Russia's deimperialisation is in Europe's interest; EU Summit: Stronger borders needed; ECR Group Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria; Conference: Private Property — A natural right under threat; Conference: Fighting disinformation in a time of war

Russia’s deimperialisation is in Europe’s interest

On Monday, the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights will hold an exchange of views with representatives of Russia’s anti-war opposition. Dmitry Gudkov, member of the Russian Anti-War Committee and Olga Shorina, co-founder of the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, are confirmed to take part in the meeting. The ECR Group has repeatedly been outspoken on the fact that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ensuing aggression are illegal and have amounted to genocide. Whether Tsarist, Soviet or under Putin, Russia has always been driven by the same imperial instincts, repeating the same malicious pattern. To finally remove the threat to peace that the Russian Federation poses, the international community should seek a re-federalisation of the Russian state. Russia’s defeat is imperative, and the EU must continue to provide arms, including jets and anti-aircraft systems, to Ukraine in order to make it a reality.

When: Monday @ 15:00

EU Summit: Stronger borders needed

On Thursday and Friday, Member State leaders will gather for a Special European Council meeting to discuss migration. For the ECR Group, a solution to tackle rising numbers in illegal immigration is long overdue. We believe that immigration must finally be controlled in such a way that legitimate asylum seekers can be distinguished from economic migrants, who must make use of regular migration channels and procedures. This requires the EU to strengthen its borders by adopting more effective controls, as well as strengthening Frontex, the EU’s border agency. Human traffickers must be stopped. Essentially, illegal migrants and rejected asylum seekers, but especially dangerous people, must be deported. NGOs transporting people to Europe’s shores should be subject to a recognised code of conduct. The Mediterranean route, which is often deadly for migrants, must also be closed. Another question is whether the constant pressure posed by migration can be managed at all without border fences. That is why the EU should also consider financing such options.

When: Thursday - Friday

ECR Group Meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria

From Tuesday to Friday, ECR MEPs will gather in Sofia, Bulgaria to discuss how to tackle rising migration and better protect the EU’s external borders, as well as Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its consequences. The EU’s creative economy will also be a subject of focus, with sessions on copyright and the promotion of cultural cooperation across the Union. Another working session will give MEPs the opportunity to deliberate over the future of the European Union. It is the belief of the ECR Group that the EU must backpedal in the ongoing process which has, over recent years, seen more centralisation of power to Brussels. Representatives from academia — including students, local and international experts, civil society and the media will also have their voices heard.

When: Tuesday - Friday

Conference: Private Property — A natural right under threat

On Tuesday, ECR MEP Margarita De La Pisa Carrión will host a conference focusing on the fundamentals of property as a natural right and current threats to private property. This is the second conference in a series of three concentrating on business and employment. The speakers, who include Professor David Sanz Bas, Universidad Católica de Avila; Domingo Soriano, Instituto Juan de Mariana; Miguel Angel Sanz, Madavi; and Victor Gonzalez, a VOX deputy and president of the Economic Commission of the Congress of Deputies, Madrid, will gather to share their expert views on the subject. There is a tendency for current EU policy to increasingly undermine the private property rights of both citizens and entrepreneurs. This conference aims to identify the principles that provide for proper policy-making.

When: Tuesday @ 10:00 - 12:00

Where: SPINELLI 1H1

Conference: Fighting disinformation in a time of war

On Thursday, ECR MEP Adam Bielan will host a high-level conference on fighting disinformation in a time of war. The event will examine best practice informed by European, Polish and Ukrainian cases in countering Putin’s propaganda machine. The conference will start with welcome remarks by Mr Janusz Cieszyński, Secretary of State, Government Plenipotentiary for Cyber Security, the Chancellery of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland, followed by keynote speeches and a panel discussion covering solutions to information warfare.

When: Thursday @ 11:00 – 13:00

Where: SPINELLI 1H1