Dear Chancellor, dear Friedrich, first of all, I would like to thank you for your welcoming and for this opportunity to have an in-depth and a face-to-face exchange on the main political priorities for our European Union. Germany is a key pillar of our union, of our economy and our capacity to face different challenges in this world. I'm encouraged about the new dynamism in the engagement in...
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Mehran Bahramian was executed on September 6 by Iranian authorities, after being arrested and sentenced to death in connection with the 2022 protests in Iran. The current pace of executions in Iran, at least 770 since January 2025, is appalling. The European Union condemns in the strongest term the use of capital punishment as a response to domestic dissent. The EU urges the Iranian authorit...
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The press briefing ahead of the General Affairs Council will take place on Thursday, 11 September 2025 at 15.30 in the Europa building press room. This briefing will be "off the record". The press briefing will take place in a hybrid format: EU accredited journalists will be able to participate and ask questions either remotely or in person. To attend the event remotely, please use the li...
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Today’s airstrike by Israel against Hamas leaders in Doha breaches international law and Qatar’s territorial integrity, and risks a further escalation of violence in the region. We express full solidarity with the authorities and the people of Qatar, a strategic partner of the EU. Any escalation of the war in Gaza must be avoided - it is in no one’s interest. We will continue to support all ...
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Dear Evika, first of all, thank you very much for your warm welcome. It is very important for me to listen to each leader ahead of this new political year because we are a union of nations, a union of diversity, and all voices count in building our unity and our common position. We have clearly two main priorities: security - defence, and competitiveness. This week I am visiting the Baltic s...
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Good morning, dear President, Dear Members of the European Parliament, International efforts to end Russia’s war have stepped up in the last few months. But Russia’s response is more aggression. Over the weekend, Russia launched the largest aerial assault of this war so far. Putin has zero interest in peace, and he will not stop the war until he is forced to. This is why the European Unio...
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On 4 September 2025, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) issued an Opinion on two Proposals: one to authorise the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, and the other to authorise the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the same Convention. The Convention seeks to establish common rules at the global level to strengt...
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The EU deeply regrets the deaths and violence of the ongoing demonstrations in Nepal. The killings should be independently investigated. The EU calls for restraint and for the authorities to take all necessary measures to protect lives. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased and wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. The EU encourages dialogue between all sides to resolve differe...
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The meeting of the European Council will take place on 23 and 24 October 2025 in the Europa building in Brussels. Address: Rue de la Loi 155/Wetstraat 155, 1040-Brussels. Registration Media representatives wishing to cover the meeting in person are required to register in advance, following this link. Application deadline: Friday 3 October at 14:00 IMPORTANT: Media representatives are s...
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This badge is intended for journalists resident in Belgium and gives access, during the whole calendar year 2025, to the Council premises during summits and high-level meetings, as well as on regular working days. Application deadline: Friday 3 October 2025 at 14:00 Apply for the one-year badge More information on the one-year badge (PDF) Procedure Before starting the online...
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