Global Europe
EU launches new COVID-19 fundraising to address concerns over equal access
The European Commission launched a new global fundraising campaign on Thursday (28 May) to finance the development and worldwide distribution of testing, vaccines and treatments against COVID-19, seeking to address concerns they may not be equally shared.
Borrell: US ending nuclear waivers means harder to check Iran
The European Union's foreign policy chief on Thursday (28 May) condemned Washington's move to end sanction waivers for countries remaining in the Iran nuclear accord, warning it would make it harder to keep Tehran in check.
Breton: With better information from China and WHO, we would have been better prepared
Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, told EURACTIV.com in an interview that Europe could have been better prepared to face the COVID-19 if China and the World Health Organisation had offered “better and more reliable information earlier”.
The EU steps up for a more equal post-corona future
The EU's ambitious new budget proposal to drive recovery following the coronavirus pandemic is a good start. But long-term investment will also be needed in health, social protection, and human development, writes Emily Wigens.
China: One of Germany’s EU presidency priorities
EU-China relations will be one of Germany's EU presidency priorities in foreign policy matters, with an overall objective of "strengthening Europe as an anchor of stability in the world," said Chancellor Angela Merkel. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Some 50 world leaders call for post-pandemic development cooperation
World leaders on Thursday (29 May) called for resilience and cooperation after the pandemic recedes, during a UN videoconference in which the United States, China and Russia did not participate.
Germany calls in Russian envoy, seeks sanctions over hacking
Germany's foreign ministry on Thursday (28 May) called in the Russian ambassador to discuss possible sanctions over a 2015 hacking attack on the German parliament, in an escalating diplomatic row.
Global Europe Brief: Europe’s China headache
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Global Europe Brief, your weekly update on the EU in the global perspective from our foreign affairs news team: Georgi Gotev and Alexandra Brzozowski. You can subscribe here. /// IN SEARCH OF A CHINA STRATEGY Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit globally,...
Disarmament expert: EU isn’t doing enough on arms control
Europe is a hotspot for nuclear weapons and has put the safety of its citizens in the hands of Trump and Putin. Instead, it needs to take the lead in the campaign towards nuclear disarmament, Beatrice Fihn told EURACTIV in...
Scientists warn of ‘zombie fires’ in the Arctic
Dormant "zombie fires" scattered across the Arctic region – remnants of record blazes last year – may be coming to life after an unusually warm and dry Spring, scientists warned Wednesday (27 May).
EU must play global role in virus crisis, says Merkel
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday (27 May) said the European Union should take more global responsibility in the coronavirus crisis, especially as ties with the United States were currently "difficult".
Approval of Trump’s COVID-19 response stays steady as death toll surpasses 100,000
Public approval of President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic remained steady this week as the number of US deaths from the illness surpassed 100,000, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Wednesday (27 May).
US military says Russia flew 14 MiG 29s and Su-24s to Libya
Russian military personnel flew MiG 29 and SU-24 fighter planes to a Libyan airbase escorted by other Russian fighter jets, the US military said on Wednesday (27 May), detailing a deployment of air power that could have a big impact on Libya’s war.
Defence and security win battle but not war, in EU budget plans
While the new EU budget proposal charts an improvement from the European Commission’s previously planned outlay for the bloc’s defence initiatives, it still remains far from original ambitions. On Wednesday (27 May), the European Commission increased the total financial firepower...
Putin sets new date for Red Square military parade postponed over coronavirus
President Vladimir Putin set a new date of 24 June for a grand Red Square military parade he was forced to postpone over a coronavirus outbreak that is still triggering thousands of new infections each day.
Wong: EU should hurry up on Magnitsky Act to save Hong Kong
The EU should adopt a firm stance against China's recent plans for national security legislation in Hong Kong by hurrying to establish a 'Magnitsky-style' framework for human rights abuses, leading pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has told EURACTIV.
Kosovo president rejects EU mediator for talks with Serbia
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said on Tuesday (26 May) he would not take part in talks on normalising ties with Serbia led by an European Union special mediator, calling instead for an increased US role in the dialogue.
World countries and institutions pledge €3.1 bn for Venezuelan refugees
A virtual International Donors Conference in solidarity with Venezuelan refugees and migrants raised €3.1 billion Tuesday (26 May) from more than 60 countries and institutions to assist the displaced population of the South American country. “We have to be proud...
Ukraine is getting itself into US election troubles
Ukraine is losing friends: among other mistakes, by playing internal politics, the country’s President has taken sides in the US elections, which may be disastrous for the country in the future, writes Pavlo Fedykovych.
EU police forces to employ anti-drone guns ‘illegal’ in the US
EU police forces are set to roll out Australian-made anti-drone weaponry, in order to help eliminate national security threats. However, the technology in question is prohibited by federal law in the United States.
Building a prosperous, democratic and outward-looking Georgia
Safety requires cancelling public festivities but Georgians are marking their National Day by celebrating individually in their hearts and standing together in solidarity, writes David Zalkaliani.
EU needs ‘more robust’ China strategy, says bloc’s chief diplomat
The EU must adopt a "more robust" strategy to deal with an increasingly assertive China, the EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell said on Monday (25 May), ahead of a scheduled meeting of EU foreign ministers meant to discuss EU-China strategy later this week.
China warns US pushing relations to ‘brink of new Cold War’
The United States is pushing relations with China to "the brink of a new Cold War", China's foreign minister said Sunday (24 May), rejecting US "lies" over the coronavirus while saying Beijing was open to an international effort to find its source.