Tag: European Union
Hey everybody! How was you first workweek of 2016? I hope it was better than mine. This is now officially the longest time with no posts at all on the blog, except for all the Sunday Smacks. Which obviously is a must, missing a week would feel like breaking a circle or something – this is now the 143th Sunday Smack and this is really saying something. Even though I had lots of plans for 2016 (with the blog and a lot else), I am just not there right now. Actually, if there ever was a time when I would…
A promise, now overdue, but better late than never. I will post my review of the general debate in two parts and of miscellaneous events of the 70th session of the UN General Assembly so far in a third. This year I followed more speeches than in previous years, as the refugee crisis in Europe puts many countries in the spotlight that otherwise would not be of interest in terms of world affairs. The theme of the general debate of the 70th session was „The United Nations at 70 – a new commitment to action”, but besides the theme, the…
Happy weekend, everybody! Fall has undeniably arrived, according to the calendar and to the weather as well. The past days were incredibly gloomy in Hungary. These are very exciting times in world affairs, though, look! I will do my best to keep you updated on the events of UN week in the coming days, so stay tuned! Now, here is your round up for this week. 5 Big Stories that Will Drive the Agenda During UN Week Next week is UN Week! It has already started actually with the Sustainable Development summit this Friday, but the general debate starts tomorrow…
Happy Sunday everybody, lots of world affairs to blab about these days… As things aren’t getting any better around Hungary, the Office of the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights issued statements on its Facebook page both in Hungarian and in English, emphasizing that seeking asylum cannot be viewed as a crime. Unfortunately, as of 15 September, in Hungary, it is. At courts along the southern borders asylum seekers are now being prosecuted for entering Hungary illegally. Hopeful though, there are plenty of Hungarian lawyers who are ready to protest against the new laws, calling themselves Lawyers for the rule…
I do not want to create any illusions that the refugee crisis will be over any time soon. It will not. But pushing back boats from piers, setting fire to refugee camps, or turning a blind eye to poor and helpless people: that is not Europe. Europe is the baker in Kos who gives away his bread to hungry and weary souls. Europe is the students in Munich and in Passau who bring clothes for the new arrivals at the train station. Europe is the policeman in Austria who welcomes exhausted refugees upon crossing the border. This is the Europe…
We will not face this unprecedented crisis with single approaches, not with single approaches of single Member States, not with one policy only – be it internal or external. We need a mix of measures and we need most of all Europe to act, fast, in solidarity and taking responsibility. And maybe, finally, we are about to understand that this is not something we can take the luxury of postponing anymore, on all the different issues we have to take decisions on. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini on 3/9/15 following an informal meeting of…
Happy last summer weekend, everybody! I just got back from the beach, as there is a heatwave affecting Hungary again, but I hope you are all enjoying every bit of these last summer moments! As always this time of the year, I am half sad – as summer is my favorite season and I love the hot weather, half excited – as things are revving up after the long weeks of fun and rest and vacation. September is the most exciting time of year, I was actually surprised to find this to be true even when it’s not about school…
Happy Sunday, everybody! I hope this post finds you all enjoying this one of the final summer weekends of this year. When you are reading this, I am spending my last day at the beautiful Croatian coasts (probably in the clear waters of the Adriatic sea, since this post is pre-scheduled), tomorrow we are heading back home (and to life, and to work). I don’t even try again to insert a photo here (Tumblr app needs some improvement!), check out my Instagram to get a picture (or more) of how and where I spent the days this post was created….
The Law of the European Union: An Introduction by Europa Institute at Leiden Law School on Coursera This online course was the one out of all I took yet, that was closest to taking an actual university course, even without taking the signature track. I jumped at it with the expectation that it is going to be sort of a refreshing session for me, since I have studied European public law quite thoroughly during my law studies. I was wrong, because I really had to work to keep up. The course material consisted of video lectures again interrupted by check…
Happy weekend, everybody! I am being absent from here lately despite all my plans for great posts. I am somewhat busy at work currently and there are those studies I have written about. And then there is summer too, with all kinds of summer things to do! But I’ll really try to do my best to post more. Now, here’s your not-to-be-missed Sunday reading: The Legal and Political Feasibility of the EU’s Planned ‘War on Smuggling’ in Libya Alright then, stop the boats, but will it help those refugees willing to risk their lives to come to Europe? No, it…
