February 22, 2017

EU approves new humanitarian aid package for Ukraine, worth 18 million euros

Newsroom, 22.02.2017, 13:17

IMMIGRANTS— US President Donald Trump’s administration has made public new immigration guidelines that will speed up the deportation of illegal immigrants from the US. The orders have widened the net for deportations and almost all of the United States 11 million illegal immigrants can be subject to deportation. The new guidelines under President Donald Trump call for the deportation of any immigrants in the country if they are convicted, charged or suspected of a crime. The new guidelines also called to send some immigrants caught crossing the Mexican border illegally back to Mexico, regardless of where they are from. However, protection measures will be maintained for immigrants who entered the country illegally as children.

HUMANITARIAN AID – The European Union has announced additional funding of 18 million euros for people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The complex crisis in eastern Ukraine has a dramatic impact on the population affected and with negative consequences for neighbouring countries. An estimated 2.8 million people are displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Together with the funding provided directly by the Member States, the EU as a whole has directed over 399 million euros in humanitarian and recovery aid to those affected by the conflict since early 2014. Since the resurgence of violence, the EU has been providing support through its humanitarian partners that are delivering their assistance to the residents of Avdiivka and other recently affected areas.

MOLDOVA — The pro-Russian President of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon, has met for the first time after taking office with the country’s pro-Western Prime Minister, Pavel Filip, and with Parliament Speaker, Adrian Candu. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in Chisinau, the talks have surfaced the different visions that the President and the ruling coalition have for the country. President Dodon has reiterated his stand against Moldova’s Association Agreement with the EU and has announced he plans to sign an accord with the Eurasian Economic Union. Dodon has also made clear his intentions to hold a referendum on increasing the powers of the head of state and to call early legislative elections. In turn, Adrian Candu has once more emphasised the fact that the best solution for Moldova’s development and modernisation is this country’s EU accession and that the accord that Dodon plans to sign with the Eurasian Economic Union will have no legal effects.

ENVIRONMENT – The Romanian authorities are going to present an alternative to the environmental stamp duty which was eliminated on February 1 alongside another 101 fees and duties, according to Environment Minister Daniel Constantin. He explained that the new system that will replace the environmental stamp duty would not entail further taxes for citizens but would be aimed at reducing the number of polluting cars. At present, Bucharest, Brasov and Iasi are under the infringement procedure because of the air quality.

(Translated by Elena Enache)