Global Europe
EU warns China against Hong Kong election rules change
The European Union warned China on Friday (5 March) that it may take "additional steps" in response to Beijing's move to grant itself a veto over the selection of Hong Kong lawmakers.
Global Europe Brief: Military mobility on the move
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Global Europe Brief, your weekly update on the EU from the global perspective. You can subscribe here. /// EDITOR’s TAKE Military mobility has been seen as the ‘silver bullet’ for EU-NATO defence cooperation, meant to ensure seamless movement...
Foreign fighters: Belgium to repatriate children and some mothers held in Syria
Belgium will repatriate children detained in a Syrian refugee camp to meet a 2019 court order, along with some mothers on a case by case basis, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo said on Thursday (4 March).
Kremlin urges France and Germany to stop Ukraine conflict crossing ‘dangerous line’
The Kremlin on Thursday (4 March) urged France and Germany to use their influence with the Ukrainian government to make sure that events in the part of eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian-backed rebels did not “cross a dangerous line”.
Australia asks European Commission to review Italy’s vaccine block
Australia has asked the European Commission to review a decision by Italy to block a shipment of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine, while stressing on Friday (5 March) the missing doses would not affect the rollout of Australia's inoculation programme.
Myanmar diplomatic revolt against junta widens after violent crackdown
Myanmar's junta lost a tug of war over leadership of its UN mission in New York and the United States unveiled new sanctions targeting military conglomerates after the deaths of dozens of civilians protesting against last month's coup.
Israel, Denmark, Austria agree deal for vaccine development
Leaders from Israel, Austria and Denmark announced Thursday (4 March) in Jerusalem an alliance for the development and production of future generation coronavirus vaccines, a deal that has already sparked criticism in Europe.
‘The EU cannot defend Europe’: NATO chief
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned Thursday (4 March) that Europe's defence depends on close transatlantic bonds and not on a quest for the continent's strategic autonomy.
Turkey has stopped insulting us but action still needed, France says
Turkey has stopped insulting France and the European Union, providing some reassurance, but ties will remain fragile until it takes concrete action, France's foreign minister said.
Athens and Cairo mull changing the route of EastMed pipeline
Greece and Egypt are discussing the possibility of changing the route of East-Med gas pipeline in order to tackle the technical difficulties of the project as well as respond to the question of its economic viability.
US hails German plan to send warship in China Sea
The United States on Wednesday (3 March) hailed plans by NATO ally Germany to sail a warship across the contested South China Sea, calling it welcome support for a "rules-based international order" in the region.
How to solve the Nord Stream 2 dilemma
If Gazprom could be persuaded to increase gas transit revenues for Ukraine, that would give the Biden administration a reason not to impose sanctions to block Nord Stream 2’s completion and ammunition to fend off criticism from those who want...Editor's picks
What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic
The Arctic is once again at the centre of geopolitical and strategic discussions, mainly for one reason - climate change - and it is imperative to act now, write Virginijus Sinkevičius and Boris Herrmann.
Israeli critics warn EU against legitimising Palestinian ‘vaccination apartheid’
A group of prominent Israelis have warned Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz not to cooperate with Israel on vaccines, citing what they termed vaccination “apartheid” vis-à-vis the country’s Palestinian population.
‘Clumsy’ resolution risks alienating EU from Kazakhstan, MEP says
The European Parliament's recent resolution on Kazakhstan is "clumsy" and detrimental both for the bilateral relations and the credibility of the EU, Bulgarian MEP Ivo Hristov (S&D) told EURACTIV on Wednesday (3 March).
Political commitments not enough to ratify EU-Mercosur deal, says French minister
Mere "political commitments" will not be enough to ratify the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries, a French cabinet minister told the informal foreign affairs trade council on Tuesday (2 March), citing environmental and agricultural concerns. EURACTIV France reports.
UN advance team arrives in Libya to monitor ceasefire
The advance team of a UN observer mission has arrived in Libya, which after a decade of conflict and chaos plans to hold elections in December, informed sources said Wednesday (3 March).
Russia warns West after ‘unacceptable’ sanctions
Moscow hit back at Western countries Wednesday for sanctioning senior Russian officials over the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, warning its foes "not to play with fire".
EU ambassador leaves Venezuela after expulsion order
The EU’s ambassador to Venezuela left the South American country on Tuesday (2 March) after she was expelled last week over a diplomatic spat related to new sanctions. Isabel Brilhante Pedrosa, who is Portuguese, left Venezuela aboard a Turkish Airlines...
US, EU impose sanctions on Russia for Navalny poisoning, jailing
The United States on Tuesday (2 March) imposed sanctions to punish Russia for what it described as Moscow’s attempt to poison opposition leader Alexei Navalny with a nerve agent last year, in President Joe Biden’s most direct challenge yet to...
EU to assess progress in Georgia mediation talks on 15 March
After his unexpected visit to Tbilisi to mediate the deepening political crisis in Georgia, European Council President Charles Michel said progress in talks between the ruling party and the opposition will be assessed in two weeks.
US to impose sanctions on Russia for Navalny poisoning: report
US President Joe Biden's administration is preparing to impose sanctions on Russia for the poisoning and imprisonment of Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, CNN reported Monday.
The Brief, powered by FACEBOOK – Vaccine geopolitics
In any civilisation, one commodity is more precious than the others, and it naturally becomes the bedrock of power. Could be salt, could be gold, could be the US dollar. Now it’s the COVID-19 vaccines.