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Germany's Central Bank confronts Nazi past and pledges 'never again'

Germany's Central Bank confronts Nazi past and pledges 'never again' Germany's Central Bank confronts Nazi past and pledges 'never again'
Germany's Bundesbank has taken a significant step in addressing the Nazi legacy of its predecessor, unveiling new research that delves into...
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Belgium secures eleventh victory in World Student Diplomacy Championship

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Commission declares Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared for EU accession talks

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Romanian President and Austrian Chancellor confer on Schengen during Bucharest meeting

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NATO unveils 'Nordic Response' with massive military exercises

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Far-right Vlaams Belang surges in Belgian polls

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Sweden officially joins NATO as Hungary grants approval

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Munich Security Conference: Netherlands and US reaffirm support for Ukraine

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Dutch NATO contribution could double without U.S., says Defense Minister

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Germany's Central Bank confronts Nazi past and pledges 'never again'

Germany's Central Bank confronts Nazi past and pledges 'never again' Germany's Central Bank confronts Nazi past and pledges 'never again'
Germany's Bundesbank has taken a significant step in addressing the Nazi legacy of its predecessor, unveiling new research that delves into...
Read More...

Belgium secures eleventh victory in World Student Diplomacy Championship

Belgium secures eleventh victory in World Student Diplomacy Championship Belgium secures eleventh victory in World Student Diplomacy Championship
  On March 14, 2024, Belgium clinched victory in the World Student Diplomacy Championship, a prestigious competition simulating the workings...
Read More...

Commission declares Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared for EU accession talks

Commission declares Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared for EU accession talks Commission declares Bosnia and Herzegovina prepared for EU accession talks

On Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged EU member states to approve the start of accession negotiations with...
Read More...

Romanian President and Austrian Chancellor confer on Schengen during Bucharest meeting

Romanian President and Austrian Chancellor confer on Schengen during Bucharest meeting Romanian President and Austrian Chancellor confer on Schengen during Bucharest meeting
In the backdrop of the European People's Party (EPP) congress, Romania's President Klaus Iohannis engaged in discussions with Austrian Chancellor...
Read More...

NATO unveils 'Nordic Response' with massive military exercises

 NATO unveils 'Nordic Response' with massive military exercises NATO unveils 'Nordic Response' with massive military exercises
In a display of strength and solidarity, NATO has launched its largest military exercises since 1952, marking the first participation of new...
Read More...

Far-right Vlaams Belang surges in Belgian polls

Far-right Vlaams Belang surges in Belgian polls Far-right Vlaams Belang surges in Belgian polls
With Belgian elections looming in June, the far-right party Vlaams Belang is witnessing a historic surge, polling just under 28 percent in...
Read More...

Sweden officially joins NATO as Hungary grants approval

Sweden officially joins NATO as Hungary grants approval Sweden officially joins NATO as Hungary grants approval
In a significant geopolitical development, Sweden has gained approval to become the 32nd member of the NATO military alliance, marking a blow...
Read More...

Munich Security Conference: Netherlands and US reaffirm support for Ukraine

Munich Security Conference: Netherlands and US reaffirm support for Ukraine Munich Security Conference: Netherlands and US reaffirm support for Ukraine
  During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference, outgoing Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte...
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Dutch NATO contribution could double without U.S., says Defense Minister

Dutch NATO contribution could double without U.S., says Defense Minister Dutch NATO contribution could double without U.S., says Defense Minister
Outgoing Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren warned that the Netherlands might need to double its defense spending if the United States were to...
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The European Parliament has moved to tighten access for diplomats from Qatar and Morocco in response to the Qatargate scandal, in which the countries were alleged to have

bribed MEPs for influence. A new set of guidelines, approved by leading MEPs in a behind-closed-doors meeting and seen by Politico, urged MEPs and staffers to request Parliament’s permission to invite the countries’ diplomats onto the premises. Lawmakers are also required to inform Parliament President Roberta Metsola whenever they meet them. While the guidelines are not binding, they are designed to clarify the state of play for MEPs, and give Metsola and top civil servants better oversight about who is meeting whom, amid an ongoing criminal investigation in Belgium into whether MEPs took bribes from Qatar and Morocco.

The four-page document, marked “for internal use only,” also restricts MEPs from taking official trips to Qatar or Morocco while the criminal probe continues. However, MEPs may attend international events hosted by the countries, such as the Union of the Mediterranean parliamentary assembly, a format bringing together 44 parliaments including the EU’s, currently presided over by the Moroccan parliament.

Additionally, the document also outlines guidelines for how MEPs should engage with Russia, Belarus, China and Iran. The toughest-worded guidelines are for Russia and Belarus, countries being sanctioned by the EU, with MEPs banned from any official trips to these countries while the invasion of Ukraine is still happening, and no state representatives can enter Parliament. However, there is an exception in which “the President may grant access to the Parliament’s premises with a view to enhancing diplomatic efforts to end the war”. On China and Iran, the countries’ own parliamentarians are not to be invited to the European Parliament, and trips by MEPs to China and Iran will only be authorized if a sanctioned MEP is part of the travelling cohort.

The new guidelines also ban Qatari and Moroccan lobbyists who have logged themselves in the transparency register from Parliament’s grounds “as a precautionary measure in light of ongoing proceedings”. However, the effect of this measure is minor because the guidelines only apply to lobbyists who voluntarily declare that their clients are from Qatar or Morocco in the register.

Although the new guidelines are not binding, they may be formalized in the future. Metsola’s spokesperson has said: “We’re trying to put a bit more order into the Parliament and codify things”.

deneme