On 27 February 2017, the Council adopted legal acts imposing further restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). These legal acts transpose the additional restrictive measures imposed by United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 2321 adopted on 30 November 2016.

Although fast and effective for plant growth, chemicals pesticides entail potential risks for human health, animals and the environment. About 45% of food we consume contains pesticide residues with 1.6% exceeding legal limits, according to the European Food Safety Authority. MEPs want to promote the use of more natural pesticides and to simplify and speed up the approval process. Check our video for more information.

On 21 February in New York City, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, discussed the key items on the international agenda and voiced his support for priorities raised by Guterres.

The measures taken on 21 February against three Members of Parliament of the HDP, including both of its Co-Chairs, further add to the concerns expressed both following the Turkish Grand National Assembly's adoption last May of a law allowing the immunity of a large number of deputies to be lifted as well as in the wake of ensuing detentions and arrests of several HDP Members of Parliament, including its two Co-Chairs.

On 21 February in New York City, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the former mayor of New York City, the U.S. President Donald Trump’s close comrade and his adviser on cybersecurity issues Rudy Giuliani.

The European Commission has announced an emergency aid package worth €82 million as famine has been declared in South Sudan for the first time since the country gained independence in 2011.

Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, sent tonight a letter of condolences on the passing of Ambassador Vitaly Churkin to the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov.

During the Munich Security Conference, Linas Linkevičius, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, had a meeting with Andrei Galbur, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova. Linas Linkevičius congratulated Moldova on the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries and invited his counterpart to pay a visit Lithuania.

High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, today in the margins of the Munich Security Conference.

To counter the growing threats from “foreign fighters” travelling to conflict zones for terrorist purposes and “lone wolves” planning solo attacks, new EU-wide rules were approved by Parliament on Thursday.