Playing from 01:03:36 open.spotify.com/episode/4rXp... De kroon op weekend reflectie: @jorisluyendijk.bsky.social met persoonlijke noot: ‘democratie heeft mensen nodig die zo neutraal mogelijk zijn [journalistiek] mijn meerwaarde ligt nu in het juist wel partij kiezen, werken aan wat ik zelf denk’

Playing from 43:31 open.spotify.com/episode/37A0... Prachtig interview met Robert Serry, ik ga zijn boek zeker lezen. En dan het persoonlijke: ‘Toen Putin op 24 Feb Ukraine binnenviel, Is er bij mij een knop omgegaan…Toen wilde ik niet meer die crisis diplomaat zijn en ben ik Ukraine gaan helpen…’

Ali Vaez: ‘Two things made Revolutionary Guard >powerful than ever 1)Yrs max pressure sanctions ->enrich RG: controlling black markets, smuggling networks, circumvent sanctions 2)removal SL Khamenei to whom RG was subordinate. New SL owes position to RG From 2nd >powerful force to pinnacle of power’

The EU recognises Egypt’s indispensable role as an anchor of stability in the Middle East through our Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership @euinegypt.bsky.social

www.arab-reform.net/publication/... ‘Externally designed “new Middle East” ultimately collides w/local political realities. Israel experienced this: Lebanon 1982. US: Iraq. Military power can redraw alliances, alter balances, temporarily mute demands, but not erase demands 4 dignity agency, justice’

The UN General Assembly adopted resolution “Supporting lasting peace in Ukraine” with 107 ‘yes’, 12 ‘no’, 51 ‘abstentions’. Last year was 93, 15, 65. Today is a clear signal in support of Ukraine’s call for an immediate & unconditional ceasefire, just & lasting peace, international law, UN Charter.

بعثة الاتحاد الأوروبي لدى مصر بتهنيكم بحلول شهر رمضان المبارك . وكل عام وأنتم بخير.🌙 #RamadanKareem

Sincere congratulations to all Cabinet Members of the next PM Madbouly government. The European Union looks forward to work with respective Ministers & dep to strengthen our EU #Egypt Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership. A heartfelt thank you to the outgoing Ministers. x.com/egyptnews_fr...

Yes. The EU institutions work - non stop.

Alweer zo’n goeie aflevering: over Big Tech, Project 2025, Palentir, Gleichschaltung i.e. the act, process, or policy of achieving rigid, total coordination + uniformity (in politics, culture, communication) by forcibly repressing /eliminating independence & freedom of thought, action, expression…

FAC: ‘The overdue reopening of the Rafah Crossing Point between will be the clearest sign of progress yet. EU personnel is ready. EUPOL COPPS can play a key role in training Palestinian police. Ultimately, the security of Gaza must lie in the hands of Palestinians’ www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/foreign...

Duidend en helder : ‘kijk en zeg eerlijk hoe de wereld in elkaar zit… wat willen we waar doen… het dringt moeilijk door wat er echt aan de hand is…vraag is ‘willen we helemaal worden opgevreten door roofdierstaten of niet’’ Dank @jorisluyendijk.bsky.social

2025 Summits : EU deepening partnerships across the globe w/> 60% of @un.org family – Western Balkans, South Africa, Central Asia, United Kingdom, Canada, Moldova, Japan, China, Egypt, CELAC, African Union, Jordan, and now India. Our engagement & outreach is stronger than ever @consilium.europa.eu

Below in German. I read EN version, would really recommend versions in Arabic Chinese Russian. @sarotte.bsky.social’s ‘Not One Inch’ describes in detail the phases of NATO east expansion, and as such effectively counters the misunderstanding / disinformation that Putin’s agression is ‘justified’.

‘Kan ‘buitenlandse’ politiek nog ‘buitenlands’ zijn als de wereld op existentiële kwesties meer dan ooit onderling verbonden is? In een tijd van planetaire uitdagingen verliest het begrip ‘buitenlandbeleid’ betekenis.’ David van Reybrouck over ‘raison de Terre’ & relativeren nationale soevereiniteit

Barometer: Europeans believe >outcomes in trade negotiations, economic partnerships =result working together at EU level rather than acting alone (79%); EU should diversify trade relations w/all countries to strengthen economic independence & support EU businesses (83%) ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

On 24-25 Nov, the European Union and the African Union will celebrate the 25th anniversary of a Partnership of equals, in Luanda, Angola. The EU is a top trading & foreign investment partner of African countries. EU MS FDI in 2022 was at Euro 279 billion - while only 46 b for the US, 41 b for China.

And here’s a deeper dive with the former NATO SG by @eurdraaitdoor.bsky.social (in EN). Stoltenberg explains why diplomacy (opening up, more trade etc) with Russia - unfortunately - did not work. Fall 2021 showed a strong military built up & an invasion was being prepared -> capacity + intention.

In Egypt, when I am asked why is there no Dialogue with Putin, I reply for a meaningful Dialogue you need trust. The Dutch @vpro.nl show a documentary ‘Facing War’ about former NATO SG Jens Stoltenberg and the challenges of the Alliance since February 2022 when Russia’s war on Ukraine started -1

Bij NL verkiezingen zijn 65 vrouwen verkozen, volgens een ‘Stichting Stem op een Vrouw’ analyse van de proces verbalen van stembureaus. Met 43,3 procent lijkt het ‘t hoogste percentage vrouwen in de Tweede Kamer sinds 1918, toen vrouwen voor het eerst mochten worden verkozen. Dankzij voorkeurstemmen

Sincere congratulations to all in Egypt who work hard on macro-economic stability and structural reforms to attract more and more investments. The EU partners with Egypt. Together we are stronger. x.com/raniaalmasha...

EU Sharm el Sheikh : transitional governance, recovery. reconstruction, making sure the ‘day after’ is a success, EU support to Palestinian Authority, long term stability, two-State solution, Israel & State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace & security www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...

EU on Gaza : A real chance to end devastating war & the human suffering, forge a credible political path based on the two-state solution, Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and Implementation of the Two-State Solution r.newsletter.consilium.europa.eu/mk/mr/sh/1t6...

What a moment…when the 2025 @nobelprize.bsky.social Nobel Prize winner receives ‘the call’, a few minutes before the official announcement. Sincere congratulations dear Maria Corina Machado and all people you represent and fight for. x.com/nobelprize/s...

Felicitaciones, María Corina Machado, por recibir el Premio Nobel de la Paz. This award honours not only your courage and conviction. But every voice that refuses to be silenced. In Venezuela and across the world.

Local Sudanese organisers provide humanitarian support to committees affected by the war, showing the critical importance of access to lifesaving assistance in times of conflict and the power of everyday citizens to serve humanity in most difficult times. For Sudan, Gaza, Ukraine and beyond.

Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia a.o. have taken the lead in the region to get the Gaza peace plan 1st phase going. Many colleagues here in Cairo share sense of relief for people of Palestine & Israel. EU will do all we can to sustain efforts, end devastating war, work towards a political horizon

Important decision : Egypt to join the @wto.org Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement #WTOIFD. This is mutually supportive of our EU-Egypt work to improve the business climate, attract more #FDI, enhance our relations as Strategic Partners. www.facebook.com/share/p/1H2h...

EU on Gaza: ‘Transitional arrangements should pave the way for lasting, sustainable peace through credible pathway towards political horizon for Palestinian statehood & the 2-state solution, based on the principles endorsed by large majority UN Member States’ www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/pre...

SOTEU @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu : ‘Commission will do all it can on its own’ -> pause bilat support (not Yad Vashem & Israeli cs) propose sanctions violent settlers, partial suspension trade aspects EU-Israel Association Agreement. Gaza reconstruction, support Pal Authority, viable Palestinian State

Just spoke with IAEA Rafael Grossi, Iran FM Araghchi and Egypt FM Abdelatty. Today’s framework deal for resuming inspections of Iran’s nuclear facilities could mark a crucial step for nuclear diplomacy, provided there is rapid implementation by Iran. I thank Egypt for facilitating the process.

Next Multiannual Financial Framework : A budget focused on EU priorities: competitiveness, defence, security, decarbonisation, sustainability, economic, social, territorial cohesion; More flexibility; Simpler, more streamlined and harmonised EU financial programmes; tailored to local need ->

The mandate of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL established in 1978, has been renewed unanimously, one final time. The complete end to all violations of Lebanese sovereignty are essential conditions for the country’s security and prosperity. This goes for all countries in the region.

On behalf of the EU Delegation to Egypt & LAS @euinegypt.bsky.social I extended today my best wishes to Mykola Nahornyi, Ambassador of Ukraine to Egypt, to mark the country's Independence Day. With the greatest and deepest admiration for the unbreakable courage and spirit of all Ukrainian people.

Yes - just listened to BBC Weekend’s item on how Denmark is protecting + stimulating the Art of Reading - for all books or only Danish reading? - though language does not really matter - its important to Read, its abt developing critical thinking, learning languages. Look at Iceland, Italy, Ukraine

@tomfletcherun.bsky.social @unocha.org @wfp @who @unicef : The UN has now officially declared famine in Gaza, the first in the Middle East. Half a million people are in a catastrophic condition. 500 000 people.

What a joy when reconnecting w/ @maryfitzger.bsky.social last week & the first author & book coming to our minds was ‘Chronicles of a #Cairo Bookseller’ by Nadia Wassef, which I happened to have in my bag as this year’s re-reading ‘annual leave companion’ #enlightening #bookstore #Diwan #fascinating

I met Sonallah Ibrahim in 1985 during a student trip & an exchange in Café Riche with novelists, glued to our chairs listening to Egypt’s intellectuals. Also met Ra’ouf Mus’ad, now settled in The Netherlands. I always kept following SI’s path. And was hoping we would meet in 2025. RIP dear Sonallah

I met Sonallah Ibrahim in 1985 during a student trip & an exchange in Café Riche with novelists, glued to our chairs listening to Egypt’s intellectuals. Also met Ra’ouf Mus’ad, now settled in The Netherlands. I always kept following SI’s path. And was hoping we would meet in 2025. RIP dear Sonallah

In Egypt, many love to spend summer time on the North Coast or Sahel. It is considered that time and place of the year for recharge, being amongst friends, enjoying the exceptional sea water and pleasant weather. We took our time to go back to history and read up on the military campaigns in the -1

‘The heroes who made me’ @financialtimes.com columnist @simonkuper.bsky.social in the Dutch @vprozomergasten.bsky.social : Nelson Mandela as president of South Africa in 1995, visiting the self-anointed white Afrikaner homeland Orania, which wanted autonomy within the newly Black-ruled country -1

On 28 July Cssr Dubravka Šuica represented the EU at the New York Conference www.un.org/unispal/high... A 7-page Declaration called for an end to the war, offering a comprehensive framework, addressing urgent humanitarian needs, solutions for security &governance in Gaza ec.europa.eu/commission/p...

1 August 1975 : I was almost 10, remembering my father clustered to our prehistoric TV watching and commenting on leaders signing up to the Helsinki Final Act -closing three years of negotiations between hostile blocs which in fact started in 1956 -with indeed the help of neutral and non-aligned -1

Diplomacy is the only way to get to peace and security to the Middle East region. The EU will continue engaging with the parties and our partners to find a peaceful solution at the negotiating table.

The EU stands in full solidarity with the people of Belarus and remains steadfast in supporting their pursuit of democracy and freedom

EU has for long engaged diplomatically 2 find a negotiated solution 2 the Iran nuclear issue, incl. as coordinator 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiations. EU key security priority= to ensure through diplomacy that Iran doesn’t acquire a nuclear weapon www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/...

On behalf of @euinegypt.bsky.social wishing all who observe a blessed and peaceful Eid Adha Mubarak 🇪🇺🇪🇬

A fantastic election for Latvia and for the EU with a special thanks to Minister @baibabraze.bsky.social - counting on #LatviaUNSC pivotal work on peace and security

‘Trust in the EU’ by EU citizens has grown over the past 4 consecutive years. At it highest point ever. Also 81 percent support a common defense and security policy, the highest proportion backing EU-wide defense measures since 2004. #Eurobarometer

For our Arabic speaking audience : our @euinegypt.bsky.social spokesperson/press officer Rasha Serry explains in detail the European Union role in migration management in Egypt -to clarify previous information discussed in the same #MBCMASR programme by TV presenter Amr Adib youtu.be/t4tLpZYIkyw?...