The Israeli Government’s publication of a tender for the construction of over 1,200 housing units under the E1 settlement project fundamentally harms the prospect of the two-State solution. Implementation of the E1 plan would divide the West Bank in two, isolating East Jerusalem, and further eroding the viability of a two-state solution. These developments take place as the West Bank experience...
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The new season of the Tram Experience is off to a flying start The Tram Experience returns on Friday 28 August. The menus for this new season will be created by some of the biggest names in Belgian gastronomy. Among them are the promising David-Alexandre Bruno (Quartz), who will join Michelin-starred chefs such as Olly Ceulenaere (Publiek*) and Ricarda Grommes (Quadras*). To mark 100 years of C...
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The conviction under the National Security Law of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China and two of its former leaders, Lee Cheuk-yan and Chow Hang-tung, on 21 August confirms the continuing deterioration of the freedoms of expression and assembly and a further shrinking of the space for independent civil society in Hong Kong. A third defendant, former lawmake...
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The European Union is deeply concerned by the escalation of violence in the West Bank. We express our deepest condolences to the families of those killed, and wish those injured a full and speedy recovery. Today’s events are a reminder of the fragility of the situation on the ground. The European Union urges all parties to avoid inflammatory language, contribute to de-escalation, and put an ...
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Dear Secretary Lazaro, dear Tess, It is really a pleasure to be back in Manila and let me first congratulate you on your ASEAN Chairmanship. The excellent organisation of this week reflects your strong leadership and convening power. The European Union has long been a reliable partner for ASEAN, and I count on your support as we work towards elevating EU-ASEAN relations to Comprehensive Stra...
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Recent threats by Yemen’s Houthis to impose a maritime blockade on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia pose a direct threat to regional stability and constitute a dangerous escalation. The attack on an oil tanker in the Red Sea is unacceptable, illegal, and further inflames an already volatile situation in the region. Navigation must be unimpeded, in the Strait of Hormuz as well as in the Red Sea. T...
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Excellencies, Your Royal Highness, Let me first thank Philippines for their warm welcome here. This is my second visit to the region in twelve weeks, and I am glad to see the EU's relationship with ASEAN deepening — in words, but also increasingly in deeds. The EU has long been a reliable partner to ASEAN. It is now becoming an increasingly active one, and this will only increase as our p...
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Today, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas and the Foreign Minister of the Sultanate of Oman H.E Sayyid Bader bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi signed the Establishment Agreement for the new European Union Delegation to the Sultanate of Oman. The Agreement provides the legal framework for t...
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On 22-24 July, High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Kaja Kallas will travel to Manila, Philippines. On 22 July, the HR/VP will participate in the EU-ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. On 23 July, the HR/VP will represent the EU at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting to exchange views on regional and global security issues. On 24...
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The Israeli government’s recent decision to allocate significant new funding to settlement expansion in the West Bank is a worrying development. This will result in the further entrenchment of settlements in particularly sensitive areas of the West Bank and the increasing fragmentation and isolation of Palestinian communities, leaving them exposed to greater risks of human rights violations. Fu...
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