Georgi Gotev
Germany launches ‘Green Central Asia’ initiative
A high-level ministerial conference in Berlin launched on Tuesday (28 January) the ‘Green Central Asia’ initiative, intended to support regional integration between the five Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who hosted the conference, stressed that...
The Brief – Is Mini Schengen all it’s cracked up to be?
Diplomats are still wondering what’s behind the initiative of Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, who last October decided to advance regional cooperation by forming a so-called “mini-Schengen” in the Western Balkans.
The Brief – Imagine… the future of Europe
The EU is planning yet another reflection about its future, this time consulting European citizens. It will take place after Brexit becomes a fact and last about two years. The idea to engage with citizens is good, that’s what democracy...
Apple pushes back against EU common charger, warns of innovation risks
iPhone maker Apple on Thursday (23 January) pushed back against EU lawmakers’ call for a common charger, warning the move could hamper innovation, create a mountain of electronic waste and irk consumers.
Bulgaria indicts three Russian nationals for Skripal-type attempted murder
After years of foot-dragging, Bulgarian prosecutors on Wednesday (23 January) indicted three Russian nationals for allegedly attempting to poison the owner of a Bulgarian arms factory and his son in 2015.
Future of Europe: What happens if a majority of citizens asks for ‘less Europe’?
“That’s a very interesting question. If there will be a majority of them, we will follow”, Commission Vice President Dubravka Šuica said on Wednesday (22 January), on what would happen if a majority of citizens would ask for “less Europe”.
Portuguese authorities start taking the ‘Luanda Leaks’ seriously
Portuguese authorities said on Monday (20 January) they had started looking into media leaks concerning Angolan billionaire Isabel dos Santos, while a small bank said it had decided to put an end to commercial relationship with entities controlled by dos Santos.
Croatian Presidency praises Kazakhstan for readiness to host ‘difficult’ WTO ministerial
The Croatian EU Presidency praised Kazakhstan on Monday (20 January) for its initiative to host a ministerial conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at a time when the world trade body is facing a deep crisis.
Macron backs down on digital tax following Trump’s tariff threats
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday (20 January) he had a "great discussion" with US President Donald Trump over a digital tax planned by Paris and said the two countries would work together to avoid a rise in tariffs.
The Brief – Uphill battle for EU-Mercosur pact
There’s a strong sense of déjà vu. Belgium’s region of Wallonia is trying to block the EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement, just like it previously attempted with CETA, the EU-Canada free trade agreement. But how serious is that?
Russia’s ruling party approves Putin’s pick Mishustin for new PM
Russia’s ruling party on Thursday (16 January) unanimously backed President Vladimir Putin’s surprise choice for prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, a man with almost no political profile.
Is Bulgaria’s Belene nuclear plant in line with EU competition law?
A Bulgarian lawyer has sent an eight-page letter to the European Commission pointing to various alleged violations of EU competition rules relating to the oft-delayed Belene nuclear power plant, EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.
Kazakhstan and Belarus to discuss oil supply deal
Kazakhstan and Belarus will discuss an oil supply deal before 20 January, Kazakhstan Energy Minister Nurlan Nogayev told reporters on Wednesday (15 January), without explaining the significance of that date.
The Brief, powered by Orgalim – Playing games for fun in Libya
No single geographic location makes the EU more vulnerable these days than Libya. Regrettably, the situation in this Mad Max country is likely to get worse before it gets better.
Croatia president blames poll defeat on sexism, ‘fake news’
Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović on Saturday (11 January) blamed sexism and "fake news" for her defeat in elections last week, as well as a rival who split the right-wing electorate she was counting on.
Von der Leyen fails to convince that her Commission is ‘geopolitical’
New European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was put on the spot during her visit to Zagreb on Friday (10 January). Asked how she would prove that her Commission is ‘geopolitical’, given the EU's weak response to growing challenges in the region, von der Leyen failed to provide convincing answers.
Croatia highlights its Schengen and Eurozone ambitions
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković made it clear that Croatia, the latest EU newcomer, wants to join as soon as possible the Union’s inner circles – the borderless Schengen space and the Eurozone.
The Brief, powered by MPE – Geopolitical wishes for 2020
At the turn of 2020, a big bunch of geopolitical issues are staring Europe right in the face. What will matter in the end is the capacity of the new European Commission, which by the way calls itself geopolitical, to respond to the challenges.
Russia and Ukraine finalise gas deal just ahead of New Year deadline
Moscow and Kyiv on Monday (30 December) signed a five-year agreement on the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine, after months of difficult talks but just ahead of a looming New Year deadline.
Additional line to Turkish Stream would face US sanctions
EXCLUSIVE: US sanctions will apply to any additional lines to the Russia-sponsored pipeline Turkish Stream, EURACTIV has learned. Serbia has already competed and Bulgaria is building expensive infrastructure to import gas from Turkish Stream and carry it further to Hungary and Austria.
Kazakhstan’s leadership opens up to ‘alternative opinion’
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered a major agenda-setting speech on Friday (20 December), outlining measures to improve the economy and social standards, but also introducing several democratic reforms.
How a EURACTIV journalist inadvertently coined the ‘Worst Phrase of the Year’ 2019
It’s official: “Freedom gas” is the Worst Phrase of the Year, according to the Plain English Foundation. But where does the expression come from? EURACTIV did not have to look far to get the answer...
Russia, Ukraine agree ‘in principle’ new gas deal, signature expected in Minsk
Russia, Ukraine and the European Commission, after hours-long talks on Thursday, agreed in principle on a new gas deal starting after 1 January 2020, European Commission Vice President Maroš Šefčovič told a briefing. Ukraine is a key transit route for...