitting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Welcoming Stefanchuk to the hemicycle on Tuesday, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said: “I am proud that this Parliament has stood with Ukraine from the very first moment – united, unwavering, and resolute.” The MEP…