Photo by Christian Lue on Unsplash Competitiveness, SMEs and social inclusion are at the heart of the Belgian EU council presidency programme. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has subsequently made policy recommendations on the relationship between economic governance, long-term inclusive growth and sustainable security. In the first half of 2024, Belgium holds its thirteenth Presidency of…
Photo by Alexandre Bury on Unsplash The new Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU says it will work towards better protecting European citizens and strengthening cooperation. The presidency programme sets out the priorities and main directions of the Belgian presidency of the Council of the EU. The Belgian term takes place from 1 January to 30 June…
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash The European Parliament has debated what MEPs call the dire situation in Serbia after recent elections were reportedly marred by serious fraud claims. The Socialists and Democrats in the EU assembly requested the debate. They and others called for an independent investigation into “all reported irregularities and to support thousands of Serbs…
Photo by Liza Pooor on Unsplash Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the case of Alexei Navalny and other political prisoners. “Today marks three years since Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny returned to Russia. He was arbitrarily arrested, prosecuted and sentenced following his return from Germany, where he was receiving medical treatment…
Photo by munshots on Unsplash There are five defined crisis tribes across Europe’s voting population, and concerns about climate change and immigration will be key mobilising issues for citizens in the run-up to the European Parliament elections and other major ballots in Europe in 2024, according to a new polling-backed study published today by the European Council on…
Photo by Nick Sparkman on Unsplash A cross-party campaign pushing for electoral reform in the UK has taken a key step forward. The move has been greeted by those who are campaigning in Britain for the creation of overseas parliamentary constituencies. In a new development this week, British Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine has tabled an Early Day Motion on the…
The European Parliament has been awarded the Freedom Prize of the Republic of Lithuania. The parliament’s President, Roberta Metsola,has also been given the Grand Cross of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas. Last Friday, President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda made the award to Metsola “for her leadership and personal will…
Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash Journalists are being “deliberately targeted to cover up stories and restrict the public’s right to know”, it is claimed. The allegation was made by the respected International Federation of Journalists. It has just published its annual list of journalists killed which records the highest number of deaths in recent years. Is says…
Photo by Anastasiia Krutota on Unsplash The “survival” of Ukrainians depends on continued financial aid to the war-torn country, according to a leading human rights lawyer. The comments, by Oleksandra Matviichuk, come amid intensified attacks in the Russia-Ukraine war and pressure to initiate peace negotiations. Matviichuk is a leading Ukrainian human rights lawyer and co-recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize….
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash Glowing tributes have been paid to Jacques Delors after it was announced he had died at the age of 98 at his Paris home. The Frenchman was seen by most as a key architect of the modern EU. He served as president of the European commission and also served…
