European Union

China hit back on 21 June after US President Joe Biden referred to President Xi Jinping as a "dictator", saying the remarks were absurd and a provocation, in an unexpected spat immediately following efforts by both sides to lower tensions.

Ireland’s recent decision to systematically display preventive health messages on bottles of alcohol has crystallised tensions, with European doctors and wine lobbies pitted against each other. By May 22, 2026, wines and spirits sold in Ireland will be required to...

Espionage, illegitimate influence peddling, disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks increased in Germany in 2022, with activities mainly linked to Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey, the report on the protection of the constitution published Tuesday (20 June) reads.

On 29 June, SEDE Members will participate in the workshop on 'The role of cyber in the Russian war against Ukraine: its impact and the consequences for the future of armed conflict'. The discussion will focus on the cyber dimension of the Russian war in Ukraine, assessing how cyber warfare can fit into conventional high-violence conflict.
The workshop will also provide an occasion to identify areas where the European Union needs to make further progress in countering malicious actions of authoritarian regimes across the whole spectrum of hybrid warfare.
Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has been accompanied by massive cyberattacks aimed at destroying strategic data, paralyzing critical infrastructure, inflicting maximum civilian and military damage and destabilizing the population. Russian cyberattacks have been targeting first Ukraine's infrastructure and public institutions, but increasingly also countries that support Ukraine. Sustained military efforts of the Ukrainian armed forces aimed at countering Russian cyberwar have been supported by a large number of volunteers planning and executing strikes on Russian cyber infrastructure, without direct involvement of the government.
Draft programme
Poster
Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

SEDE in association with the EXPO Policy Department organises a public workshop on 'The role of cyber in the Russian war against Ukraine: its impact and the consequences for the future of armed conflict' on Thursday, 29 June 2023 from 9.30 to 11.00hrs in room SPINELLI 1E2, with external experts.
The discussion will focus on the cyber dimension of the Russian war in Ukraine, assessing how cyber warfare can fit into conventional high-violence conflict. The workshop will also provide an occasion to identify areas where the European Union needs to make further progress in countering malicious actions of authoritarian regimes across the whole spectrum of hybrid warfare.
Location : SPINELLI 1E2
Draft programme
Poster
Source : © European Union, 2023 - EP

The number of refugees worldwide increased by 19 million in 2022 compared to the previous year, according to the UNHCR. Of these, 11.6 million were Ukrainians. The EU has just introduced tighter asylum laws, while Europeans are discussing the latest boat tragedy in the Mediterranean in which hundreds of migrants reportedly drowned. In Europe's press we see disillusionment and appeals to humanity.

The rescue operation in the search for the submersible vessel Titan in the North Atlantic is growing after the latter disappeared on Sunday on its way to the wreck of the Titanic. The oxygen on board is only expected to last until Thursday noon. On Tuesday, the US Coast Guard detected via sonar underwater noises that could potentially be signs of life. The five people on board are mostly wealthy tourists, and it had been known for some time that there were safety issues with the submersible.

Portuguese police have found 80 undocumented migrant youths, mostly from South America and Africa, living in prison-like conditions in a private football training centre. Mário Costa, president of the general assembly of the Portuguese Professional Football League, is now suspected of organising the trafficking of the young people. Commentators are outraged by this form of "promoting talent".

Despite her popularity, Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová will not run for a second five-year term next spring. She does not have the strength this would require, the president said explaining her decision. Is the country's stability under threat now?