Photo by Tbel Abuseridze on Unsplash The European Union says it regrets the Georgian Dream’s decision not to pursue the opening of EU accession negotiations and rejecting EU financial support until 2028. A statement from the EU said the announcement marks a shift from the policies of all previous Georgian governments and the European aspirations…
Author: Our Staff Correspondent
Hong Kong Violating Human Rights
Photo by Joseph Chan on Unsplash MEPs have raised concerns over Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law. The Hong Kong government must, say Euro members, immediately and unconditionally release all pro-democracy politicians, activists and journalists sentenced on national security charges and drop…
Action To Combat Domestic Violence
Photo by Altin Ferreira on Unsplash European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has called for more action to combat the bullied victims of domestic violence who, she says, are often left “traumatised” by their ordeal. She was speaking in parliament to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. To honour victims, the…
New European Commission Under Fire from Left
Some MEPs have signalled their strong disapproval of the new team of EU commissioners to serve under Ursula von der Leyen. MEPs voted to back the new team, or college, at the plenary in Strasbourg. The mainstream parties voted in favour of the new look commission. But the Left Group is particularly scathing, branding the…
Polish Presidency January to June 2025
Photo by Maksym Harbar on Unsplash Poland has outlined the political direction of the rotating presidency the country will hold from January to June 2025. Details were unveiled by the Polish Undersecretary of State, Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka. The central theme of the presidency is ‘security’, structured around seven key pillars: external, energy, economic, food, climate, health and information. This comprehensive…
Making Europe’s Housing More Affordable
Photo by Belinda Fewings on Unsplash A conference has been told that greater use of digitalisation in the construction and housing industry can bring opportunities to tackle the issue of housing affordability in Europe. Since housing is not just a need but a human right a pan-European response to the various challenges is needed, the…
Whatever it Takes, As Long as it Takes.
The European Parliament yesterday held an extraordinary plenary session with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking 1000 days of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Opening the sitting, its President Roberta Metsola said that Parliament would continue standing with Ukraine until it has “freedom and real peace, for as long as it takes.” Speaking in Brussels, she…
Zelenskyy to Address European Parliament
Photo by Robert Anasch on Unsplash Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will this week address MEPs from Ukraine in a special plenary session of the EU parliament. The event marks 1000 days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This comes after it was revealed at the weekend that the U.S. will allow Ukraine to strike Russia with…
Making the Energy Transition Happen
Photo by Eelco Böhtlingk on Unsplash A conference held in Estonia has heard that low-carbon hydrogen is a key component of the energy transition and can make it happen. But, the event was also told, it needs infrastructure and financing to develop its potential. Discussing and identifying strategic actions for the development of sustainable infrastructure…
EP Hearings for Teresa Ribera Trigger Dispute
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash In her bid to become Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Commissioner-Designate Teresa Ribera’s fielded difficult questions from MEPs in the European Parliament. Her appearance has now led to a furious row between the two biggest groups in the parliament. The Socialists claim that the EPP’s…