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"The EU’s priority and message in this context remains clear: violence must end now. There is an urgent need to address the root causes of the conflict and to find a political pathway, which allows for a return to meaningful negotiations towards a two-state solution based on the internationally agreed parameters.  Both Israelis and Palestinians alike have the right to live in safety and security, freedom and democracy. These constant cycles of violence must be brought to an end."

European Commission wants to eradicate harmful pollution of air, water and soil within 30 years

The European Union's big project of consultation with its citizens kicked off in Strasbourg on 9 May - Europe Day. The Conference on the Future of Europe is meant to provide an opportunity for all EU citizens to participate in the debate on how the EU should be shaped through a series of digital platforms and citizens' panels. Sunday's Strasbourg meeting was filled with big words by EU leaders. There was talk of "a new beginning", the "next generation of Europeans" and "a democratic wind". European Commission president, Ursula Von der Leyen, spoke of the opportunity "to simplify" the EU "and make it more 'down to earth' where necessary".

This year, faced by the challenges of the pandemic and its social and economic consequences, European leaders meeting at an informal summit in Porto, hosted by the current Portuguese Presidency of the EU, focused on social issues, including on how to ensure an inclusive recovery, with education and skills at the heart of the EU's political action.

The European Commission will stop efforts to approve the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) between China and the European Union (EU). European Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, said that approval for the CAI is complicated due to recent EU-China relations. 

Assavbayev briefed the Azerbaijani minister on new initiatives being considered, as well as plans on expanding the geography of activities, cooperation with the EU and other issues.

According to the Portuguese minister of foreign affairs, Augusto Santos Silva, the 27-nation bloc wants to restart talks on three agreements: protection of geographical indication, reciprocal investments, and a pact to foster Indo-European trade. Portugal will host the summit on Saturday in Porto.