European Union

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday (2 April) decided to walk a mobilisation tightrope as the country enters decisive preparations for an anticipated Russian offensive as support from Kyiv’s allies remains underwhelming.

Donald Trump called immigrants illegally in the United States "animals" and "not human" in a speech in Michigan on Tuesday (2 April), resorting to the degrading rhetoric he has employed time and again on the campaign trail.

The Botswanan president on Tuesday (2 April) threatened to send 20,000 elephants to Germany in a dispute over the import of hunting trophies.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and those who support him are facing an uphill battle for the NATO top job, likely to delay the decision by weeks.

On this episode of our daily Today in the EU podcast we are talking about Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s effort to gain support from both ends of the political spectrum.

Turkish authorities on Tuesday (2 April) prevented the newly elected mayor of a pro-Kurdish party taking up his post and announced a re-run vote in another district where President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s party lost, prompting legal challenges and opposition condemnation.

The European Commission has rejected Bulgaria's proposed rules on pharmaceutical trade, which include a ban on rare medicine exports until domestic needs are fully covered.

The number of intensive care beds in Sweden continues to fall, raising concern among dedicated doctors and nurses. It is estimated that an additional 60 to 80 critical care beds will be needed soon.

The Czech healthcare system is on dangerous ground, and its financial sustainability is questioned by stakeholders, including the Czech health minister. They say a new focus on efficiency could help stop the downward trajectory.

Reflecting on his tenure as the 15th Chinese ambassador to the European Union, Fu Cong used his farewell speech to highlight progress in China-EU relations, while urging stronger future ties.

On 20 March, GSMA – the organisation representing the interests of mobile network operators worldwide – published its latest manifesto, setting out reforms it believes are needed to make Europe’s connectivity ecosystem fit for the future.

Mass electrification of light transport, buildings, and support for electrification of industrial processes will be essential, according to a new 2050 scenario.

Elected on a tide of youth and radicalism, Senegal's new president Bassirou Diomaye Faye has promised to take the country out of the West African CFA franc — a currency viewed by many as a relic of French colonialism.

NATO members are considering transitioning coordination of military deliveries to Ukraine as well as a €100 billion fund to secure long-term support and be able to weather any major political shift across the Western military alliance.

The EU lacks the influence and joint strategy to become a big player in Lebanon, despite its extensive involvement in Lebanese politics and society, recent months have shown.

The EU is equipping itself to face down threats coming from Belarus and Russia, following fresh comments that Minsk wants no conflict but is still preparing for war.

A delegation of AFET Members will travel to Lilongwe in Malawi and Lusaka in Zambia from 17 to 21 December. With this visit, MEPs aim to further strengthening bilateral and EU-Africa partnerships amidst global geopolitical challenges. Members will meet with government and parliament officials as well as with representative of civil society to discuss global and regional peace and security issues of mutual interest.
Mission report
Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

A delegation of AFET Members travelled to Mexico and Costa Rica from 31 October to 2 November 2023 to discuss bilateral cooperation and ongoing geopolitical challenges. During their visit Members met with parliamentary counterparts, government representatives of both countries and non-governmental organisations.

In Mexico, they discussed joint efforts to boost the EU-Mexico Strategic Partnership, ongoing work to conclude the modernised Global Agreement between the EU and Mexico and security and migration crises. In Costa Rica the focus of discussions was on the EU-Costa Rica bilateral and multilateral cooperation, geopolitical, security and migration challenges, Costa Rica's region role in Central America, the EU's Global Gateway initiative, and parliamentary ties.

Location : Mexico and Costa Rica
European Parliament News
Mission report
Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

A delegation of AFET Members traveled to the UK from 18 to 19 September 2023. This was the first time that the committee traveled to the UK since 31 January 2020 when the United Kingdom officially left the EU. The AFET delegation discussed possibilities for strengthened partnership and deepening dialogue on issues of importance in relevant areas of bilateral cooperation, including in foreign and security affairs.
This visit was also be opportunity to exchange views on issues of significance to Northern Ireland, particularly in the context of the Ireland/Northern Ireland Protocol and the Windsor Framework.
Mission report
Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

A delegation of AFET members traveled to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan from 21 to 25 August 2023. The AFET delegation discussed the regional developments and the potential for closer cooperation in the current challenging geopolitical context, including the impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the introduction of EU sanctions on Russia.
Location : Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Press release
Mission report
Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP