Central Europe
Juncker and Nazarbayev discuss setting up of EU-Kazakhstan Business forum
On the sidelines of the Europe-Asia ASEM summit, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed deepening bilateral cooperation, including the setting up of a future EU-Kazakhstan Business forum.
ASEM must prove its worth by managing simmering connectivity conflict
The Europe–Asia summit (ASEM) comes at the right time for European and Asian countries to develop a shared narrative and rationalize connectivity projects, write Maaike Okano-Heijmans, Wouter Zweers and Brigitte Dekker.
The Austrian view of the Bavarian election
Bavaria has voted. In neighbouring Austria, the result of this regional election is seen as providing confirmation of the political course taken in Austria after its own national elections last year. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Austria expresses concern at UN’s global compact for migration
190 states have agreed on a global compact for migration, which should be signed in December. However, some countries including Austria, have concerns. EURACTIV Germany reports.
What’s in the new German immigration law?
Last week, the German cabinet agreed the key points for a “skilled workers immigration law” from third countries. But what are its aims and what will change? EURACTIV Germany’s media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Hungary, Poland challenge EU’s posted workers reform in court
Hungary and Poland said on Thursday (4 October) they have gone to the European Court of Justice to challenge tighter European Union rules on the employment of workers from low-pay EU states.
Deputy mayor: A second bridge at Ruse-Giurgiu is a priority
Strahil Karapchanski, the deputy mayor of Ruse, the largest Bulgarian city on the Danube, told EURACTIV about the history, the present and his hopes for the future of cross-border regional cooperation with Romania, which he has helped to oversee.
Visegrad express railway project unveiled
Four Central European countries announced Monday (1 October) a plan to build a high-speed rail link between Budapest and Warsaw, said Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Rendi-Wagner wants to move Austrian social democrats to the centre
In Austria, Pamela Rendi-Wagner is the new woman leading the social democrats. But what does the largely unknown doctor stand for? EURACTIV Germany reports.
From Budapest to the Balkans, via Brussels
Macedonia is still going through a painful reconstruction as a society. But if we really believe that the Western Balkans region belongs in Europe, it is time to insist on respecting European values, writes Ivana Jordanovska.
Polish PM Morawiecki: The Commission is breaking the dialogue with Poland
The Polish government "is constantly discussing the law on the Supreme Court" while the European Commission had decided "on a step that would hamper this dialogue to some extent", Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Tuesday (September 25). EURACTIV Poland reports.
Visegrad’s place in the next EU Budget
Vladislava Gubalova argues that Visegrad countries should not be considered as having caught up with older EU members, while taking aim at Sofia for attracting too much financing.
Poland requests permanent US base, suggests naming it ‘Fort Trump’
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (18 September) the United States is considering a request from Poland for a permanent US military presence in the fellow NATO country, acknowledging that he shares Poland's concerns about possible Russian aggression.
Clouds are gathering over the Salzburg summit
Brexit, internal security and immigration: the items on the agenda of the informal European Council summit in Salzburg on Thursday (20 September) could lead to lively discussions. EURACTIV France reports.
Russians and the Hungarian golden visas
Hungary has sold visas to Russian businessmen in exchange for hundreds of thousands of euros. Permits were also given to the family of the Kremlin's foreign intelligence chief, who is covered by European sanctions. EURACTIV Poland's media partner Gazeta Wyborcza reports.
TRACECA could have been the backbone of Belt and Road
In the early 1990’s, the EU had actually paved the way for Euro-Asian connectivity programmes with TRACECA, a programme meant to promote regional transport dialogue. However, its attention to the initiative dwindled over the years, writes Nicola Contessi.
EU-Africa Summit to be held in December
When talk turns to Africa, people like to talk about the need for a Marshall Plan. In order to move from talking to taking action, the Austrian presidency of the council is now planning an EU-Africa Summit. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The Sargentini Report: A Christian dilemma
More than ever, Europe’s democratic values are under threat and the political developments in Hungary perfectly illustrate that. Hence the importance of this week's vote on Hungary in the European Parliament, writes Giulio Ercolessi.
EU supports Kazakh programme to educate Afghan women
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on Wednesday (5 September) announced a new €2 million programme that will train and educate Afghan women in Kazakhstan.
Poland’s push for Via Carpathia may boost cooperation in Eastern Europe
For a long time, Warsaw has been looking for opportunities to boost regional cooperation with neighbours. Now plans for the so-called Carpathian Strategy have gained the support of some countries in the region, paving the way for a series of joint projects partly funded by the EU.
Migration – the ‘mother of all problems’
The Federal Minister of Interior, Horst Seehofer, described Germany as “a divided country” and the issue of migration as “the mother of all political problems”. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Poland threatens to ignore rulings of EU’s top court
The European Court of Justice (CJEU) is investigating if the recently adopted legislation on the retirement age of Polish Supreme Court judges complies with EU law, but a top Polish official has hinted that the country might ignore future ECJ rulings in this matter.
Jan Kuciak murder: How free is the European press?
The murder of the Slovak journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kusnirova in February provoked a wave of anger, resulting in Prime Minister Robert Fico’s resignation. However, half a year later, the state of press freedom in the country is still in limbo.