2022 was a year marked by sudden, unexpected events, from continuing to deal with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical and economic turmoil. As the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation, Europol supports EU Member States in preventing and combating all forms of serious international and organised crime, cybercrime and terrorism. Of the […]
Read More
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the publication of the recent UN Group of Experts report
The EU commends the resolute African-led initiatives to address the root causes of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The EU reaffirms its full support to the Luanda and Nairobi processes and calls on all parties to rapidly implement the decisions taken within their frame. The EU welcomes the political […]
Read More
EP President launches procedure for two waivers of immunity
President Metsola has launched an urgent procedure for the waiver of immunity of two Members of the European Parliament, following a request from the Belgian judicial authorities. The first procedural steps have been taken and the President will announce the request in plenary at the first possible opportunity on 16 January. The request will be then […]
Read More
Disinformation: Kremlin ABC: Adapt Focus. Blame Others. Cancel Events
Last week the Kremlin performed a couple of well-known tricks from its propagandist playbook. Even if the tricks are old, they usually work, provided you dominate the information landscape. And the Kremlin is constantly working hard to secure a dominant place across digital spaces both at home and abroad. – EU and Kosovo in focus. […]
Read More
Trafficking in human beings: Commission proposes stronger rules to fight the evolving crime
The Commission proposes to strengthen the rules that prevent and combat trafficking in human beings. Every year over 7000 people become victims of human trafficking in the EU. That figure can be expected to be much higher as many victims remain undetected. The yearly cost of trafficking in human beings in the EU reaches EUR […]
Read More
EU leaders addressed how to help Ukraine through the winter
EU leaders met in Brussels for a one-day summit. They adopted conclusions on Ukraine/Russia, energy and economy, security and defence, the Southern Neighbourhood, transatlantic relations and other items, covering Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran. Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine The European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and […]
Read More
Cybersecurity: EU holds 8th dialogue with the United States
On 15-16 December 2022, the European Union and United States held the eighth EU-U.S. Cyber Dialogue in Washington, DC. This took place in the context of a dramatically deteriorated cyber threat environment due to Russia’s illegal military aggression against Ukraine, which has underlined the need for enhanced transatlantic cooperation and coordination to prevent, detect and […]
Read More
Ukraine: EU agrees ninth package of sanctions against Russia
The Commission welcomes the Council’s adoption of a ninth package of hard-hitting sanctions against Russia for its aggression against Ukraine. This responds to Russia’s continued escalation and illegal war against Ukraine, in particular as Russia is deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, seeking to paralyse the country at the beginning of the winter. The New […]
Read More
Impact of EU sanctions on the Russian economy
Since Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Council has adopted eight packages of sanctions against Russia and Belarus. The sanctions aim at weakening Russia’s ability to finance the war and specifically target the political, military and economic elite responsible for the invasion. The restrictive measures do not target Russian society. […]
Read More