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EEAS Press Team The death penalty is an inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, representing the ultimate denial of human dignity. On the occasion of the European and World Day against the Death Penalty, the European Union (EU) and the Council of Europe strongly reaffirm their unequivocal opposition to the death penalty or its reintroduction, in all cases and in …

 EEAS Press Team The horrifying terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and other terrorists on 7 October 2023 have had an impact in the region, the European Union, and the entire world. Our thoughts and hearts have been with the families of those 1,200 innocent people who were brutally assassinated, as well as with the unspeakable suffering of the hostages …

An apartment building in Beirut was hit by an Israeli airstrike on Monday, according to Reuters witnesses, in the first attack within city limits as Israel escalated hostilities against Iran’s allies in the region. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said in a statement early on Monday that three of its leaders were killed in an Israeli …

Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin has authorized the signing of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with Iran. This follows a Tehran visit by the secretary of the Russian Security Council, preceded by a trip to St. Petersburg by the Iranian national security advisor. The intensified engagement suggests that the two sides wish to move past a row over Moscow’s support for …

Germany finalized a migration deal with Uzbekistan, but not much detail was given publicly. The agreement allows the “necessary immigration of highly talented workers that we need in Germany,” German chancellor Olaf Scholz said after talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev. At the same time, simple, “unbureaucratic” procedures were agreed to “so that those who have to go back must …

Nous parlons d’une région du monde ou le pire est généralement certain. Where the worst is generally ‘vrai’. So, I would, first and foremost, [like] to express my sympathy for the Lebanese people who have clearly, for a long time, been hostage of a conflict that they do not deserve, and which is far beyond them. We all know the …

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell met with the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Abbas Araghchi, for a bilateral meeting in New York in the margins of the UN General Assembly. The meeting provided an opportunity to share the EU’s position on a wide range of problematic issues with a particular focus on Iran’s military support to Russia and …

The United States signed a $920 million direct loan agreement with Romania to support its defence modernization program. According to the Romanian government, the deal comes as Romania seeks to boost its defence purchasing plan following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Under the loan agreement, the defence ministry will directly access $700 million, while up to $220 million will go towards …

the European Union and Qatar held their 6th Human Rights Dialogue in Brussels. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, such as labour rights, women’s rights, vulnerable groups, fundamental freedoms, the rule of law – including the right to fair trial and the death penalty – digital rights, and freedom of religion with a focus on combatting anti-Muslim hatred. …

The United States has formally designated the United Arab Emirates a “major defense partner”. The two countries also agreed to deepen collaboration on artificial intelligence. The announcement followed President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s first meeting with President Joe Biden in the Oval Office. The move puts the US-UAE military relationship on the same footing as that between the …

Israel’s military hit dozens of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight, a day after it launched a wave of airstrikes against the Iran-backed group’s sites in Lebanon. It was the heaviest strike in years.Hezbollah said it had attacked several Israeli military targets, including an explosives factory 60 km into Israel and the Megiddo airfield, with a series of rockets.It seems …

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called for U.S. sanctions blocking some defence purchases by Ankara. He also said unilateral measure should be lifted because they hinder NATO allies’ ability to hit long-term bilateral trade targets. Reuters comments that ties between the allies have been strained over a host of issues in recent years, ranging from policy differences in the eastern Mediterranean, …

The European Union is extremely concerned by the escalation in Lebanon, following Friday’s attacks in Beirut – where at least three children were also killed – and the increasing cross border violence between Israel and Hezbollah. Heavy attacks are reported also today, both in Israel and Lebanon. A ceasefire is urgent, across the Blue Line as in Gaza. Civilians on …

U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the urgency of sealing a deal for a truce in Gaza and the release of hostages, the White House said. The call between the leaders, in which Vice President Kamala Harris also took part, came after Palestinian health officials reported at least 50 Palestinians killed by Israeli …

ROTA NAVAL BASE, Spain – A NATO Task Group led by the flagship frigate ESPS Victoria completed a three-week deployment to patrol the Western Mediterranean Sea, as part of NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian (OSG). This is the fourth focused operations (FOCOPS) conducted this year as part of OSG. During the three-week patrol, ESPS Victoria conducted Maritime Situational Awareness (MSA) engaging …