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The new president of the European Council, Antonio Kosta, arrived in Kyiv

Category: Ukraine
Publication date: 01 December 2024

The new president of the European Council, Antonio Kosta, arrived in Kyiv

Yelyzaveta Kovtun

Source: online.ua

On December 1, the President of the European Council, Antoniou Kosta, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Callas, together with the Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, arrived in Kyiv.

Points of attention

The President of the European Council, Antonio Kosta, together with the EU team, expressed their support for Ukraine in wartime conditions.
The European Union actively helps Ukraine in the struggle for peace and security in the region.
The vote in the European Parliament for the new composition of the European Commission confirms the importance of forming the political program of the EU.
The team of the new European Commission, elected with the support of the European Parliament, will start its work on December 1.
Support for Ukraine and cooperation between the EU and Ukraine are maintained at a high level to achieve common goals and objectives.

What is known about Antonio Kosta's visit to Kyiv

From the first day of the war, the EU has been on the side of Ukraine. From the first day of our mandate, we confirm our unwavering support for the Ukrainian people, — Antoniou Kosta wrote.

Kostu noted that he arrived in Kyiv accompanied by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kai Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

From day one of the war, the EU has stood by the side of Ukraine.

From day one of our mandate, we are reaffirming our unwavering support to the Ukrainian people.

Proud to be in Kyiv with @kajakallas and @Marta1Kos. pic.twitter.com/hlBxXCVVh7
— António Costa (@eucopresident) December 1, 2024

Kaya Kallas also confirmed the visit, noting that the main message of this trip to Kyiv is that the European Union wants Ukraine to win this war.

It is a privilege to be in Kyiv alongside @eucopresident Costa and Commissioner Kos.

In my first visit since taking up office, my message is clear: the European Union wants Ukraine to win this war.

We will do whatever it takes for that. pic.twitter.com/swv1ZVAlyL
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) December 1, 2024

We will do everything necessary for this, — said the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaya Callas.

The European Parliament elected a new composition of the European Commission

During the plenary session in Strasbourg on November 27, the European Parliament by a majority of votes approved the composition of the new European Commission, which was previously proposed by the current and elected President of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen.

370 deputies voted "for" this decision, 282 voted "against", and another 36 European politicians abstained.

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metzola, believes that this structure played an important role in the formation of the political program, the selection of candidates and the voting for the new composition of the European Commission. Metzola said this at a joint press conference with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

We played our part in voting for Ursula von der Leyen's team and in shaping the political agenda that will guide the new European Commission, and we played our role in vetting the team that will help deliver that agenda over the next five years, as Democrats and responsible politicians.

According to her, this composition of the commission will begin work on December 1.

600 bunkers. Estonia to strengthen border with Russia

Olena Shevchenko

Читати українською

Source: ERR

In 2025, Estonia plans to begin construction of fortifications with bunkers on the border with Russia.

Points of attention

Estonia plans to construct 600 bunkers on the border with Russia to enhance its defense capabilities, including protection against attacks and drones.
The bunkers will be strategically located on both state and private land and are designed to withstand a 152 mm shell hit, drawing from the experiences of the war in Ukraine.
The Estonian military is nearing the final stages of coordination with the Defense Forces to begin building the first stronghold of 14 bunkers, with more to follow on the southeastern border.

Estonia is strengthening its border with Russia as much as possible

It is planned that the first stronghold of 14 bunkers in the northeast will be ready by the fall, with four more bunkers to be built on the southeastern border.

In total, the defense chain will include about 600 bunkers on the eastern border. The defense structures are planned to be built not only on state but also on private land.

By the beginning of the summer, the Estonian military must choose one of two types of bunkers that were tested last year. According to them, the testing took into account the experience of the war in Ukraine. In particular, the bunkers must withstand a hit by a 152 mm shell.

We have not tested the bunkers against drones, but the amount of explosives used during the tests is sufficient to provide protection against them. When installing the bunkers, we take into account the experience gained in Ukraine, where special nets and means are used against drones so that the drone cannot directly enter the bunker, explained Ainar Afanasyev, head of the engineering department of the Defense Forces division headquarters.

It is also planned to install anti-tank barriers and fire position equipment. Some elements of the defensive zone will be installed only in times of crisis.

In times of crisis, explosive barriers, mines, and explosive charges will be used, and measures to destroy bridges and pipelines are also envisaged. These measures are not used in peacetime, but are used in times of crisis.

It is noted that the exact location of these strongholds is currently in the final stage of coordination with the Defense Forces.

Georgian authorities finally adopt pro-Russian law on "foreign agents" — EU reacts

Olha Pokotylo

Читати українською

Source: European truth

The Georgian Dream parliament on April 1 finally adopted a new law on "foreign agents," modeled on the American FARA law, but the Tbilisi equivalent is aimed at independent media and civil society organizations. The EU criticized the document.

Points of attention

The Georgian Dream parliament passed a controversial law on 'foreign agents' resembling the American FARA law but targeting independent media and civil society organizations.
The new legislation includes the return to the law on treason, renaming it 'treason to the motherland', and the exclusion of the concept of 'gender' from multiple laws.
The EU strongly condemned the Georgian law, emphasizing threats to democracy, freedom of speech, and civil society, questioning Georgia's path towards EU accession.

The EU criticized the law on "foreign agents" adopted in Georgia

The Georgian Parliament has adopted amendments to the Law "On Broadcasting", according to which foreign funding of broadcasters will be prohibited and control over the activities of journalists will be strengthened.

At the same time, the Georgian Dream passed the Foreign Agents Registration Act, an analogue of the US FARA law, but unlike the American version, the Georgian law is directed against independent public organizations and media.

The article on treason, which was abolished in 2007, was also returned to the Georgian Criminal Code. It defined the concept of "high treason", but has now been renamed "treason to the motherland."

Georgian parliamentarians have removed the concept of "gender" from 15 existing laws: the wording "gender equality" has been changed to "equality between men and women", while "gender identity" will be excluded from the legislation.

The mandatory participation of NGOs in the legislative process has also been abolished. Georgian Dream explained this decision by saying that the activities of NGOs are "anti-democratic" and "subversive."

However, the participation of the third sector was one of the key requirements of the EU in preparation for Georgia's accession to the European Union.

The "Foreign Agents Registration Act" will enter into force 60 days after being signed by "elected" President Mikheil Kavelashvili, while other amendments will enter into force immediately after being signed.

European Diplomacy Chief Kaia Kallas and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos criticized the new document on "foreign agents" adopted by the "Georgian Dream", emphasizing that the laws "threaten the survival of civil society and independent media, curtail human rights protection, unduly restrict fundamental freedoms and undermine the democratic decision-making process."

"Georgia's return to the path of EU accession is entirely in the hands of the country's authorities. The European Union remains ready to support the European aspirations of the Georgian people and all efforts aimed at a democratic, stable and European future for Georgia," the European External Action Service said in a statement.

Kallas and Kos also stressed that the new laws "further undermine the foundations of democracy in Georgia" and are "fundamentally incompatible with the EU's values of democracy, the rule of law and media pluralism."

The new president of the European Council, Antonio Kosta, arrived in Kyiv

What is known about Antonio Kosta's visit to Kyiv

The European Parliament elected a new composition of the European Commission

More on the topic

600 bunkers. Estonia to strengthen border with Russia

Estonia is strengthening its border with Russia as much as possible

More on the topic

Georgian authorities finally adopt pro-Russian law on "foreign agents" — EU reacts

The EU criticized the law on "foreign agents" adopted in Georgia

More on the topic

What is known about Antonio Kosta's visit to Kyiv

The European Parliament elected a new composition of the European Commission

More on the topic

Share

Estonia is strengthening its border with Russia as much as possible

More on the topic

Share

The EU criticized the law on "foreign agents" adopted in Georgia

More on the topic

Share