Global Europe
AIDS fight falters, report says
For the first time the number of AIDS-related deaths has dropped below 1 million, according to a new report published by UNAIDS. However, progress is still too slow and as a result, 2020 HIV targets might not be reached. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Prankster strikes again, catches Juncker out on Putin, Trump
In a recorded telephone call with a prankster impersonating Armenia's new prime minister, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker described Russian President Vladimir Putin as his friend but said US President Donald Trump couldn’t understand what the world is about.
Greece-Russia ties shaken, Turkey pulls the strings
Systematic efforts to derail the Macedonian name deal, combined with increased Ankara-Moscow cooperation, are the main reasons that tensions between Greece and Russia have escalated of late, diplomatic sources told EURACTIV.com.
Migration can only be tackled by the EU as a whole
Without a shared EU foreign policy, the notion of halting future migration waves is unrealistic, write Ilhan Kyuchyuk and Samuel Doveri Vesterbye. Ilhan Kyuchyuk MEP (Bulgaria) is ALDE Vice President and Member of the European Parliament; Samuel Doveri Vesterbye is...
Putin says he warned Trump against closer NATO ties with Ukraine and Georgia
Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday (19 July) warned NATO against cultivating closer ties with Ukraine and Georgia, saying such a policy was irresponsible and would have unspecified consequences for the alliance.
Child malnutrition still prevalent in Chad’s capital
In the capital of Chad, N'Djamena, the Chad-China Friendship Hospital treats cases of acute malnutrition in young children, a countryside phenomena that has taken over the city in the past few years. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Montenegro says ‘contributes to peace’ in response to Trump attack
Montenegro defended yesterday (19 July) its contribution to peace in response to US President Donald Trump, who said the tiny Balkan nation's "aggressive" people were capable of triggering "World War III".
Trump threatens EU for ‘taking advantage’ of the US
US President Donald Trump yesterday (19 July) criticised the European Union over a record $5 billion fine EU antitrust regulators imposed on Google, saying the bloc was taking advantage of the United States.
Trump, Putin blame ‘forces in US’ for undermining Helsinki summit ‘success’
In separate statements on the same day (19 July), US President Donald Trump and his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin blamed forces within the United States for marring what they called the success of their first summit.
Tweets of the Week: Google fined, EU Japan signed, and Trump outcry
Welcome to EU Tweets of the Week. This week, Google hit with massive fine, Japan and EU sign on the line and Trump-Europe relationship in serious decline.
Commission half-heartedly condemns divisive Jewish nation-state law
The European Commission has expressed concern, but no clear condemnation, of a controversial “nation-state” law passed by the Parliament of Israel. The law states that only Jews have the right of self-determination in the country and strips Arabic of the status of an official language.
EU Commission gives nod to Kosovo visa liberalisation
The European Commission said on Wednesday (17 July) that Kosovo has met the remaining benchmarks to win visa liberalisation with the EU that other Western Balkan countries already enjoy.
France to help Serbia’s accession to EU, reforms needed beforehand
Paris wants to help Serbia solve its most delicate issues en route to the EU, French President Emmanuel Macron has told his Serbian counterpart. But Macron also said that both Serbia and the EU have to be reformed before any further EU enlargement. EURACTIV.rs reports.
EU must respond firmly to Tehran terror plot on European soil
The EU’s eagerness to further unconditional engagements with Iran seems to have only made Europe more vulnerable to state sponsored terrorism, writes Alejo Vidal-Quadras.
Radio Free Europe resumes broadcasts for Bulgaria, Romania
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has announced plans to re-launch news services in Bulgaria and Romania in a bid to strengthen the media landscape in both countries. In both cases, it marks a return for RFE/RL: the company previously served...
EU to deploy border guards in Macedonia to curb migrants
The European Union said it struck a deal on Wednesday (18 July) with Macedonia to deploy border guards to the non-EU Balkan state to help cope with any migrant surges. Serbia and Bosnia are expected to follow.
OSCE surprised by Russian intelligence penetrating its Ukraine mission
The OSCE mission monitoring the conflict in eastern Ukraine said yesterday (18 July) claims that Russia's security agency had received inside information about its activities came as a major blow.
EU and Ukraine in tug of war over Naftogaz unbundling
The European Commission has repeated its insistence on breaking up the Ukrainian national gas and oil monopoly Naftogaz, separating transmission from production and supply, which the country had agreed to as a condition for receiving massive Western financing.
Russian and Syrian authorities set up centre for refugees returning to Syria
Russia's Defence Ministry said yesterday (18 July) that Russian and Syrian authorities had set up a refugee centre in Syria to help refugees return home from abroad.
EIB cannot do business with Iran, bank chief warns
The European Investment Bank (EIB) would risk its business model if it invested in Iran, because of the sanctions the US reinstated after its withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the president of the EIB told the press on Wednesday (18 July).
EU is shutting out UK aid agencies, minister tells MPs
The UK’s development minister accused the European Commission on Tuesday (17 July) of discriminating against UK aid agencies, in a move that could scupper future partnerships after the UK leaves the EU.
EU begins screening Macedonia, Albania for mid-2019 accession talks
The European Union began screening the readiness of Balkan neighbours Macedonia and Albania yesterday (17 July) to start negotiations by June next year on joining the EU.
Belgium offered sweetener to pick up Eurofighter
Belgium is being offered a possible role in future European combat jet developments if it picks the Eurofighter Typhoon over the US-built F-35, in a fierce contest to rearm the country's air force, a senior official with Britain's BAE Systems said.