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Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
EU council sanctions individuals, entities responsible for destabilising Moldova
BRUSSELS - The European Council said in a statement on Tuesday that it had imposed sanctions on seven individuals and three entities "responsible for actions aimed at destabilising" Moldova, whose leaders are bidding to join the EU by 2030. A statement by the Council said those targeted were close associates of Ilan Shor, a fugitive business magnate sentenced in absentia to 15 years in prison in connection with the 2014 disappearance of $1 billion from the Moldovan banking system. Shor lives in Russia, where he oversees the activities of the pro-Russian "Victory" bloc, accused by Moldovan authorities of illegally financing electoral activities in Moldova, which lies between Ukraine and Romania. The bloc was barred by the courts from participating in last year's Moldovan presidential election and referendum on Moldova's drive to join the European Union. Its leaders are barred from entering the EU and are subject to an asset freeze under the directive. The EU statement said some of the people listed "have been actively involved in vote buying schemes, in the context of the presidential elections and of the constitutional referendum on EU accession of 2024, and bribery to corrupt several politicians". Victoria Furtuna, leader of the Moldova Mare party and subject to the order, vowed to mount a legal challenge, saying groups in Brussels were "shamelessly and openly ...choosing on their own who is going to run our sovereign state". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Las Vegas Sands' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new Marina Bay development: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore CDL's long-time director Philip Yeo to depart after boardroom feud Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Life The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Two others on the list are pro-Russian lawmakers who have disappeared after being convicted on corruption charges. Pro-European President Maia Sandu, who has accused the Kremlin of trying to subvert her country, won re-election last year by a slim margin and a referendum endorsing her EU membership campaign also passed only narrowly. Moldovan police last year accused Shor of funnelling large sums illegally to voters ahead of the polls and Sandu said the vote-buying scheme had influenced the outcome of the votes. A poll published on Tuesday credited Sandu's Party of Action and Solidarity with 27.4% of voting intentions ahead of a September parliamentary election, compared to 10.4% for the pro-Russian opposition Socialists and 6.2% for the Victory bloc. REUTERS
LBCI
14 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
EU council sanctions Iran individuals over human rights violations
The European Council said in a statement on Tuesday it had imposed sanctions on eight people and one entity from Iran over "serious human rights violations" and "transnational repression." The statement said they are responsible for abuses on behalf of Iranian state bodies outside of Iran, in particular extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions and killings, as well as enforced disappearances of people deemed to be opponents of or critical of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Reuters
Al Arabiya
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
EU council sanctions Iran individuals over human rights violations
The European Council said in a statement on Tuesday it had imposed sanctions on eight people and one entity from Iran over 'serious human rights violations' and 'transnational repression.' The statement said they are responsible for abuses on behalf of Iranian state bodies outside of Iran, in particular extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions and killings, as well as enforced disappearances of people deemed to be opponents of or critical of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Developing
LeMonde
21 hours ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
In Srebrenica, 30 years after the genocide, the 'vicious circle' of denial continues
"Welcome to the Las Vegas of Bosnia, we attract at least as much attention [as the American city]." On Wednesday, July 9, the mayor of Srebrenica, Milos Vucic, displayed this peculiar sense of humor, two days before the July 11 commemorations marking the 30 th anniversary of the 1995 genocide in his city. This Bosnian Serb, who is also a cousin of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, said he would not participate in the ceremonies meant to honor the more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks killed in a matter of days by the forces of Serb General Ratko Mladic, in what is considered the worst massacre of civilians in Europe since the end of World War II. "I was not invited, and I do not see why I should go when my deputy [a Bosniak] isn't coming here," said the 37-year-old official during a small counter-ceremony he organized in a predominantly Serb neighborhood of his municipality. Decorated with Serbian flags and set to the Serbian national anthem, the event was dedicated solely to Serb victims of the war, which claimed around 100,000 lives overall between 1992 and 1995. "Serbs were killed in much more horrific ways than the Bosniaks, for example by decapitation, as seen in certain Muslim countries, but have you ever read anything about them in the international press?" Vucic exclaimed, criticizing what he described as a "double standard" from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which convicted Mladic of genocide in 2021. It mattered little that the Serb victims commemorated on Wednesday by a few dozen Serbs gathered around the mayor of Srebrenica did not die on that precise date, or that the local commander of the Bosniak forces, whom they accuse of being responsible for their deaths, has been systematically acquitted by international and Bosnian courts. The main objective was to stage a counter-event ahead of July 11, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people this year. Several senior European officials, such as European Council President Antonio Costa and French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, are expected to attend in this eastern Balkan town.
JAMnews
2 days ago
- Business
- JAMnews
EU investments in Armenia to reach €2.5 billion: meeting in Brussels
EU investments in Armenia Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is on a working visit to Brussels. He has already met with President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. According to the communiqué adopted following the meeting, the EU and Armenia 'reaffirmed their deepening partnership.' Within this framework, EU investments in Armenia are expected to reach up to €2.5 billion. This concerns Armenia's participation in the 'Global Gateway' strategy. In addition, the joint statement notes that 'to support Armenia's information ecosystem,' the EU will allocate €1.5 million to strengthen independent media. Pashinyan commented on the meeting on social media. On his Facebook page, he wrote that a 'productive and substantive discussion' took place with his European colleagues. Everything known about the negotiations in Brussels, as well as commentary from the chair of the European Party of Armenia, Tigran Khzmalyan. He believes that the EU expects more decisive steps from the Armenian authorities towards the West. The new EU-Armenia partnership agenda is welcomed 'President Costa and President von der Leyen welcomed Armenia's ambitious reform agenda and expressed their support for Armenia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democratic reforms. The leaders welcomed the recent political agreement on the text of the EU-Armenia New Partnership Agenda, a key milestone in their shared commitment to deepening ties,' the communiqué states. The participants also noted progress in the visa liberalisation process. The statement 'welcomes' the Armenian parliament's adoption of the law 'On initiating the process of the Republic of Armenia's accession to the EU.' EU will continue to provide financial support to Armenia The EUR 270 million Resilience and Growth Plan, announced in April 2024, boosted EU funding to Armenia by 50%. With EUR 200 million in grant assistance and EUR 70 million in grant funding to leverage investments, it continues to support Armenia's socio-economic reform agenda, closer sectoral cooperation, and investments in energy, transport, and the private sector,' European partners stated. They reaffirmed their commitment to support Armenia's resilience and development 'through substantial financial and technical assistance.' 'Crossroads of peace' and regional cooperation EU representatives also addressed the Armenian government's proposal to unblock regional communications: 'EU reaffirmed its support for Armenia's Crossroads of Peace initiative, to promote regional connectivity and reconciliation.' António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen particularly highlighted Armenia's efforts to establish stability in the South Caucasus. They welcomed the Armenian government's readiness for peace talks with Azerbaijan and the normalisation of relations with Turkey. 'The leaders also underlined the importance of the possibility to include Armenia's in the European Union's regional and economic initiatives, particularly within the framework of the Black Sea Strategy,' the communiqué said. European partners thanked Armenia for its close cooperation and the steps it has taken to prevent sanctions circumvention. They agreed with the Armenian prime minister to continue joint efforts in this direction. Armenia-EU security cooperation Security cooperation was also discussed during the Brussels meeting. Participants welcomed the launch of EU-Armenia consultations on security and defence matters, stressing their 'shared commitment to peace, stability, and democratic resilience'. 'Addressing a range of security concerns, including foreign information manipulation and interference, disinformation, and cyber threats, the EU proposed to work together with Armenia to assess its needs, identify priority areas for cooperation, and leverage available EU instruments,' the joint statement said. EU Commissioner for Enlargement to visit Armenia soon Prime Minister Pashinyan also met with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos. According to the prime minister's office, they discussed programmes being implemented in Armenia using EU financial tools. Pashinyan underlined the importance of EU support for: Armenia's economic diversification, transport and infrastructure development, expanding the capabilities of small and medium-sized businesses, introducing EU standards. 'Reference was made to the programs implemented by the Armenian Government to address the social problems of people forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. Prime Minister Pashinyan highlighted the importance of the international community's continued support in this direction,' read a post-meeting statement shared with media. Marta Kos expressed the EU's support for Armenia's ambitious democratic reform agenda and stated her intention to visit Armenia soon 'for more detailed discussions on joint programmes and initiatives'. Comment Chairman of the European Party of Armenia, Tigran Khzmalyan, believes that 'the EU is trying to get answers from Pashinyan' — which, in his view, was the main purpose behind the Armenian prime minister's visit to Brussels: 'Aliyev is backed by Turkey, the entire Islamic world, the Arab world, and Pakistan, whereas Armenia is backed by no one. Armenia has lost its former allies [referring to Russia and members of the CSTO], who turned out not to be allies at all, but enemies. And over these 7 years, it hasn't acquired any new ones. That is precisely why Europe is calling on Armenia. The logic is simple — almost like a law of physics: when something disappears from a space, something else fills it. Which country is filling this region in Russia's absence? Turkey. Why have we [pro-Western political forces] insisted for years that Armenia should become a member of the EU? Because we know that, just as it was 100 years ago, Russia will inevitably be pushed out as a result of geopolitical processes. Who can fill that vacuum in terms of power, economy, military, and political-military presence? Obviously, Turkey will be the primary candidate — unless Armenia joins the Euro-Atlantic alliance. And that is what's happening now. But a hundred days after the law [on initiating Armenia's EU accession process] was passed by the National Assembly, Armenian authorities declared their intention to join not the EU, but the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen invited Pashinyan to clarify: we sent Kaja Kallas [the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy]. You welcomed her warmly. But two days later, your foreign minister travelled to Beijing and spoke about Armenia joining the Shanghai bloc. Now you want to talk to Turkey and Azerbaijan only in a bilateral format. Who will support you? What makes you so sure you won't be wiped out? That question is in the air. And even if European diplomats don't ask it openly, we [local pro-Western political forces] are obligated to.' Follow us – Twitter | Facebook | Instagram EU investments in Armenia
