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In today's edition: Venture Capital, Snus tax, German Pharmacy Reform

Au Tchad, les députés ont adopté une révision de la Constitution qui allonge la durée du mandat présidentiel de 5 à 7 ans, renouvelable sans limitation. Dénoncé par l'opposition, le texte doit encore être validé par le Congrès. Ce changement est-il nécessaire ? Vos réactions nous intéressent !

Election of the Presidents of Chambers of the General Court of the European Union

Az Európai Unió Törvényszéke tanácselnökeinek megválasztása

Élection des présidents de chambre du Tribunal de l’Union européenne

Wahl der Kammerpräsidenten des Gerichts der Europäischen Union

Une vive tension a marqué la plénière du conseil communal de la commune Annexe à Lubumbashi, mardi 16 septembre, à la suite de l’interpellation de la bourgmestre Mireille Kileshe. Cette dernière est accusée de mauvaise gestion et de détournement présumé des fonds issus de la redevance minière, des accusations portées par des membres du conseil municipal.

597576 Wilhelmina Hindström

Finland today chaired its first meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), outlining the priorities it will pursue in the months ahead. Support for Ukraine, Finland emphasized, will remain a cross-cutting priority at the heart of its work.

Antti Häkkänen, Finland’s Minister of Defence, addressed the meeting as he outlined the country’s priorities as FSC Chair.

“What is on the line here is not only the fundamental rights of Ukraine as a sovereign country, but also the future of European security and the integrity of the international order. By standing with Ukraine, we also uphold the principles of the OSCE and send a message to anyone posing a threat to international peace and security,” said Häkkänen.

Finland’s programme builds on themes advanced during its current OSCE Chairpersonship, with a continued focus on strengthening resilience and comprehensive security.

“The FSC serves as a vital platform for promoting accountability. It is essential that we continue to hold Russia responsible for its breaches of international law. In doing so, we reaffirm our shared commitment to the principles of international peace and security,” Häkkänen added.

Upcoming discussions will examine how co-operation between civil society and armed forces can reinforce national defence, particularly in light of today’s complex challenges.

Another priority will be addressing sexual and gender-based violence as a weapon of war, emphasizing the importance of international humanitarian law and accountability, including the responsibility of commanders to prevent and respond to such crimes.

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, Finland will also lead a reflection on the enduring significance of its principles for co-operative security across the OSCE region.

The Women, Peace and Security agenda will remain central to Finland’s efforts as FSC Chair. Ensuring women’s meaningful participation in security policy and of integrating gender perspectives into the OSCE’s work will be key elements for achieving sustainable peace.

597537 Maid Konjhodžić Edita Buçaj

Prishtinë / Priština, 12 September 2025  

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and emergency preparedness, the OSCE Mission donated 11 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to the Kosovo Police to support life-saving interventions in critical situations.

AEDs are essential medical devices that can significantly increase survival rates during sudden cardiac arrest, a condition where every second is crucial. Police officers, often the first on the scene of emergencies, will now have immediate access to this vital equipment.

The AEDs will be strategically placed across police facilities, including the Kosovo Special Police Unit, ensuring officers are equipped to respond quickly and effectively.

“Equipping police stations with life-saving AEDs is a vital step toward faster emergency response,” said Bertram Welsing, Director of the Department for Security and Public Safety at the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. “These devices not only enhance the safety of the public but also protect the health of police officers who serve communities daily.”

Building on last year’s support, the OSCE Mission, together with the EULEX Medical Unit, provided the training for trainers for ten Kosovo Police officers to become trainers in Basic Life Support (BLS) and AED use this August. An additional group of ten officers will be trained as BLS/AED trainers later this month, ensuring sustainable knowledge transfer within the police force.

“Supporting the Kosovo Police Department for Medical Services with professional AEDs and comprehensive training is essential for both police personnel and the wider community,” said Colonel Hilmi Pacolli, Director of Kosovo Police Personnel and Administration. “By certifying trainers within the police, we are strengthening emergency preparedness across the force.”

This initiative represents a significant advancement toward a safer, more responsive police service in Kosovo. Enhanced emergency response capacity means the Kosovo Police are better positioned to protect lives when every second counts.

The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the EU Military Staff (EUMS) have begun consultations with Member States for the next Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the EU’s ‘State of the Union’ in defence. The report, due next year, will provide a detailed overview of Member States’ goals, plans and projects. It will highlight trends in spending and planning, and identify gaps and collaborative defence initiatives with the greatest potential impact. It aims to inform decision-making at both national and EU levels. 

Europe’s defence posture relies on striking a careful balance: meeting urgent operational needs while pursuing long-term strategic objectives. 

Belgium was the first of the 27 Member States to be consulted. During the discussions, EDA analysed Belgium’s plans and priorities and discussed the Belgian perspective within the wider European context. These consultations offer first-hand insights into how national strategies contribute to EU defence and provide a platform to explore collaboration that avoids duplication and strengthens interoperability – the ability of armed forces, systems, equipment and technologies to work together.  

Ultimately, CARD helps Member States bring coherence to the EU defence landscape and improve the efficiency of defence spending. 

Ready for November 2026  

The next consultation will take place this week in Ireland, and with all other Member States over the coming months.  

Once complete, the findings will be compiled by next May. Political recommendations will serve as a reference for current and future defence initiatives and inform decisions on joint investment priorities, including Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) projects. 

This is the fourth CARD cycle, building on previous reviews to track trends and propose concrete measures for cooperation. Updated assessment criteria will help identify opportunities for joint initiatives addressing short-, mid- and long-term military needs. Final recommendations will be submitted in the CARD report to the EDA Steering Board in November 2026. 

EDA’s wider role 

EDA supports its 27 Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency serves as the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks covering the whole spectrum of defence capabilities. 

Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. For more details, please see www.eda.europa.eu 

Interroge sur ses liens avec la Chine, Jean-Luc Melenchon riposte en ciblant nos journalistes. Ses arguments trahissent sa veritable ideologie...

Le premier ministre soudanais Kamel Idris effectue une visite officielle de trois jours à Riyad en Arabie Saoudite depuis lundi 15 septembre. La visite, d’une grande importance pour le Soudan, vise à relancer les relations entre les deux pays et va tenter de rapprocher Riyad de son point de vue, dans la guerre qui l’oppose aux paramilitaires. Riyad, en revanche, a les yeux rivés sur les opportunités économiques.

Traditionnellement, les présidents américains qui effectuent un second mandat ne sont invités qu'à prendre le thé ou à déjeuner avec le monarque britannique.

DÉCRYPTAGE - À rebours de l’électorat libéral qu’elle entend conquérir, Marine Le Pen assume de vouloir faire participer les «plus hauts revenus» à l’effort budgétaire national.

La Commission européenne présente ce mercredi 17 septembre un train de sanctions contre Israël. Ces mesures, que sa présidente, Ursula von der Leyen elle-même juge peu susceptibles d’aboutir et ne soutient pas vraiment, semblent avant tout motivées par des considérations politiques.

The post Sanctions de l’UE contre Israël : le pari risqué d’Ursula von der Leyen appeared first on Euractiv FR.

In today's edition: Ominibus, EPPO, origin labels

Dans l'édition d'aujourd'hui : Ursula von der Leyen déclare que l'UE proposera une élimination plus rapide de l'énergie russe, les eurodéputés se préparent à voter la levée de l'immunité de leur collègue italienne Ilaria Salis, la Commission s'apprête à dévoiler un nouvel « agenda stratégique » avec l'Inde.

The post Sanctions contre Israël : Ursula von der Leyen renvoie la balle à Berlin appeared first on Euractiv FR.

Dans le cadre de ses consultations politiques, Sébastien Lecornu va rencontrer Marine Le Pen. Pour éviter la censure, Edwige Diaz, vice-présidente du Rassemblement National, députée de Gironde et invitée de Mardi politique, réaffirme que le Premier ministre "devra prendre en compte les demandes du RN sur l’immigration ou la contribution de la France à l’UE". Son parti se rend à ce rendez-vous "sans illusion" et continue de demander une dissolution de l’Assemblée nationale.

La zone dite « des trois frontières », proche du Burkina Faso et du Mali, fait face à des attaques récurrentes de groupes djihadistes, que la junte arrivée au pouvoir il y a deux ans peine à endiguer.

VIENNA, 17 September 2025 – Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, who heads Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will be outlining the country’s priorities as the incoming OSCE Chair-in-Office for 2026 on Thursday, 18 September 2025.

In his presentation to the OSCE Permanent Council, Councillor Cassis will outline Switzerland’s priorities. By assuming the Chairpersonship of the OSCE, Switzerland is fulfilling its responsibility for peace and security in Europe and emphasizing the importance of dialogue, inclusion, and co-operation in managing crises and conflicts. This is consistent with the objectives set out in its Foreign Policy Strategy 2024–2027.

Follow the Federal Councillor’s remarks by joining us online tomorrow, 18 September at 10:00 (CEST) at osce.org/live.

Please note that the remarks will be delivered in French, however the text of the remarks as delivered in English will be made available here following the meeting.

Switzerland will take over the OSCE Chairpersonship from Finland on 1 January 2026 with Federal Councillor Cassis serving as OSCE Chair-in-Office. The Chairpersonship programme will be presented in January 2026.