France" "

Human cloning: a firm "no"” “

A “World Convention on Bioethics” to affirm the inviolability of human life and its dignity in a clear way in international law: the idea has been launched by the President of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac, on intervening on the 20th anniversary of the National Committee of Ethics on Sunday, 23 February. Speaking to the […]

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Belarus" "

The return of "spring"” “

Belarus: a Central European country that wants to grow and yet still suffers from the “allure” of the former Soviet Union: such is the image of the independent state formerly known as Belorussia; the name means “White Russia”. Belarus is the heir of the long tradition of Mitteleuropa, from the Grand Duchy of Lithuania to […]

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EU in brief" "

Funding for the European parties” “

“The political parties at the European level are an important factor for integration within the Union. They contribute to forming a European consciousness and expressing the political will of the Union’s citizens”: so reads article 191 of the Treaty of the European Community, recently completed by the provisions contained in the Treaty of Nice. And […]

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Commission: in favour of enlargement” “

After the Copenhagen Summit in December 2002 which sanctioned the enlargement to the EU to ten new countries, the Union last week (19/2) completed the first procedural step towards their membership. In conformity with the Treaty, the Executive adopted an “Opinion favourable” to the entry of the ten candidates (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, […]

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Council of General Affairs” “

In the presence of the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, and the Lebanese Foreign Minister, Mahmoud Hammoud, current president of the Arab League, a meeting of the EU’s Council of general affairs and external relations (CGA) was held in Brussels on Monday, 24 February. The meeting was largely dedicated to the Iraqi […]

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Convention: amendments being discussed” “

The Convention on the future of Europe met for its 15th plenary session in Brussels on 27 February. The agenda included a debate on articles 1 to 7 of the draft constitution (concerning the nature and functions of the Union, its values and objectives, national identity of member states, incorporation of the Charter of Rights, […]

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EU: ‘e-vote’, a project in electronic democracy ” “

It’s called “e-vote” and permits citizens to exchange opinions and make proposals on the present and future of Europe. The initiative was presented on 26 February by Greek foreign minister Ghiorgos Papandreou on the occasion of the weekly meeting of the European Commission. “E-vote – in the intention of the current Greek presidency of the […]

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Croatia, application for EU membership” “

With an application presented by prime minister Ivica Racan to Greek prime minister Costas Simitis, current EU president, Croatia formally presented its request to become a member of the European Union on Friday, 21 February. “United Europe is an unprecedented challenge of the new era – said the Croat leader – and Croatia has a […]

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universities" "

In the laboratories of culture” “

Preparations have begun in Europe for the European symposium “University and Church in Europe”, promoted by the Council of the European Episcopal Conferences (CCEE) in collaboration with the episcopal Commission for education, schools and universities of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI). To be held in Rome from 17 to 20 July 2003, the symposium is […]

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ecumenism" "

Anglicans: investiture of the new archbishop of Canterbury ” “

With a solemn ceremony in the presence of the country’s highest public and religious authorities, the Rev. Rowan Williams received the official investiture as archbishop of Canterbury on Thursday, 27 February. The ceremony took place in Canterbury cathedral, “mother church” of the Anglican Communion. Those present included the diocesan bishops of England and Wales, prime […]

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