"Erasmus is the EU's flagship student exchange scheme that allows people to study and train across much of Europe for up to a year. It started in 1987 with university exchanges, but now also includes school exchanges, work experience, apprenticeships and sport."
The EU resolution stated that it 'strongly condemns the continued arbitrary detention of democratically elected President Bazoum and his wife.' The EU further demanded their 'immediate and unconditional release.'
Ireland remains cautious about deploying the so-called "big bazooka" economic mechanism against the US, despite Europe moving closer to using the trade weapon in response to threats to take Greenland. Amid reports that Germany is moving towards supporting France in its call for EU member states to ask the European Commission to unleash the Anti-Coercion Instrument, Ireland has remained coy on its position and is instead calling for dialogue to avert an all-out trade war.
"As our cooperation has deepened, so have imbalances," von der Leyen told Xi, describing EU-China trade imbalances as having reached "an inflection point" where China must "come forward with real solutions."
The EU will initiate the reinstatement of UN sanctions on Iran if no progress on its nuclear programme is made by 29 August. France and partners aim to reapply embargos on arms, banks, and nuclear equipment, indicating the need for a tangible commitment from Iran.
A security and defence partnership is a non-legally-binding declaration of intent and is compatible with neutrality. Switzerland would not be subject to any legal or financial obligations.
