Dozens arrested at pro-EU protest in Georgia – POLITICO

Georgia’s human rights ombudsman, Levan Ioselian, has since issued a statement condemning the police response as having “contradicted the standard of necessary and proportionate intervention.” The public defender called for an investigation into the use of “disproportionate force” and apparent targeting of journalists covering the events. Meanwhile, the mayor of Tbilisi, Georgian Dream politician Kakha … Read more

EU shouldn’t leave newer members behind, Dombrovskis says on enlargement anniversary – POLITICO

“We are facing the green and digital transformation of our economies … and it’s very important that in this process we are not leaving countries and regions behind,” Dombrovskis said, speaking ahead of the celebrations of 20 years of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joining the EU. … Read more

Journalists fear North Macedonia’s new media law – POLITICO

North Macedonians are heading to the polls for the first round of presidential elections on Wednesday, followed by a second round on May 8. Pendarovski, the current president of North Macedonia, whose candidacy for a second term is supported by the pro-EU ruling Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM), and Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, candidate of the … Read more

Georgia not ready for EU, says ruling party – POLITICO

“If we are told that tomorrow we will become a member of the EU, then it will be possible to very easily cancel it, revise, transform or adopt a new one,” Garibashvili said. At the same time, he claimed that “there is no consensus a country can become a member of the EU today” because … Read more

Punch-up in Georgia’s parliament! Ruling party leader assaulted over ‘Russian law’ – POLITICO

The government says the move, which will apply to NGOs, campaign groups and media outlets that receive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad, is necessary to prevent undue influence over Georgian politics. Critics, however, liken it to Russia’s own foreign agent law that has been used to stifle dissent in the country, … Read more

Occupy Brussels! Viktor Orbán’s plan for Europe – POLITICO

Leading the country’s ideological assault is the Mathias Corvinus Collegium (commonly referred to as MCC), an Orbán-backed think tank. The government-affiliated organization opened a branch in Brussels in 2022, offering an unapologetically conservative take on EU affairs as it seeks to disrupt the Brussels think tank circuit. The Brussels branch, with a staff of about … Read more

This moment may define our children’s future – POLITICO

That is why, on its 75th anniversary, we reiterate NATO’s founding principle: An attack against one of us is considered an attack against all. One for all and all for one. Together, we will defend every inch of NATO territory and stand united against any future Russian aggression. For years, Putin has spread lies and … Read more

Why we must de-risk and embrace regenerative farming

Over the past few years, the EU has been at the forefront of the fight against climate change and pushing for sustainability across all its policies. As president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen set the tone by presenting in her political guidelines for 2019-2024 the main pillar of the EU’s work during … Read more

EU leaders set to open door for Bosnia’s accession – POLITICO

The current draft will be discussed by EU ambassadors Wednesday and by EU leaders Thursday. Several diplomats were optimistic the current language on Bosnia will ultimately be adopted by leaders. One diplomat from a country initially more skeptical of Bosnia’s progress to date, who was granted anonymity to discuss the topic candidly, said that the second … Read more

Ukraine prepares to join the EU club — but Brussels doesn’t want to talk about it – POLITICO

The task ahead on enlargement for the EU is Herculean, particularly on the issue of Ukraine. War-devastated Ukraine, with nearly 44 million people, would be the largest landmass in the bloc. Given its population, Kyiv would wield considerable influence in the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.   Ukraine, once an EU member, will … Read more