The rule set out in the title is engrained in Article 3 TEU. Article 21 TEU reads: “The Union shall define and pursue common policies and actions, and shall work for a high degree of cooperation in all fields of international relations, in order to: […] preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, with the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and with the aims of the Charter of Paris, including those relating to external borders”.
There is war along the Eastern borders of the EU. A war that also threatens the EU. And much more important: a war that takes the lives of thousands, destroys cities and hopes, leaves millions dazed and homeless. It is clear that, leaving aside far more important considerations, just on the basis of the TEU we need to act. And we do act. The sanctions imposed on Russia are tough, in particular on Russia’s banking sector. But the sanctions will not stop the war. I’m not qualified to advise on what we should do to stop the war. To be honest, I have no clue what we should do. But I would like to single out one element I think we all should take into consideration.
There has been a lot of propaganda and disinformation. According to the Russian government, the ‘special military operation’ of Russia in the Ukraine is intended to ‘demilitarize and de-Nazify’ Ukraine and to protect people who have been subject to bullying and even genocide by Ukraine’s government. Russian soldiers have been sent to the war under this false pretext. The Russian commander of the national guard Astakhov Dmitry Mikhailovich explained that situation and apologized to the Ukrainian people (https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20220308_95605407). Arnold Schwarzenegger aired a message addressing and challenging the disinformation spread among the Russian people and in particular the Russian soldiers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e1BndTE6Lg).
More in general, disinformation is in particular an issue of modern times. Not because disinformation or fake news is new, but because our technology makes it so easy to create (such as deepfake videos) and to spread masses of fake information. I simply refer to Covid-19, where we can see many examples. Disinformation is extremely dangerous.
We need reliable data. We need responsible debate. We need the view of many. People expressing their sometimes opposing views with proper arguments and mutual respect. We need to challenge each other. We need to prevent misunderstanding and keep each other properly informed.
I hope this magazine can contribute to just that. I understand and appreciate that EU employment law is of small concern right now, given what is going on, but in the long-term even these small matters may prove valuable. We should not forget that proper terms of employment and appetite for war are to some extent connected. I just refer to the creation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1919 by the signatory nations to the Treaty of Versailles, who recognized the fact that “conditions of labour exist involving such injustice, hardship and privation to large numbers of people as to produce unrest so great that the peace and harmony of the world are imperiled”.
So, let us discuss some topics together. We can read information on age discrimination, collective agreements, Covid-19 related dismissals and whistleblowing. Also, the Academic Board prepared its Review of EU employment law developments in 2021. I hope that you enjoy the contents of this Issue!

Zef Even
Editor-in-chief