Georgi Gotev
The Brief, powered by VDMA – Red red line
In his State of the Union speech on Wednesday (21 April), Russian President Vladimir Putin warned the West that if it crosses “the red line” with Russia, it should expect an “asymmetrical, swift and harsh” response.
Putin warns the West not to cross the red line in relation to Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual State of the Union address on Wednesday (21 April), presenting a narrative according to which the West was playing a dangerous and hostile game against his country, which had no other choice but to defend itself.
Michel’s mediation in Georgia revealed
European Council President Charles Michel "took risks" during his recent visit to Georgia, and some in Brussels thought his actions were "mad", according to an EU official familiar with the latest diplomatic action meant to reassert the EU's 'soft power'.
World Press Freedom Index 2021: EU getting more heterogeneous
Some European countries lead the world in respect for media freedom, yet the situation across the EU is growing increasingly heterogeneous, according to the 2021 World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), to be released on Tuesday (20 April).
The Brief, powered by VDMA – Facebook 2.0 for the Future of Europe?
Key EU officials presented today a multilingual digital platform for the Conference on the Future of Europe, a massive event that will be launched officially on Europe Day (or should we say Saint Schuman Day) on 9 May.
The Brief, powered by FACEBOOK – Forza la diaspora!
In our changing Europe, worsening demography is often a catastrophe for democracy. Romania and Bulgaria are good examples of countries depleted of the healthiest part of their population, as hundreds of thousands of their most active and dynamic citizens chose...
Outgoing Bulgarian PM Borissov puts forward diplomat for successor
Outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on Wednesday (14 April) put forward Daniel Mitov, a diplomat, as his successor although most analysts agree that the proposed cabinet will likely be rejected by the new Parliament.
The Brief, powered by FACEBOOK – Putin’s gamble
Russian strongman Vladimir Putin is taking a dangerous gamble, internally and externally. On the one hand, he is slowly killing his political opponent Alexei Navalny in a Gulag-type establishment. On the other, he is creating conditions for a spark to ignite a military conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
Greece calls for foreign forces to quit Libya
Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias called Monday (12 April) for the pullout of foreign forces from Libya, during a visit to the eastern city of Benghazi.
Von der Leyen, Michel seek way forward after ‘sofa-gate’ tensions
EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel held their first talks Monday (12 April) since a diplomatic gaffe in Turkey -- dubbed "sofa-gate" -- laid bare tensions between the bloc's major institutions.
Cypriot says business ‘stolen’ in Bulgaria, hopes EPPO will investigate
Stealing a successful business in Bulgaria is commonplace, although this mafia-like practice is little documented. A Cypriot businessman has told his story to EURACTIV, hoping that the Office of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) would investigate further.
‘Sofa-gate’ brings more headaches for the EU
The protocol scandal that overshadowed the EU leaders’ recent visit to Turkey keeps unfolding, raising questions about Council President Charles Michel's reaction, but also about the EU's consistency in asking Ankara to adhere to the Istanbul Convention.
Bulgarians vote for change, send three new parties to Parliament
Bulgaria's election on Sunday (4 April) saw three new parties, largely representing the anti-corruption protests of last summer, enter parliament. Prime Minister Boyko Borissov's ruling conservative GERB remained the strongest single party but with slim chances of forming a government and staying in power.
The Brief, powered by bp – Dress rehearsal elections
As Bulgarians are gearing up for a general election on Sunday (4 April), the crucial issue - or risk, for some - is whether Boyko Borissov, who has run the poorest EU country with small interruptions since 2009, will get another mandate.
EU efforts to observe the Palestinian election fall flat
Israel has so far failed to respond to the European Union’s request to monitor the first Palestinian elections in 15 years, EURACTIV has learned, significantly reducing the chances of ensuring an adequate observer presence at this key milestone.
EU dangles carrots for Turkey if ‘de-escalation sustained’
European Union leaders are ready to boost cooperation with Turkey if a "current de-escalation is sustained", they said in a video summit on Thursday (25 March) following a spike in tensions.
EU says after Biden meeting: Let’s safeguard global security together
The European Union and the United States must together safeguard global security, democracy and stability, European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday (25 March) after chairing an EU summit that US President Joe Biden joined briefly. Michel said the...
The Brief, powered by FACEBOOK – A NATO for Asia?
The Biden administration is wasting no time with its foreign agenda. Under the thumb of a very capable diplomat, Anthony Blinken, the US is mobilising its Asian allies against China in a way reminiscent of how NATO was built in the period after the Second World War, only faster.
MEPs pressure Bulgaria to lift North Macedonia accession veto
MEPs put pressure on Bulgaria on Thursday (25 March) to lift its veto on the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia but failed to pass an amendment criticizing the Bulgarian position.
Greece, Cyprus frown at ‘too many carrots’ in draft EU declaration on Turkey
A common EU declaration on Turkey currently under discussion ahead of the EU summit on 25-26 March “does not reflect” the balanced approach of EU top diplomat Josep Borrell recent report, Athens and Nicosia have said.
Lavrov pronounces Russia-EU relations as dead
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said there were no more relations between his country and the EU, blaming Brussels for “destroying mechanisms built over years”. He made the comments during a visit to China, marking a further Russia-China rapprochement.
The Brief, powered by Facebook – Spy hard
Hallelujah. A recent spy scandal in Bulgaria has reminded us that there other things besides COVID vaccines that are geopolitically important…
The Brief, powered by Eurochild – If words could kill
US President Joe Biden gave an affirmative answer when asked by ABC's George Stephanopoulos if he believed Vladimir Putin was a “killer”. You would think that such an important question and answer would have been carefully arranged in advance...