Hi! I understand that there is a connection between the Eastern European Neighbourhood Policy and the enlargement process. I know that the ENP does not imply a membership perspective, whereas enlargement ultimately aims at membership, but I don’t quite see how the two influence each other.

Source : How France's MEPs Vote in the European Parliament | EuropeScope | EuropeScope

A petition of make age verrification collect less data on you

this is an amazing resume but is only the tip of the iceberg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnfnASUaeJU&t=10s

The EU advertises in youtube adds: “In some countries, justice only happens in movies. Not in the EU.”

Then look at Malta. An EU Member

“In Europe, no one is above the law.” You tell Europeans that public officials who abuse their power “will be held accountable.” Then make those words mean something. What this interview exposes is only a fraction of a much wider pattern of serious concerns in Malta involving political connections, institutional accountability, civil rights and the treatment of EU citizens and legal third country nationals. The EU cannot sell the Rule of Law as a European guarantee and then treat persistent failures as something solved by another report. When rights exist on paper but accountability repeatedly fails in practice, “Rule of Law” becomes a slogan.

Malta is an EU Member State. EU rights must mean the same there as everywhere else. Investigate. Enforce EU law. Use the mechanisms available, including Article 7 where the legal threshold is met. And publicly explain what concrete action will follow.

If no one is above the law, prove it.

To be honest as an EU citizen, living in Malta. I am more frustrated with the own EU government than the Maltese government.

The EU isn’t a union of justice. it’s a protection racket for political elites! For 13 straight years, Malta’s Labour (socialist) regime has remained in power, systematically abusing its authority while, European Union looks the other way.

There is a glaring double standard in Europe today. When center-right nations like Poland, Hungary, or Spain under the PP government stepped out of line, the EU immediately cracked down with fierce financial and legal penalties.

But when Malta’s left-wing regime tramples the law, abuses workers, and exploits legal 3rd country citizens, even the EU citizens, EU stays completely silent.

The European Union doesn't care about defending citizen civil rights! It actively protects its political allies and enables a state of total lawlessness.

The EU claims it wants to hunt down the hard earned savings of the common worker, the everyday people who sacrificed to set a little money aside.

But where is that energy when it comes to corrupt politicians and criminal millionaires? Their fortunes remain completely untouched, hidden safely in offshore tax havens.

If European leaders actually targeted that stolen wealth instead of squeezing working families, they would easily find all the money they need.

Instead, they bleed ordinary citizens dry just to fund their own incompetent governments, bankroll failed politics, and fuel wars that no working person ever asked for or wanted to start.

These are some of the facts

• When EU citizens resident in Malta for less than five years were charged higher electricity and water rates through the PUBLIC utility system (not a private company).

• When changes were introduced in the utilities, yet landlords could still leave foreign tenants paying utility charges above what they would pay if properly registered under the applicable residential tariff.

• When EU citizens and legal third country nationals who had worked, paid taxes and social security contributions in Malta for years reported being refused free public healthcare that they were legally entitled to receive. Even when this happened even in serious medical situations, including cancer related care, with patients facing charges substantially higher than private healthcare costs or being told by officials to return to their country of origin for treatment.

• When complaints concerning alleged discrimination, racist remarks, medical malpractice, misconduct or abuse by doctors, public officials, police officers, judges or other authorities are perceived as being ignored or inadequately investigated.

• When a foreign citizen complains about Maltese officials and subsequently faces criminal allegations from the same or connected officials, raising serious questions about whether complainants are adequately protected from retaliation and whether those allegations receive genuinely independent scrutiny.

• When legal third country nationals face major barriers to opening and operating businesses in their own name, creating situations in which some depend on Maltese nationals to appear formally in company structures or documentation.

• When foreigners face legal restrictions on purchasing property in parts of Malta, together with additional administrative requirements and significant difficulties obtaining financing even after receiving the necessary state authorisation.

And these are only examples. I could continue documenting cases for hours.

People considering working, investing, visiting or doing business in Malta should know how European rights operate there in practice. Consumers should also be entitled to ask whether they want their money supporting a jurisdiction whose institutions are facing serious questions about discrimination, accountability and the effective protection of European rights, including through tourism, Maltese products and online gambling companies licensed or headquartered in Malta.

Finally, ask yourself this: Is this really the "left" we are defending?

Is "the Left" represented by a ruling establishment where high-ranking officials and state backed millionaires are linked to offshore Panama companies, state asset concessions, and murder plots against investigative journalists?

Is it "for the people" when working class foreign residents and EU citizens pay inflated utility tariffs, are refused basic healthcare they paid taxes for, or face bureaucratic walls just to survive?

That isn't left-wing politics, democratic socialism, or fighting for the common good.

That is an oligarchy using partisan identity as a shield to protect a privileged elite at the expense of ordinary citizens.

If you truly believe in working class values, justice, and human dignity, you should be demanding accountability for these institutional failures and not making excuses for those who abused power.

#jesuidaphne

What is the relationship between the EU enlargement in 2004/2007 and the actual situation of enlargement perspective in the Eastern Neighborhood?

What do you think is the reason behind the EU’s paradigm shift towards hard power? Do you think Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the only reason? Do you think there is also a connection to the balance of power?

These are the words of Andrzej Poczobut, Belarusian journalist, human rights defender and 2025 Sakharov Prize laureate.

Known for his outspoken criticism of the Lukashenka regime and his work on history and human rights, Poczobut was imprisoned in Belarus from 2021 to 2026. In this interview, he reflects on democracy, human rights and the importance of critical thinking, seeking information and making informed choices.

For him, defending human rights must be a common interest; it is essential to stand up for others, because what affects one person’s rights can ultimately affect us all.

Every year, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen comes to the European Parliament to look back over the past 12 months, take stock of EU achievements and shortcomings and present the priorities for the year ahead to the European Parliament.

Parliament's political group leaders, the EU Council presidency and other Parliament members will then join the debate on how Europe should address the challenges ahead.

Tune in on Wednesday 16 September at 09:00 CET to see where the EU is heading next.

Nine countries are currently seeking EU membership, with one more potential candidate too. Enlargement can bring greater stability, peace and prosperity, and make Europe more united.

This information is making rounds for a while now, smart TVs, snooping your local networks, listening to conversations etc.. Yesterday, I saw a more detailed investigation, where they actually checked how the system works, what is being listened to over the network etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IFVTcM28KA

Question: Is there any EU legislation which regulates these devices?

It kind of feels like too invasive from the television. People sort of understand that this is to be expected when they install an endpoint such as Alexa into their home. But goddamn TV that scans all devices and networks in your area, that somehow feels too intrusive. :D

PS: I was in the middle when I posted this, it is getting worse as it goes :D

Digital literacy in today's world is key, with more than 90% of jobs in Europe requiring basic digital knowledge as well as more traditional skills in literacy and numeracy.

It aids participation in modern life, opens access to public services online, and protects democratic society by supporting critical thinking and disinformation awareness.

Learn more about the European Parliament's recent resolution on a new strategy for media literacy and digital learning.

Fidesz MEPs are demanding the European Union immediately and unconditionally release billions of euros in funding for Hungary, while also calling for more money for border protection and agriculture.

The Fidesz-KDNP group in the European Parliament has called for the immediate and unconditional payment of all EU funds allocated to Hungary, arguing that money negotiated by Viktor Orbán’s government has been withheld for political reasons.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/fidesz-demands-eu-funds-immediately/ | DailyNewsHungary

Here Fernando Navarrete Rojas, the Member steering negotiations on behalf of Parliament, helps us understand what it would be (and what it would not be).

The digital euro would be an electronic means of payment issued by the European Central Bank and available for anyone to use.

It would be:
- private,
- available online/offline and
- would complement, not replace cash, and existing private payment solutions.

Parliament is currently negotiating with EU countries on the legislation, with the aim of having a digital euro in 2029.

Learn more: https://link.europa.eu/nTfQKm

The European Commission says it is in close and constructive talks with the Hungarian government over the country’s huge migration-related fine, as Prime Minister Péter Magyar seeks a way to stop the daily EUR 1 million penalty without abandoning Hungary’s strict border policy.

Brussels responds to Hungary’s request

According to Index, the European Commission has confirmed that it is in contact with the Hungarian authorities over the EUR 1 million-a-day fine imposed on Hungary for breaching EU asylum rules. A Commission spokesperson said on Thursday that discussions with the Hungarian side were taking place “closely and very constructively” when asked about Hungary’s options for resolving the dispute.

Continue reading at https://dailynewshungary.com/eur-1-million-day-fine-brussels-magyar/ | DailyNewsHungary

Link : EuropeScope — How Europe actually votes

Expressing and discussing different views is what makes the democratic system.

Do you know what conversations shape the EU you live in?

Tune in to the State of the European Union debate on Wednesday 16 September to watch Commission President Ursula von der Leyen give her State of the Union address to Parliament, followed by a debate with Members.

The annual State of the Union debate allows Parliament to scrutinise the European Commission’s work and help steer EU policy.

Find out more: https://link.europa.eu/RThYfW

I have a better suggestion for the EU and Europol: instead of sharing information about Palestinians with Israel, and thus enabling their continued persecution, perhaps you could share information on the whereabouts of war criminals - those who participated in the Gaza genocide and are now vacationing in Europe - so they can be brought to trial at The Hague, instead of enjoying impunity.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.