Video conference of the members of the European Council, 17 October 2023 Agenda highlights In light of Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks against Israel and the unfolding tragic scenes in the Gaza Strip resulting from the siege, President Charles Michel has convened an extraordinary European Council meeting, to be held by video conference on Tuesday 17 October […]
Read MoreForeign affairs ministers discuss situation in Israel and the region
EU ministers of Foreign Affairs held an informal videoconference during which they discussed the situation in Israel and in the region following recent attacks by Hamas. In line with the co-chairs’ statement published earlier after the 27th GCC-EU Joint Council, EU ministers in their internal meeting condemned the recent attacks, called for the protection of civilians and […]
Read MoreEDIRPA: regulatory green light to boost common procurement in EU defence industry
The Council adopted a regulation establishing an instrument for the Reinforcement of the European Defence Industry through common procurement (EDIRPA), paving the way for its entry into force. The regulation will incentivise cooperation in defence procurement between member states in order to increase solidarity, prevent crowding-out effects, increase the effectiveness of public spending and reduce excessive fragmentation in defence procurement. […]
Read MoreThe European Commission announces an urgent review of its financial assistance for Palestine
The Commission unequivocally condemns the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel over the weekend. Following these events, the Commission has announced that it is launching an urgent review of the EU’s assistance for Palestine. In addition to the existing safeguards, the objective of this review is to ensure that no EU funding indirectly […]
Read MoreStatement by Josep Borrell on behalf of the European Union on the attacks on Israel
Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the attacks against Israel The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the multiple and indiscriminate attacks across Israel by Hamas and deeply deplores the loss of lives. The EU calls for an immediate cessation of these senseless attacks and violence, which will […]
Read MoreEuropean Parliament condemns violent seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh and calls for sanctions against those responsible
Condemning Azerbaijan’s violent seizure of Nagorno-Karabakh, MEPs call for sanctions against those responsible and for the EU to review its relations with Baku. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, Parliament strongly condemns Azerbaijan’s pre-planned and unjustified military attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September, which MEPs say constitutes a gross violation of international law and human […]
Read MoreHuman Rights: breaches in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Egypt
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on the human rights situations in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Egypt. Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials Parliament strongly denounces the severe human rights violations in Afghanistan and warns that since the Taliban takeover of the country the frequency of human […]
Read MoreEU Member States agree to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine
In order to provide certainty for more than 4 million Ukrainian refugees currently living in the EU, the Council agreed to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine from 4 March 2024 to 4 March 2025. The EU will support the Ukrainian people for as long as it […]
Read MoreSeptember infringement proceedings package concerning Spain: main decisions
Brussels, 28 September 2023. The main decisions adopted by the Commission concerning Spain are presented below, grouped by policy area. The Commission will also close 135 cases that have been settled by the Member States concerned without the Commission having to pursue the procedure further. Environment Letters of formal notice Commission calls on SPAIN to […]
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