11 February 2015
Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in the Juncker Commission, said on 10 February 2015 that: ‘We cannot allow other tragedies at sea in the coming weeks and months; we need to be able to give a strong political and operational response … I will convene an extraordinary meeting of the Commissioners’ Group on External Action in the coming days in order to discuss with the Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, a review of our policies. I’ve also decided to put a discussion on migration on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council soon. The fight against smuggling and trafficking, the rescue of migrants at sea, the protection of asylum seekers are shared challenges; they require a stronger exercise of shared responsibility.’
Source: EU External Action | Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on addressing the challenges of migration | Strasbourg, 10/02/2015
11 February 2015
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has urged European nations to ramp up search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea following the region’s first major maritime tragedy this year in which dozens of people perished, apparently from hypothermia. (more…)
Source: UN News Centre | UN calls for boosted search, rescue efforts as migrants die of hypothermia in Mediterranean
6 February 2015
The UN agency tasked with assisting Palestinian refugees across the Middle East announced that a major funding shortfall has forced the suspension of its cash assistance programme that would have helped families in Gaza repair their homes and provide rental subsidies to people left homeless after last year’s conflict.
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Source: UN News Centre | Lack of funds forces UN agency to halt Gaza programme for repairs to destroyed homes
30 January 2015
On 27 January, 28 EU leaders, including heads of state and foreign ministers, issued a joint statement in response to the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in Eastern Ukraine. (more…)
Source: The Wall Street Journal | EU Foreign Ministers Extend Targeted Sanctions on Russia
Source: The Economic Times | EU leaders threaten new Russia sanctions over Ukraine
29 January 2015
On 28 January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underlined that ‘The Lebanese government and the Assad regime share responsibility for the consequences of the attacks emanating from their territories against the State of Israel,’ the Jerusalem Post reports. (more…)
Source: The Jerusalem Post | Assad, Lebanon to blame for Hezbollah border attack on IDF soldiers, Netanyahu says
Source: The New York Times | Hezbollah Kills 2 Israeli Soldiers Near Lebanon
Source: The Telegram | Hezbollah attack kills Israeli soldiers near Lebanon