Global Europe
NATO calls on EU to expand joint cooperation but avoid doubling structures
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called on the EU on Friday (22 October) to cooperate more closely with the military alliance after the latest EU defence efforts in recent months raised concerns of a parallel structure that might be competing with NATO.
Taiwan delegation irks China with eastern Europe tour
A Taiwanese government delegation is visiting three eastern EU members to the dismay of China, which is irritated by any signs of Taiwan acting as an independent country.
With Xi-Biden telco, US aims to show responsible handling of China ties
White House officials are gearing up for a virtual meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping they hope will show the world Washington can responsibly manage relations between the rival superpowers, people familiar with the matter say.
Putin says Western military backing of Ukraine threatens Russia
President Vladimir Putin said that the Western-backed military development of Ukraine posed a serious threat to Russia, two days after the US defense secretary staged a show of support for Kyiv and encouraged its aspiration to join NATO.
EU leaders to discuss stronger response on migration against Belarus backdrop
With EU leaders set to discuss migration and the situation at the EU's eastern border with Belarus on Friday, Eastern Europeans are expected to ask for a review of the bloc's legislation to reflect the ongoing crisis.
Erdogan threatens to expel 10 Western envoys
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday (21 October) threatened to expel the US, German and eight other Western ambassadors after they issued a rare joint statement in support of a jailed civil society leader.
Biden says United States would come to Taiwan’s defense
The United States would come to Taiwan's defense and has a commitment to defend the island, US President Joe Biden said, though the White House said later there was no change in policy towards the island.
Vaccine waiver battle rumbles into EU–African Union summit
EU and African officials are still at loggerheads over whether to waive intellectual property protection for COVID vaccines ahead of a meeting between EU and African Union foreign ministers meet in Rwanda next week.
Turkey’s Erdogan puts Europe’s colonial past at heart of pivot to Africa
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised Europe’s colonial past as he launched a new pitch for his country to rival Europe in the race to increase trade and investment ties with Africa.
India reaches milestone of one billion vaccinations
India’s Covid-19 vaccination drive has achieved a historic milestone of administering 1 billion vaccine doses, mostly India-made, the authorities in New Delhi announced on Thursday (21 October).
China vows to open up market, but US sees no change
China on Wednesday (20 October) promised the World Trade Organization it would further open its vast market, but the United States swiftly countered that Beijing showed "no inclination to change".
Russia says Putin won’t fly to Glasgow, in blow for climate talks
Russia delivered a blow to hopes of a breakthrough international deal on climate change when the Kremlin said on Wednesday (20 October) that President Vladimir Putin would not fly to Scotland for talks starting at the end of this month.Editor's picks
Taiwan foreign minister adds Slovakia to rare Europe trip
Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu will visit Slovakia next week on a rare trip to Europe that will also include a trip to the neighbouring Czech Republic and a virtual address to a forum in Rome, his ministry said.
EU, US warn about ‘divisive rhetoric’ in Bosnia, urge dialogue
The United States and the European Union voiced support on Wednesday (20 October) for Western Balkan countries' efforts to join the EU but expressed concern about "increasingly divisive rhetoric" in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
NATO to focus on hybrid warfare, how to deter Russia
NATO defence ministers are set to adopt a number of strategy papers and agree on a new master plan on Thursday (21 October) on how to defend against any potential Russian hybrid attack, diplomats and officials said.OpinionStakeholder Opinion
Uzbekistan-EU cooperation moves into new qualitative stage
For Uzbekistan, relations with the EU now and in the future remain the most important direction of the foreign policy strategy, writes Eldor Aripov, on the eve of the 24 October presidential elections in the Central Asian country.
Russia’s Navalny wins EU human rights prize
Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was awarded the European Parliament's annual human rights prize on Wednesday (20 October) for his efforts to challenge President Vladimir Putin's grip on powe
Georgia medics recommend hospitalisation for hunger-striking Saakashvili
Georgia's jailed ex-president and opposition leader Mikheil Saakashvili on Wednesday (20 October) vowed to keep refusing food in prison after doctors recommended that he be hospitalised.
EU candidate Serbia misaligned with EU foreign policy, Commission says
In its annual report monitoring Serbia's progress toward EU accession, the European Commission highlighted Belgrade's significant misalignment with EU foreign and security policy.
Europe’s gas supply squeeze engineered by Russia, Poland says
Statements from Russian officials linking an increase of gas deliveries to Europe with the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline are “manipulative” and aimed at cementing Gazprom’s dominant position on the EU gas market, Poland has argued in a letter to the European Commission.OpinionPromoted content
Only if we fight poverty Due Diligence legislation will become effective
To be effective, the upcoming mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) legislation must improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and workers and take their interests into account. Partnerships with producing countries are essential, and the Duty to Collaborate must become the 4th pillar of the UN Guiding Principles.
America’s new instrument in the Balkans
The ‘European way’ in the Balkans has led to an excessive waste of time in achieving the strategic goals of bringing the region into the Western structures, and consequently, the new US administration will now try to make up for it, writes Orhan Dragaš.
Ukraine: China’s new bridge to Europe?
One of the reasons behind the recent rapprochement between Ukraine and China is related to the transformation of Ukraine into one of the gate countries of the Belt and Road Initiative, writes Yunis Sharifli.