By Martin Banks Over 500 participants took part in the 2024 Budapest Forum. They included government ministers, ambassadors, national politicians, academics and policy experts who gathered last week at the Central European University (CEU) in Hungary. The annual event, which seeks to find democratic solutions to challenges facing the world today, has grown in size […]
Βy Martin Banks The European Commission has taken what it calls “a decisive step” in reinforcing support for Ukraine by proposing a comprehensive financial assistance package. This, it has been revealed, consists of a Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism of up to €45 billion, and an exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA) loan of up to €35 billion. […]
By Martin Banks MEPs are calling on the EU to speed up financial aid for victims of the devastating floods affecting a quarter of European countries. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Germany have all been hit by extreme weather conditions, resulting in the deaths of 23 people. MEPs say the loss of […]
By Martin Banks The new-look European Commission has been unveiled by its president Ursula von der Leyen. Outlining the new team to MEPs in Strasbourg on Tuesday, the German official told deputies that gender balance had been uppermost in her thoughts. The college, as it is formally called, comprises 11 women, 40 per cent of […]
By Imane Belguenani (Brussels MP) The two-year postponement of the next phase of the LEZ (the low emission zone) in Brussels is not a proposal burdened with community-based issues. I am Dutch-speaking and co-submitted the proposal. So why is it, as we say in Belgium, being “played out as a community issue”? Let’s go back […]
By Martin Banks More than 700 workers “united” on Tuesday in front of the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France, to call upon the EU institutions for urgent action to stop exploitation in subcontracting chains and labour intermediation. The European action was organised by the EFBWW (European Federation of Building and Woodworkers), EFFAT (the European Federation of […]
By Martin Banks Brussels Airport is providing a much-need boost for the local economy – while its second most popular long-haul airline is doing the same for the travelling public. Both the airport and Emirates are celebrating “success stories” – particularly welcome as the post-pandemic recovery continues. According to a new study, the airport remains […]
By Martin Banks European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has presented the proposal for the new European Commission. On Tuesday, speaking in Strasbourg to MEPs, she told MEPs her thoughts on the new line up. The former German defence minister said, “We do not have the extra layer of Vice-Presidents. Leaner structure, more interactive […]
By Martin Banks Media freedom in Italy has been steadily declining in recent years, says a new report. This, it claims, is marked by “unprecedented attacks and violations often initiated by public officials in an attempt to silence critical voices.” The claims are made by the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) which has just published […]
By Vassilios Nicolaos Vitsilogiannis In a groundbreaking fusion of technology and high fashion, Andriani Manetta, owner of Victorious Team, hosted an exclusive fashion show at the luxurious L7 Boutique Hotel. The private event showcased a perfect blend of innovation and couture, bringing together some of the most creative minds in the industry. The highlight […]
