Photo by Fred Moon on Unsplash The European Commission has updated its list of “high risk” third country jurisdictions presenting strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering/countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) regimes. Two third-country jurisdictions were added to it: Nigeria and South Africa, while two other jurisdictions were taken off the list – Cambodia and Morocco. This list takes into account the changes decided at…
Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash The EU admits there is “persistent uncertainty” stemming from Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. But it also says that the European economy “continues to show resilience in a challenging global context.” Lower energy prices, abating supply constraints and a strong labour market supported moderate growth in the first quarter of 2023, it…
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash MEPs are in the United States this week for meetings with their U.S. counterparts working on EU-US cooperation on justice and home affairs. The delegation in Washington D.C. includes LIBE chair Juan Fernando López Aguilar and S&D spokesperson for justice and home affairs Birgit Sippel. They will speak to counterparts about the…
Photo by Georgi Kyurpanov on Unsplash Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has praised outgoing EU commissioner Mariya Gabriel following her shock resignation. Gabriel, the European Commissioner for innovation and research, quit on Monday to focus on helping to form Bulgaria’s next coalition government. She had served as European Commissioner since 2017, when she replaced Kristalina Georgieva, now…
Photo by Timon Gschwind on Unsplash MEPs have underlined the need for a coordinated humanitarian response to help those already in need in Sudan. They say this is also needed to prevent the conflict from spreading over into neighbouring countries. Members have now called on European authorities and leaders to do their utmost to push both parties in…
Photo by George Pagan III on Unsplash MEPs have backed three resolutions on the respect for human rights in Algeria, Belarus and Myanmar. Deputies, at their session in Strasbourg, urged the Algerian authorities to “immediately release all those arbitrarily detained and charged for exercising their right to freedom of expression.” They say these include the prominent journalist Ihsane…
Photo by Tristan B. on Unsplash On Saturday 20 May, Brussels Pride – The Belgian & European Pride – will once again put the LGBTQIA+ community in the spotlight and decorate the streets of Brussels in the colours of the rainbow. This year, the theme is “Protect the Protest”. A call to respect the fundamental right to protest,…
Photo by Jorgen Hendriksen on Unsplash German Chancellor Olaf Scholz discussed with MEPs his views on Europe’s challenges and the bloc’s future. The debate took place today on 9th May, which is Europe Day. Before the start of the debate in Strasbourg, parliament’s President Roberta Metsola made a statement to mark Europe Day. Later President Metsola and Chancellor…
Photo by Colin Lloyd on Unsplash The EU has been urged to review its policy towards Pakistan due to an alleged rise in human rights abuses in the country. The demand was made at a conference in Brussels on Monday organised by Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF). Moderator, Willy Fautre, director of HRWF, a respected Brussels-based rights group,…
Photo by Brenda Godinez on Unsplash The European Parliament has been accused of “missing an opportunity” to acknowledge the need to include plant-based milks in the EU scheme subsidising school meals. In their vote ahead of the expected EU proposal, awaited for the end of the year, deputies were accused of “showing once again very low ambition to allow…
