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 […]
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Commission triples humanitarian assistance for Gaza
President Ursula von der Leyen spoke to the Secretary General of the UN António Guterres this afternoon, in the context of her on-going contacts with regional leaders. Following this call, she said: “The Commission will immediately increase the current humanitarian aid envelope foreseen for Gaza by 50 million euros. This will bring the total to over 75 million […]
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EU approves €3.5 million humanitarian aid package in response to the earthquake in Afghanistan
In response to the deadly earthquake that hit western Afghanistan this weekend, the EU provides emergency humanitarian aid for an amount of €3.5 million, in order to address the most urgent needs of the affected population. Following the deadly earthquake that hit western Afghanistan this weekend, the EU will provide emergency humanitarian aid for an […]
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The 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 […]
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European Union agrees to phase down fluorinated gases and ozone-depleting substances
The Council and Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional political agreement on phasing down substances that cause global warming and deplete the ozone layer. This provisional agreement finalises negotiations on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and confirms an informal agreement reached in June on ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). While existing EU legislation has already limited the use […]
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EU leaders start debate on the strategic agenda
In Granada, leaders addressed key issues for the future of the EU, including the strategic agenda, enlargement and migration. Highlighting achievements to date, EU leaders discussed long-term priorities with regard to enhancing the EU’s strategic autonomy. They adopted the Granada declaration, in which they outlined key priorities and actions to make Europe a strong, dynamic […]
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European 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 […]
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EU leaders to discuss long-term priorities on 6 October in Granada
EU leaders will gather in Granada, Spain, to launch discussions on priorities for the years ahead. By taking stock of past work on how to enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy, the discussions will help prepare the EU’s next strategic agenda, a five-year policy plan to equip the EU with general political guidelines and directions. Invitation letter […]
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EU 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 […]
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