Egypt to receive over $6 Billion in aid from EU

 

A handout picture released by the Egyptian presidency shows Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi (R) and his foreign minister Mohamed Kamel Amr (L) meeting with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton (C) at the presidential palace in Cairo, on November 14, 2012. (AFP Photo)

Source: Russia Today

http://rt.com/news/eu-egypt-aid-billions-680/

The European Union has approved a US$6.3 billion financial aid package for Egypt. The news comes as Europe is paralyzed by a general strike and mass protests as people are tired of deepening recession and strangled by constant budget cuts.

­The European Investment Bank is to grant Egypt 2 billion euro ($2.55 billion), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development a further 2 billion euro and EU countries will also allocate a further 1 billion euro, the office of the Egyptian president said on Wednesday.

The statement was released after President Mohamed Morsi met with EU Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton.

Egypt is to sign a memorandum of understanding with IMF representatives for the loan this week. It is "a strong sign of EU's support for Egypt's path to development," the president said.

The Egyptian economy is still recovering after the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak in February 2011 and subsequent political turmoil.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people took to the streets across the EU to protest drastic austerity measures introduced by authorities to cope with the recession.

Spain and Portugal are facing general strikes, while Greece and Italy are seeing many walkouts. Millions of people from some 20 EU nations are expected to take part in the European Day of Action and Solidarity.

And as many Europeans are not happy to bail out struggling EU economies at a cost of their pensions and wages, the question is how they are going to react to paying Egyptian bills.

 

Serbia one step closer to EU membership

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/161821.html


Although some issues are still to be solved, such as reinforcing Belgrade's full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, this is a positive step on the path to EU membership.

Full cooperation with the International Crime Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and reintegration of refugees returning to Serbia from EU countries are only some issues MEPs would like to see resolved.

The executive director of Group 484, an organization that deals with refugee issues and the internally displaced says he believes it is necessary for Serbia to solve the refugee problems even though it might take some time.

Vladimir Pavlovic believes a stronger political will is essential if Serbia is to lift the existing barrier in the way of EU integration.

Pavlovic said he is optimistic about Serbia becoming a full EU member state but refused to speculate as to when the accession will take place.

According to Serbia's Foreign Minister, the diplomatic relations between Balkan countries are probably at their best since the beginning of the Yugoslav crisis, but there is still much work to be done, much more to be reformed, before Serbia can wave the EU flag.

Hungarians protest new media law

Hungarian protesters tape their mouths in protest against the new media law

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160222.html


Thousands of people in Hungary have taken to the streets to voice their opposition to the country's controversial new media law.

Hungarians are actively protesting in the second series of demonstrations in recent weeks against Prime Minister Viktor Orban's new media law.

According to the legislation, a new authority has the right to impose major fines on media outlets.

The legislation also has the right to require journalists to reveal their sources on national security issues.

The protests have been especially vehement among media and rights groups in Budapest.

Other European governments have criticized the legislation as well, claiming that it limits freedom of press.

After Orban's center-right Fidesz Party swept to victory in the April parliamentary elections, winning two-thirds of the vote, his government became powerful enough to easily change laws and even the Constitution.

As part of the reforms, the government set up a new watchdog to regulate media content and impose fines when rules are violated.

Hungary takes over EU presidency

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/158241.html


Hungary has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union amid criticisms against Budapest over adoption of a new law, which is said to restrict freedom of press.

"A transformation of incredible speed and depth is happening throughout the world; Europe must be able to stand in a much stronger global competition than ever before," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Saturday.

Most important of all, Hungary will oversee talks about EU budget for 2014-2020 amid the blocs' worsening debt crisis, AFP reported.

Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, European Parliament and countries such as Germany have criticized Budapest for enforcing a law, which they say, threatens the freedom of press in the country.

After Orban's center-right Fidesz Party swept victory in the parliamentary elections in April and won two-third of the votes, his government became powerful enough to easily change laws and even the Constitution.

As part of the reforms, the government set up a new watchdog to regulate media content and impose fines when rules are violated.

The body will have the right to inspect media equipment and documents and to force journalists to reveal sources on matters concerning national security.