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…
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has travelled to Kyiv, accompanied by 15 Commissioners, for the first ever meeting between the College and the Ukrainian Government. The meeting takes place back to back with the EU-Ukraine summit, the first since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the granting of candidate status. von der…
Photo by Dustin Humes on Unsplash Germany’s slowness in authorising the supply of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine was bad news for Ukraine, European security and Germany itself. But other Western leaders should not be too smug, writes Ian Bond. Just days after Russia launched its full-scale assault on Ukraine in February 2022, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz described it as…
Photo by Nina Abdel Malak on Unsplash As Lebanon faces an unprecedented crisis, a new political class is beginning to emerge in the country. Mr. Omar Harfouch is the most telling example of this generation that wants to rebuild Lebanon, writes Eric Gozlan. The Lebanese Parliament has still not succeeded in electing a successor to Michel Aoun, President…
The European Parliament has urged the Moroccan authorities to respect freedom of expression and media freedom and to provide a fair trial for the imprisoned journalist Omar Radi. MEPs have called for his immediate provisional release and demand an end to the harassment of all journalists in the country, as well as of their lawyers…
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…
Photo by Alina Grubnyak on Unsplash The ECR group in the EU Parliament says the international community should seek a re-federalisation of the Russian state. It states, “For many who have experienced Russian oppression in the past, the war in Ukraine can only end when the Russian Federation is completely repulsed and defeated.” It says “re-federalisation” is needed…
Photo by Thiago Rocha on Unsplash MEPs say that any counter-measures targeting the EU taken by what they call the “brutal regime of Iran” will not stop them from denouncing the “lack of democracy, freedom and respect of human rights in the country.” Deputies have again “strongly condemned” the Iranian authorities’ decision to impose sanctions against EU and…
Photo by Erica Magugliani on Unsplash Israel’s President Isaac Herzog addressed Parliament during the plenary session in Brussels today, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opened the solemn sitting with an introductory speech. After President Isaac Herzog’s address, MEPs observed a minute of silence. The ceremony closed with a musical performance by Chen…
Photo by Marissa Beletti on Unsplash This year’s European Rail Champion Award 2023 has been awarded to Ukrainian Railways. The award is made by the Association of the European Rail Supply Industry and the community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies It aims to celebrate the achievements of inspired individuals whose bright ideas, ingenious innovations and bold policy initiatives have contributed to enhance, grow…
