The sleep of reason produces monsters.
Chronic inaction, lack of leadership, petty political quarrels, disbelief in basic universal values, putting one's head in the sand, pandering to evil, and endless appeasement of warmongering dictatorial regimes only encourage a greater evil.
โUno non dovrebbe mai voltare le spalle a un pericolo minacciato e cercare di fuggire da esso. Se lo fai, raddoppi il pericolo. Ma se lo affronti tempestivamente e senza batter ciglio, ridurrai il rischio della metร โ.
Winston Churchill.
Today, #EUCO leaders decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The country has taken impressive steps towards our Union.
More progress has been achieved in just over a year than in over a decade.
Congratulations ๐ง๐ฆ!
Sweden is now a NATO member. Thank you all Allies for welcoming us as the 32nd member. We will strive for unity, solidarity and burden-sharing, and will fully adhere to the Washington Treaty values: freedom, democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. Stronger together.
๐ฝ๐ฐ 2024 began with three positive developments for Kosovo:
- Kosovo citizens can now travel visa free to Schengen countries
- Serbia recognizes Kosovo car plates featuring state symbols
- For the first time since the war, the Serb-majority north of Kosovo will start paying for electricity
A historic decision by the EU enters into force. Kosovoโs citizens can as of today travel to the EU visa-free.
This brings significant benefits to both Kosovo & the EU.
The entire Western Balkans are now connected to the Schengen area through visa liberalisation
#EUIntegration
Today is a day of great pride for Bulgaria and Romania.
The decision to lift internal air and sea border checks with ๐ง๐ฌ๐ท๐ด is a major step forward for them and for the Schengen area.
Both have worked hard for it.
They both deserve it.
They will make Schengen even stronger.
๐ฝ๐ฐ 62% of Kosovars aged 25-34 don't plan to move to the EU post-visa liberalization; 37% plan to move.
Top destinations: ๐ฉ๐ช๐จ๐ญ&๐ซ๐ท
95% believe visa liberalization will impact workforce.
Poll: @schengen_info
A new flagpole has been erected at #NATO HQ in Brussels, as from 3pm today we will have #FinlandinNATO .
It marks a turning point. The new Old Cold War is over, the New Cold War is well underway.
A thread on the history behind todayโs momentous development: ๐งต 1/6
Thirty-one flags flying together as a symbol of our unity and solidarity.
#Finland is safer and #NATO is stronger with Finland as an Ally
Welcome to our Alliance ๐ซ๐ฎ
#NATO.
31 strong.
All for one, one for all.
๐ฆ๐ฑ๐ง๐ช๐ง๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐ญ๐ท๐จ๐ฟ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ช๐ช๐ซ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ท๐ฉ๐ช๐ฌ๐ท๐ญ๐บ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฎ๐น๐ฑ๐ป๐ฑ๐น๐ฑ๐บ๐ฒ๐ช๐ณ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ด๐ต๐ฑ๐ต๐น๐ท๐ด๐ธ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ช๐ธ๐น๐ท๐ฌ๐ง๐บ๐ธ
One year of brutal Russian aggression.
One year of heroic Ukrainian resistance.
One year of European solidarity.
Ahead of us is a future of unity.
โจYou are fighting for freedom, for democracy, and for your place in the European Union.
ย
We are with you, for as long as it takes.
NATO is not at war with Russia. NATO hasn't even started a special military operation against Russia. Russia is being beaten by Ukrainians, not by NATO. This is getting embarassing for some people, and it shows.
๐ฝ๐ฐ The trilogue agreement on visa liberalisation with Kosovo was approved by @EP_Justice MEPs with 48 in favour, 7 against, and 3 abstaining (rapp. @thijsreuten).
Next, the EP plenary will vote on the matter.