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…
Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash The EU Commission has been urged to present a new strategy for older persons before the end of its current mandate The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called on the European Commission and the Member States to develop a new European Strategy for Older Persons in a plenary debate with Commission Vice…
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash The European Council held an exchange of views with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg on EU-NATO cooperation and Euro-Atlantic security, and issued a statement on Ukraine with the following five key points:-
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash MEPs have call on NATO allies to “honour their commitment” to Ukraine and pave the way for Kyiv to be invited to join the defence alliance. In the resolution, adopted with 425 votes in favour, 38 against with 42 abstentions, MEPs stress that they expect that the “accession process will start after…
Photo by Brian Wangenheim on Unsplash A new report has voiced real concern about a current “war on journalism” in parts of Europe. In 2022, since Russia’s launched its war of aggression against Ukraine, at least 12 journalists and media workers were killed and 21 injured while performing their professional duties, says a new report, published on Tuesday….
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash EU member states have decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 87 Russian individuals and 34 entities. This was decided in response to the gravity of what the EU calls the “continued Russian full-scale invasion and military aggression against Ukraine” which was launched on 24 February. A statement by Josep Borrell, High Representative for…
Photo by Nati Melnychuk on Unsplash The EU-New Zealand trade agreement has taken a big step towards ratification, with the Commission sending it to Council for signature. Sending the draft decisions to the Council on the signature and conclusion of the agreement is a major step. Once the Council gives its green light, the EU and New Zealand…
Ahead of the summit between the European Union and Ukraine, EU Member States adopted assistance measures under the European Peace Facility (EPF) that provide further military assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. These consist of a seventh package worth €500 million, and a new €45 million assistance measure supporting the training efforts of the European Union Military Assistance Mission…
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash EU Member States have decided to prolong by six months, until 31 July the restrictive measures targeting specific sectors of the economy of the Russian Federation. The move was announced in a statement today Friday 27 January. The sanctions, first introduced in 2014 in response to Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in…
