The European Commission has adopted a comprehensive strategy to step up support for the EU eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Strengthening the prosperity and resilience of these regions is not only an expression of EU solidarity in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also a strategic investment in Europe’s security, competitiveness, […]
Parliament awarded Sakharov Prize 2025 to Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli
President Metsola presented the Sakharov Prize 2025 to representatives of the journalists, imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, at a ceremony in Strasbourg on Tuesday. Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola said: “I am proud to award this year’s Sakharov Prize to journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli in recognition of their courageous struggle for freedom of expression […]
EU adopts new measures against Russian shadow fleet ecosystem and Belarus
The Commission welcomes last December 15’s decision by EU Member States to adopt supplementary sanctions against key components of the Russian shadow fleet value chain, as well as against Belarus. These new measures aim at further increasing pressure on Russia and Belarus to reinforce and support the EU’s commitment to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Supplementary sanctions on shadow […]
19th package of sanctions against Russia: EU targets Russian energy, third-country banks and crypto providers
Thursday 23rd, the Council adopted a sweeping 19th package of further 69 individual listings and numerous economic restrictive measures targeting key sectors which fuel Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, including energy, finance and the military industrial complex. The Council is also strengthening control over the movement of Russian diplomats across the EU and taking further measures against those responsible for the abduction of […]
Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, winners of Sakharov Prize 2025
The two journalists, imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, are the winners of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2025, which they will receive at a ceremony in the EP on 16 December. Announcing the award in the Chamber on Wednesday, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “By awarding this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of […]
Parliament approves new tariffs on Russian and Belarussian agricultural goods
MEPs backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods on Thursday, seeking to reduce EU dependency on those imports. Plenary has endorsed the Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products from Russia and Belarus that were not yet subject to extra customs duties. The aim is to […]
Tariffs on agricultural products and fertilisers, new measures against Russia and Belarus
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to impose tariffs on a number of agricultural products from Russia and Belarus, as well as on certain nitrogen-based fertilisers. The agricultural products affected by the new tariffs constitute 15% of agricultural imports from Russia in 2023 that had not yet been subject to increased tariffs. Once adopted by the Council, […]
Belarus: Fourth meeting of the Consultative Group with democratic forces and civil society held in Brussels
The 4th meeting of the Consultative Group between the European Union and Belarusian democratic forces and civil society took place on 11 December, in Brussels. The meeting presented the opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s support to the brave Belarusian democratic forces in their quest for a democratic, independent, and sovereign Belarus. In the margins of […]
European Parliament adoptes 3 resolutions on human rights issues in Belarus, Iran and Nigeria
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions on human rights issues in Belarus, Iran and Nigeria. New wave of mass arrests in Belarus of opposition activists and their family members MEPs strongly condemn the recent wave of mass arrests in Belarus and urge the illegitimate Lukashenka regime to cease its repression, reminding the regime […]