European Union

SEDE organized a public hearing on soldiers' rights in EU Member States with representatives of the European Organisation of Military Associations (EUROMIL) and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic control of Armed Forces (DCAF).
Location : Altiero Spinelli, room A3E-2
Further information
Draft programme
Presentation by Emmanuel Jacob, EUROMIL
Presentation by William McDermott, DCAF
Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

The EU heads of state and government gave the Brexit deal negotiated with Britain the green light on Sunday. Now it must gain the approval of the British and European parliaments. The politicians gathered in Brussels on the weekend displayed sadness, but also relief that an agreement had finally been reached after all the haggling. Is their solace justified?

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had threatened to block the Brexit deal until in the last minute the EU backed Madrid, agreeing that Gibraltar will be left out of all negotiations between the UK and the EU and any decisions will require Madrid's consent. But Spanish media are less than enthusiastic.

After a military incident in the Kerch Strait the Ukrainian parliament will vote today on whether to impose martial law. Russia had blocked Ukrainian ships from passing under the new Crimean bridge and Russian boats opened fire on and seized several Ukrainian military ships trying to pass through. Commentators explain what's at stake.

France's President Emmanuel Macron ordered on Friday that 26 works of art that were stolen by French colonial troops in 1892 in what is today the Republic of Benin should be given back. An expert report had recommended this as the first measure of a comprehensive restitution initiative. Now other countries are coming under pressure to follow suit, some commentators note approvingly. Others warn against rash actions.

For millions of women in Europe their home is a dangerous place. Domestic violence mainly affects women and is prevalent across the social spectrum. Prompted by the latest statistics or International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, media in many countries are honing in on the problem.