As part of the comprehensive twelfth package of sanctions adopted yesterday, the Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 61 individuals and 86 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Today’s new listings target primarily the military and defence sectors. The Council is listing more than 40 companies taking part…
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash There are fears about the impact enlargement could have on the EU’s political power in the world, says a new survey. It says Poland and Denmark are the most optimistic on this question, with a plurality of 43% and 35% of citizens, respectively, believing Ukraine’s accession would have a positive…
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…
Photo by Jean Carlo Emer on Unsplash Charles Michel has admitted that the EU and US face “enormous” challenges. He was speaking on the eve of the upcoming EU- US summit in Washington. The former Belgian PM, now EU council president, said, “The EU and US share a special bond. We are more than close allies, we are…
Photo by Joel & Jasmin Førestbird on Unsplash Member states have appointed a new European prosecutor to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Miranda de Meijer will serve a term for a non-renewable period of six years which will start on 1 November. This appointment takes place in the context of the partial renewal of the EPPO College. As…
Photo by Brandon Morales on Unsplash EU council chief Charles Michel has described Ukraine as “a crime scene.” He was addressing the UN Security council meeting in New York. Michel added, “The perpetrator is sitting in this very room. You know who you are.” The former Belgian PM added, “The Kremlin dreams of restoring the old Russian empire. After Ukraine,…
Photo by Ying Wu on Unsplash The EU and China have both said that they wish to pursue “stable and constructive relations”. The pledge comes amidst growing tensions surrounding China’s policy towards its near neighbour, Taiwan, and other issues. European Council President Charles Michel met with China’s Prime Minister LI Qiang in the margins of…
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the awarding of 400 Starting Grants to young scientists and scholars across Europe. The grants – totalling €628 million – support cutting-edge research in a wide range of fields, from medicine and physics to social sciences and humanities. They will help researchers at the…
Photo by Egor Vikhrev on Unsplash The EU says it is reacting with unprecedented speed to tackle the biggest wildfires ever recorded in the EU. The Commission’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre has mobilised 11 firefighting planes and 1 helicopter from the rescEU reserve, stationed in 6 Member States. In addition, 6 European countries have contributed…
Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash Barend Leyts, spokesman of the President of the European Council, is to join the cabinet of the Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo where he will take on the role of Director of Communications. Leyts and the President of the European Council, currently Charles Michel, have worked 8 years together. The…
