BRUSSELS | SOFIA |
SKOPJE
EU officials will arrive on Friday in Sofia with a compromise solution to overcome the Bulgarian veto against North Macedonia starting accession negotiations, former Bulgarian foreign minister Ekaterina Zaharieva announced, warning that their proposal is against the Bulgarian interest. Read more.
At the same time, Croatia’s President Zoran Milanovic on Thursday said North Macedonia has fulfilled all the democratic conditions to open EU accession talks, but it is constantly being “kicked” around, after Sofia criticised his statements about Bulgaria’s policy on that EU membership aspirant. Read more.
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EU PRESIDENCY
Conclusion of CAP reform a ‘priority’, Portuguese agriculture minister says. Portuguese Agriculture Minister Maria do Céu Antunes has reiterated that the goal of completing the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) during the Portuguese presidency of the Council of the EU to “ensure a greener and more resilient agri
Israel
By Yoni Weiss
YERUSHALAYIM -
Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 3:48 am | ט סיון תשפ א
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and his German counterpart Heiko Maas speak as they stand inside a damaged apartment during their visit to the site of a building hit by a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip last week, in Petach Tikva, Thursday. (Foreign Ministry)
The foreign ministers of Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia arrived in Israel on Thursday in a show of solidarity and support of Israel.
The three diplomats were invited by Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi. Their visit to Israel comes on the heels of Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias’s visit to the country earlier in the week.
LJUBLJANA
Slovenia cancels EU presidency art exhibition in Brussels. Works by Slovenian artists will not be displayed at the European Parliament during Slovenia’s EU presidency after the art show to mark the member states’ six-month stints at the helm of the Council of the EU was cancelled amidst media reports that one of the pieces showcased had been displeasing to the Slovenian government. Read more.
Slovenia PM faces impeachment vote ahead of EU presidency. Less than two months before Slovenia takes over the EU’s rotating presidency, conservative Prime Minister Janez Janša is battling fires at home and abroad including an impeachment motion. More.
Visiting EU FMs: Israel has every right to defend itself
Itamar Eichner |
Published: 05.20.21 , 14:30
The foreign ministers of Germany, the Czech Republic and Slovakia visited the ruins of a building in the central city of Petah Tikvah hit by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip.
In a joint statement by the ministers, Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek said that Israel has every right to defend itself against missile attacks from the Gaza Strip.
His Slovakian counterpart Ivan Korčok added, we understand that Israel has no other option. We are standing here in shock under this destroyed house and hope that the violence will stop soon.
Diplomats visit central Israel home hit by Gaza rocket, reiterate support for Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism; Italian lawmakers hold up Israeli flags in parliament as sign of support