Defence policy
Russia’s EU ambassador: The fall of the Berlin Wall was ‘a victory of common sense’
In a wide-ranging interview, Russia’s Ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov spoke about gas transit talks with Ukraine, NATO and EU enlargement, nuclear arms control, Russia’s sales of the S-400 anti-aircraft system, the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and Brexit.
Peace expert: EU’s soft power is most effecive when it is least used
Despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize five years ago, the EU is no longer "a great actor of peace". It should not rush into creating its own army unless the US decides to pull back its troops, Dan Smith told EURACTIV.com in an interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
NATO visionaries: Artificial intelligence has huge potential for future military capacity
The GLOBSEC NATO Adaptation Initiative, led by retired General John R. Allen, presented on Monday (27 November) its final report on the future of the Alliance. In a wide-ranging interview, EURACTIV.com spoke to General Allen and Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, former Deputy Secretary-General of NATO.
Bulgarian President: I may be a general, but I don’t like warlike rhetoric
In a wide-ranging interview, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, whose country takes over the EU's rotating six-month Presidency in January, discussed European policies, the upcoming Bulgarian Presidency, and his contradictions with Prime Minister Boyko Borissov.
Finnish President: What is a union that cannot provide security for its citizens?
Finland's President Sauli Niinistö does not rule out a common foreign policy, which would make the European Union a global player. In an interview with EURACTIV’s media partner Gazeta Wyborcza, he speaks about security threats on the eastern border and his support for deeper integration in security and defence policy.
Estonian ambassador: Trump is right, Europe should pay for own defence
Estonian Ambassador to Poland Harri Tiido explained the priorities of his country’s EU Presidency and talked about the current challenges facing Europe, in an interview with EURACTIV.pl.
Clinton advisor: Hillary had a plan to ‘help support the European project’
EXCLUSIVE / Julianne Smith was the head of Hillary Clinton’s Europe team during last year's presidential campaign. In an interview with EURACTIV.com, she said Hillary had a dedicated team and a detailed strategy for Europe ready to start from day one in the White House.
Attali: Europe is world’s biggest power but does not recognise it
Other world powers would be happy to see the EU fall apart. A defence union would stop this from happening and prevent Europe sliding back into conflict, Jacques Attali said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
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.
Ex-VP: Taiwan must become ‘neutral Switzerland’ of Asia-Pacific
To avoid China taking over Taiwan, and ease tensions in the South China Sea, Taiwan should become a permanent neutral nation like Switzerland, former Taiwanese vice-president Annette Hsiu-lien LU told EURACTIV in an interview.
German public ‘misled’ on weapon exports
Germany recently released its report on arms exports, which showed that sales have nearly doubled, despite promises to scale back the number and value of weapons being sent abroad. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Conflict analyst: EU would have ‘second most powerful military on Earth’
The EU would have "the second most powerful military" in the world if its members pooled its resources, insisted the co-director of the Institute of Studies on Conflict and Humanitarian Action in an interview with EURACTIV Spain.
Solana: A wake-up call for a European Defence Union
After years of focusing on the economic crisis, the European Union should become aware again that it also has other responsibilities, says former EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana in an interview with EURACTIV Germany.
Vimont: EU shouldn’t underestimate its soft power
Despite the EU’s difficulties to get its voice heard on the Syria crisis, Pierre Vimont argues that the 28-country bloc should not underestimate its soft power footprint: “I don’t pretend that we’re doing as much as we’d like, but we’re as active as possible, at least in our neighbourhood.”
Grybauskait?: Lithuania aims for a ‘trustworthy’ presidency
Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite says her country's first time at the helm of the EU will be "a presidency you can rely on. We will deliver what we promise to deliver,” she tells EURACTIV in an exclusive interview. Lithuania succeeds Ireland on Monday (1 July) in the six-month presidency.
Professor: EU works well even without Lisbon Treaty
The EU continues to function just as well as before enlargement, according to Professor Anand Menon from the European Research Institute at the University of Birmingham. Speaking to EURACTIV.sk in an interview, he said an important innovation of the Lisbon Treaty is the "yellow card procedure", which would give national parliaments a say on draft Commission proposals.