Arab Spring
Sanctioning Poland over refugees would be wrong
The European Commission is threatening Poland with financial penalties for refusing to take in refugees. But that approach misses the bigger picture, writes Bartosz Brzeziński.
Time to consider refugee protection in partnerships with third countries
On World Refugee Day and just before the European Council, we call on the EU and its member states to assess the impact of the Partnership Framework approach on the right to seek and enjoy asylum, writes Denis Haveaux.
Trump tells Middle East to ‘drive out’ Islamist extremists
President Donald Trump urged Arab and Islamic leaders yesterday (21 May) to unite and do their share to defeat Islamist extremists, making an impassioned plea to "drive out" terrorists while toning down his own harsh rhetoric about Muslims.
Russia ‘plays games for fun’ in Libya
Taking advantage of the weakness and divisions of the EU, and the lack of interest of the US, Russia “plays games for fun” in Libya, expending little effort, but potentially obtaining important dividends, analysts said at an event in Brussels on Wednesday (26 April).
Refugee hotspots in Italy and Greece ‘not yet adequate’, say EU auditors
The EU’s emergency response to the 2015 refugee crisis, by creating arrival ‘hotspots’ in Greece and Italy, has left reception centres that are “not yet adequate”, according to a damning new report by the EU Court of Auditors.
Merkel’s ‘man in Africa’ downbeat on prospects for Africa-EU summit
Gunther Nooke, Angela Merkel’s representative to Africa, offered a gloomy prognosis of November's Africa-EU summit in Abidjan on Tuesday (11 April), saying trade between the continents was “almost irrelevant” and that the African Union required major “institutional reform".
Brussels Syria conference: Why this war is personal
Despite what Syria has become, most Syrian refugees speak longingly about returning to Syria and yearn for the types of job – doctors, engineers and teachers – that will be needed to rebuild their country, writes Christine Latif.
Auditors find ‘shortcomings’ in EU aid to Tunisia after Arab Spring
The EU gave Tunisia some €1.3bn in aid after the Arab Spring without properly checking how all of it was spent, according to a report published today (28 March) by the Court of Auditors.
EU unveils Syria reconstruction plan
The EU unveiled an ambitious plan Tuesday (14 March) to support the reconstruction of war-torn Syria, calling it a "dividend" to encourage warring parties to reach a peace deal.
Africa’s dwindling online freedom
Africa is using the internet more and more but many governments are employing web blackouts to manipulate voters and silence critics. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Senior Arab diplomat derides EU migrant discourse
A distinguished Arab diplomat remarked that EU politicians and think tank representatives did not make use of keywords such as “Iraq” or “Islam” while discussing the Union’s relations with its neighbours and the refugee crisis for several hours.
Tunisia underestimates imminent North Africa refugee crisis
Tunisia has signed agreements with the EU for the return of illegal Tunisian immigrants and to host asylum seekers from other African countries. But Tunis is now denying those deals, writes Mourad Teyeb.
UN’s Libya representative urges EU countries to reopen Tripoli embassies
The UN's representative in Libya, Martin Kobler, has revealed that the organisation intends to return to Tripoli "very soon" and urged European countries to do the same and reopen their embassies. Euractiv Spain reports.
EU foreign ministers promise to improve conditions for migrants in Libya
EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels yesterday (6 February) agreed to improve conditions for migrants stuck in detention centres in strife-torn Libya, in the wake of last week's Valletta summit.
Stop stopping the Libyan migrants: Start asking why they are coming
Today (3 February), EU leaders are discussing plans to stop people embarking from Libya from reaching Europe’s shores, the details of which seem unworkable, counterproductive and morally dubious, writes Imogen Sudbery.
Libyan PM demands more EU money ahead of Malta summit
Libya’s western-backed prime minister has complained that his country is only receiving “very small amounts” from the EU, ahead of a key summit on the central Mediterranean migration route on Friday (3 February) in Malta.
Malta: Complacency on migration ‘not an option anymore’
Tackling illegal immigration, security in the Mediterranean and relations with Libya and Tunisia among others will be at the centre of the Maltese EU Presidency during the first half of 2017, Natasha Meli Daudey told EURACTIV.pl.
Tusk: EU powerless to stop Aleppo carnage
A downbeat Donald Tusk last night (15 December) admitted that the European Union was powerless to stop Russian-backed bloodshed in the Syrian city of Aleppo.
Mediterranean Union chief: We promote regional cooperation
Following the recent political chaos in the Mediterranean region, the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) group is now focussing on collaborative local projects rather than large-scale regional policy.
EU officials: Summit set to be a ‘minefield’ of ‘sensitive, explosive’ stuff
Thursday’s summit of EU leaders (15 December) will be a “minefield”, senior EU officials warned on Wednesday (14 December), citing a list of “sensitive, explosive stuff” that could blow up in their faces.
US general: EU leaders must pressure Trump over climate change scepticism
European Union leaders must heap pressure on Donald Trump over his climate change scepticism because global warming poses a global security threat, a retired US general has told EURACTIV.com.
IS terrorists may use car bombs in Europe, warns Europol
Terror networks such as the Islamic State group are evolving their tactics to attack soft targets in Europe, which could see the use of deadly car bombs, Europol warned on Friday (2 December).
Tunisia wins billion-dollar pledges for ailing economy
Tunisia won pledges of billions of dollars in support on Tuesday (29 November) at an investment conference aimed at reviving the country's economy following its Arab Spring revolution.
US suspends Syria ceasefire talks with Russia, blames Moscow
The United States broke off talks with Russia yesterday (3 October) on implementing a ceasefire agreement in Syria and accused Moscow of not living up to its commitments under the 9 September deal to halt fighting and ensure aid reached besieged communities.