Global Europe
The Brief, powered by BSEF – Turkey threatens, Borrell smiles
On Monday (6 July), EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell met Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu, who publicly threatened the EU with retaliation if further sanctions are imposed on Ankara. The threat was met with a diplomatic appeal for dialogue, which - it is increasingly clear now - sometimes just doesn't cut it.
Nur-Sultan’s financial hub to be at heart of Kazakhstan’s recovery and greening
With the support of authorities and growing green credentials, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is well placed to play a key role in the country's recovery and sustainable economic development, experts say.
Germany spent over $1 billion to cover costs linked to US troops presence
Germany has spent more than $1 billion over the past decade to cover the costs related to the stationing of US troops on its territory, according to figures by the German finance ministry, which a key government official called "anything but too high", citing related economic benefits.
Siberian temperatures hit June record, fires spread
Temperatures in Arctic Siberia soared to a record average for June amid a heat wave that is stoking some of the worst wildfires the region has ever known, fresh EU data showed on Tuesday (7 July).
France, Germany seek to unfreeze stalled Kosovo-Serbia talks
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host together with the EU a video summit on Friday (10 July) between Serbia and Kosovo aimed at easing tensions between the Balkan rivals.
German government criticises Turkey’s Syria invasion
The Turkish invasion into the Kurdish region lacked "legitimacy under international law". Berlin's development ministry wants to help in northern Syria because of COVID-19. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Kazakhstan: recovery and renewal
As Kazakhstan faces a new wave on the pandemic that forced authorities to reimpose a two-week quarantine, the country ponders its future in a post-COVID-19 world.
Kazakhstan’s Nazarbayev turns 80 amid celebrations marred by new lockdown
Kazakhstan's veteran leader Nursultan Nazarbayev turns 80 on Monday (6 July) but the streets in the Central Asian country are set to be empty as a new period of lockdown begins and celebrations of his birthday and the 'national capital day', have been cancelled or moved online.
Green MEP: Migration pact could enshrine injustice in law
About a year ago, German captain Carola Rackete was arrested for docking 53 people rescued from a shipwrecked vessel in the port of Lampedusa, against the instructions of the Italian authorities. MEP Erik Marquardt spoke with EURACTIV Germany about what has changed since then and the role of civil society and politics.
The EU must oppose China’s interference in the Dalai Lama’s succession
Although Tibetans are known for being nonviolent, Tibet’s future will likely be turbulent if the Chinese government installs an illegitimate successor, writes Vincent Metten.
MEPs alarmed by ‘politically motivated persecution’ in Ukraine
"We are alarmed by continuous attempts to misuse the Ukrainian justice system for politically motivated persecution of political opponents," said lawmakers from the informal Friends of European Ukraine group in a statement on Friday (3 July).
Ukraine central bank governor’s resignation could jeopardise EU loan, Commission says
The EU's €1.2 billion macro-financial assistance (MFA) programme for Ukraine "could be jeopardised" should the International Monetary Fund (IMF) consider its programme with Kyiv "off-track" because of the recent resignation of the country's central bank governor, a Commission spokesperson told EURACTIV.
The Brief – Global Britain: We’re just not that into EU
As vacuous slogans go, ‘Global Britain’, launched when Theresa May took over Brexit Britain from David Cameron in 2016, has been hard to beat. In 2018, UK lawmakers urged the government to set out what its international partners could expect...
Global Europe Brief: Re-Open EU, ‘End of Hong Kong’ & Illegal visits
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. /// RE-OPENING EUROPE After quite some back and forth, the EU ultimately agreed on...
An unexpected pole position: The EU in the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue
To almost everybody’s surprise, the EU just regained the pole position in the dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade. But is the bloc sufficiently prepared for the race, asks Andreas Wittkowsky. Andreas Wittkowsky is the head of Project Peace and Security...
The pandemic in the Maghreb region: should Europe be worried?
Although the case numbers and death toll in the Maghreb remain low, Covid-19 threatens economic and political stability in the region. Should Europe be worried, questions James Moran.
Ukraine’s central bank governor resigns, citing ‘systematic political pressure’
Ukraine's central bank governor handed in his resignation on Wednesday (1 July) prompting worried responses from Western partners and casting a shadow on the country's new IMF loan program.
Turkish envoy says France suspending role in NATO naval mission
Turkey's ambassador to France on Wednesday (1 July) said that Paris had informed NATO it was suspending its involvement in a naval operation in the Mediterranean after a probe into an incident between French and Turkish warships did not back Paris' claims.
International donors pledge $7.7 billion in aid to Syria
International donors pledged $7.7 billion in aid to face the ongoing humanitarian crisis at a Syrian aid summit co-hosted by the EU and the United Nations on Tuesday (30 June).
France and Sahel leaders gather for summit on anti-jihad campaign
Leaders from five West African countries and their ally France gathered Tuesday (30 June) to take stock of a new strategy to intensify the fight against jihadist insurgents in the Sahel.
US influence wanes as China rises, according to a new transatlantic opinion poll
The pandemic may be quickly reshaping views of geopolitics, according to new polling data. More people in France, Germany and the US view China as the most influential world power, as US hegemony wanes. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU lifts travel restrictions for 15 third countries from 1 July, excluding the US
The EU agreed on Tuesday (30 June) on a 'safe travel list' including 15 third countries from where travel to Europe will be possible from 1 July, with the notable exception of the United States, where COVID-19 is still spreading.
Japanese EU ambassador: Hong Kong was promised liberal values
Tokyo is concerned about China’s actions in Hong Kong, which was promised in 1997 a “one country, two systems” based on liberal values, Japanese Ambassador to the EU Kazuo Kodama told EURACTIV.com ion a telephone interview.