President #Biden has shown what it means to be a real #statesman. Deserves huge respect for doing what is best for 🇺🇸 under these circumstances. Wishing the Democratic party to find the right candidate able to win #USElection. Would be good news for US, Europe & the world.

It’s an honour for me to be chosen as a #coordinator of Renew Europe in the #REGI committee REGI Committee Press. A big thanks to all members for their trust. Will do my best to ensure that #RegionalDevelopment is among #EP’s priorities as it goes hand in hand w/🇪🇺 #competitiveness.

Many thanks to all 28 colleagues in the #REGI Committee who voted for me & especially to Renew Europe team 4 supporting me as #VicePresident of REGI Committee Press. It’s a great responsibility. I’ll make sure that I contribute to our committee being strong & efficient! Big tasks ahead.

Iconic #JeuxOlympiques2024

The decision of #Hungary easing #visa rules for countries incl. #Russia & #Belarus is worrying & dangerous for EU’s security. 🇭🇺 is a member of #Schengen w/ responsibilities. It claims to protect it, but opens up for security #threats & spies during hybrid war against 🇪🇺?

“Chapeau” to those involved in releasing unjustly imprisoned in the major #prisonerswap since the Cold War. Brave people came back to their loved ones, to resume lives & service in democratic & free societies. What Putin asked in exchange: spies and murderers. Very telling.

I joined a letter addressed to Ursula von der Leyen calling to act swiftly against increased risks for our Schengen.

What a coincidence that surroundings of #Ukrainian nuclear power plant #Zaporizhzhia under full 🇷🇺control got on fire while 🇺🇦soldiers are on a mission inside Russia’s #Kursk area. Blackmail & threats & spreading of fear are the only values dear to Putin’s regime & his admirers.

On this day 56 yrs ago, troops of the Warsaw Pact incl. the Soviet Union invaded #Czechoslovakia. They took away our #freedom & access to #truth for over 20 yrs. As we witness the rise of pro-authoritarian tendencies, we must remember to keep defending our #democratic values.

Glorious Independence Day #Ukraine! Russia’s invasion has reminded us that #freedom & #independence are not to be taken for granted. But it is something #worth fighting for. Many can learn a lot from you about #patriotism & resilience. By your side back then, now & it the future.

Today marks 80 ys since the Slovak National Uprising. One of the key moments in our history, where the nation stood up in arms against fascism to fight for freedom & democracy. It’s personal too, as Imrich Karvas, grandfather, was one of the leading figures making it possible.

As I responded to Financial Times “No local mayor wants their EU financial flows to rely completely on their central government enacting a reform plan, especially given how that leaves it open to domestic political leverage.” We need to be careful designing new rules. on.ft.com/4e8s8KD

Félicitations au ex-commissaire Michel Barnier pour être nommé le premier ministre de la #France. From my past experience in Brussels during #Brexit negotiations he is a very thorough and skillfull negotiator & #deal-maker even when everyone else loses hope. Bon courage!

I co-signed the call to lift restrictions on usage of Western supplied arms to 🇺🇦against legitimate targets on 🇷🇺territory, adressed to Josep Borrell Fontelles by MEPs. It is in line with the international law. Thank you Jan Farský & Danuše Nerudová & Ivars Ijabs for the initiative.

At REGI Committee Press w/Vasco Alves Cordeiro & Elisa Ferreira we discussed the future of the #cohesion policy. Agreed with #Draghi’s report that it belongs to the #competitiveness agenda. It’s needed to complete the single market & ensure that growth is triggered at the regional level.

At Renew Europe meeting in beautiful Ostend, we adopted a #declaration to set our priorities for the Commissioners hearings on liberty, prosperity & security. Among those we’ll ask to promote cohesion policy & accession process of the Union. Read more: renew-europe.files.svdcdn.com/production/new…

Pleasure was mine! Looking forward to working together as a team in REGI Committee Press.

President Ursula von der Leyen unveils priorities for the next 5 years through her Executive VPs; among others entrusting strong portfolios on prosperity and industry & foreign affairs and security to Renew Europe. Congratulations to Kaja Kallas & Stéphane Séjourné. Ready to work together!