Tag: Ashton

In the case of Syria, European policymakers should draw lessons from the last Libyan intervention and aim at a strong collective security framework under the aegis of the EU, writes Giles Merritt from Security & Defence Agenda.

The recent independence of the Republic of South Sudan (9 July) marks a significant break in the history of Africa. European Union engagement with the young nation will be critical to resolving the region's difficulties, notably in terms of a food crisis, peace and ongoing problems in Darfur, argues Manuel Manrique.

The Serb entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina has abandoned its idea of holding a referendum on the legality of the country's national court, the European Commission announced today (13 May), as the EU's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton was on a visit to the country.

In a phone conversation with EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, Israel Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned the EU of the potential consequences of Fatah-Hamas reconciliation as the two groups prepare to sign a unity deal in Cairo today (2 May). He asked Brussels to adopt a cautious approach. 

The occupied Georgian territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in the wake of war with Russia in August 2008 should not be considered as a "frozen conflict," Giorgi Baramidze, vice-prime minister of Georgia responsible for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, told EurActiv in an exclusive interview.

France broke ranks with its European partners yesterday (10 March) by becoming the first country to recognise Libya's opposition and by deciding to "explore the possibility" of carrying out targeted bombings in the civil war-torn country. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton finds herself pushed onto the sidelines as EU leaders flock to Brussels for a crisis summit.

The EU may consider lifting its arms embargo on China in order to improve cooperation with the country, writes Vincent Metten from International Campaign for Tibet. However, he argues that the bloc ought to consider such a move in the context of human rights.

The EU has done little in the past to further democracy in North Africa, writes Anna Khakee of Madrid-based think-tank FRIDE in an exclusive commentary for EurActiv. If Europe wants to avoid future embarrassment, it has to give up the close ties some of its politicians have had with the North African elite, she argues.

The democratic revolutions in Northern Africa and the Middle East are reminiscent of Eastern Europe 20 years ago, writes Michael Berendt on his blog. Nevertheless, it is important for the EU not just to be vocal about it but to build new relationships with these new partners, he argues.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) can provide a more coherent, visible and effective EU foreign policy but faces problems such as low morale among personnel, friction with the European Commission and disputes over EU representation in international organisations, writes Graham Avery, senior advisor at the European Policy Centre (EPC).

The European Parliament adopted yesterday (20 January) a widely-backed resolution requesting sanctions against countries which do not protect religious minorities, following a spate of violence against Christian communities around the world. MEPs were reassured by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who promised action.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and her US counterpart Hillary Clinton have strongly condemned yesterday (23 December) the violent repression by the Belarus authorities following presidential elections in December, which observers say were rigged.

"I am deeply concerned by today’s events on the Korean Peninsula, which have reportedly led to casualties among South Korean military and civilians," EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton stated after North Korea fired dozens of artillery shells at a South Korean island.

Turkey and Ukraine should seek to obtain a status with the EU similar to the one Norway has at present, becoming fully associated members of the internal market and the Schengen border-free area, Elmar Brok, a leading MEP, told EurActiv in an exclusive interview.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton unveiled a list of 28 ambassadors yesterday (15 September) who will be charged with representing the EU's interests abroad. Only twelve were selected from national administrations, while sixteen come from the European Commission.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has deplored the absence of the European Union from direct talks between Israel and Palestine, which are due to start today (2 September) in Washington.

European Council and Commission representatives yesterday (24 August) confirmed reports that the United Nations is to grant the EU the right to speak at the body's General Assembly ahead of its 64^th session, which starts on 15 September in New York.

Despite opposition from the European Parliament, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton unveiled on 25 March a proposal that puts a French-style secretary-general and two deputies at the centre of the EU's future diplomatic service.

There are scandalous cases of corruption in EU peace missions and there would be many more if "grey zones" are not removed from blueprints for setting up the European External Action Service (EEAS), the Green group warned today (23 March).

As the EU recognised Sunday's presidential elections in Ukraine as fair, the country is waiting for Yulia Tymoshenko to contest the poll or concede defeat and allow the winner, Viktor Yanukovich, to start piecing together a governing coalition in parliament.