Global Europe
European army: No longer a taboo subject
Both Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron mentioned the idea of creating a real European army around 11 November. This unprecedented convergence of French and German thoughts and words, which incurred the wrath of America, marks a turning point. EURACTIV France reports.
EU to ‘review’ support to Tanzania over rights concerns
The European Union is reviewing its financial support to Tanzania in response to recent moves undermining "human rights and the rule of law".
EU ministers to discuss militarisation of Azov Sea
EU foreign ministers will discuss a range of issues in Brussels on Monday (19 November), including for the first time the militarisation of the Azov Sea, which according to diplomats has been effectively blockaded by Russia.
Madeira: An island of refuge for Venezuelans of Portuguese origin
No one knows the exact figure but the authorities in Madeira consider that about 6,000 Venezuelans of Portuguese descent have taken refuge on their island, where they found themselves in an extremely precarious situation. Euroefe reports.
MEPs call for stricter control on arms exports
EU lawmakers stressed on Wednesday (14 November) the need for tougher checks on EU arms exports and demanded a sanction mechanism to be put in place on those countries that systematically fail to comply with common criteria.
European court says Navalny was a political prisoner
The European Court of Human Rights ruled on Thursday (15 November) that Russia’s repeated arrests and detention of opposition leader Alexei Navalny were politically-motivated and breached his human rights, a decision certain to displease the Kremlin.
The Brief, powered by EUSALT – Trump ain’t stupid
The Brussels bubble assumes many things, and one of them is that Donald Trump is some sort of a clumsy idiot. This edition of The Brief begs to differ...
Kazakhstan suggests hosting OSCE forum to bolster global security
The president of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has warned of a risk to post-World War II order and proposed that his country host a conference of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2020 with the purpose of “updating” the 1975 Helsinki Final Act of the then CSCE.
South-East Europe needs zero-priced capital to boost growth
The region of former Yugoslavia and Albania has long ago been swallowed up by the EU. Yet, it is doomed to permanent marginalisation unless the EU does not open its structural and cohesion funds, or provide other source of zero-priced capital, writes Dušan Reljić.
Wanted former Macedonian PM seeking asylum in Hungary
Macedonia's former prime minister Nikola Gruevski, who has been sentenced to jail for abuse of power, said on Tuesday (13 November) he was in Hungary where he has requested political asylum.
Trump tweet-strafes Macron as Europe moves on defence without US
Donald Trump on Tuesday (13 November) unleashed an extraordinary attack on Emmanuel Macron, mocking the French president's approval rating and lashing him over European defence proposals which enjoyed a crucial new boost from Germany.
In Strasbourg, Merkel brings European army one step further
In an eagerly awaited speech on the future of Europe before what she called 'the biggest democratic parliament of the world', German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Tuesday (13 November) for a "real, true European army" and a common asylum framework.
Opposition chief Navalny barred from leaving Russia, departs on second try
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Tuesday (13 November) he was prevented from flying out of Moscow for a European court ruling on whether his recent detentions have been politically motivated.
Paris Peace Forum harbours ambition to become annual gathering
It was billed as a "Davos for democracy". But will the newly launched Paris Peace Forum, the latest addition to international conferencing, have an impact?
US belittles EU’s ‘special purpose vehicle’ as companies flee Iran
The United States is not too concerned by Europe's idea for a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to get around US sanctions with Iran as companies are already withdrawing from the country in droves, the senior official for financial intelligence said.
EU auditors praise refugee assistance to Turkey despite irregularities
The Facility for Refugees in Turkey “swiftly” addressed people’s needs, stated a report by the European Court of Auditors published on Tuesday (13 October), but stressed there were some irregularities in tracking the EU funds.
US join EU in condemning ‘sham’ Donbas elections
The United States on Monday (12 November) dismissed leadership elections in separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine as a "sham" one day after voters cast their ballots.
Stoltenberg opposes EU defence duplicating NATO, Putin likes the idea
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Europe against undermining transatlantic ties, following a defence spat between US President Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron.
As Brazil moves right, what is left for Europe in Latin America?
Brazilian foreign policy under new President Jair Bolsonaro won’t focus on cooperation with neighbours in Latin America, so the EU should double down on its flexible approach to Latin America, says Gustavo Müller.
The Brief, powered by EUSALT- Beggars Banquet
Imagine if world leaders travelled back in time, about a hundred years. Imagine Merkel’s Germany waging a war against Macron’s France, with thousands dying in muddy trenches across Europe daily. Not easy, right? Europe has come a long way since...
Macron between patriotism and pro-European sentiment at Armistice centenary
Whether he was in Paris on 11 November, or Les Éparges, the site of a bloody battle between the French and the Germans, or in Verdun with secondary school pupils, Emmanuel Macron’s “memorial itinerary” was set against the background of Europe’s future and the European elections. EURACTIV France reports.
Universal electricity access goal set to be missed, new report reveals
The international community is falling well short of providing the cash needed to ensure universal access to electricity by 2030, according to a report released Monday (12 November).
Pakistan, democracy and the demise of the independent press
Pakistan's new military-supported government is targeting independent media and poses a grave threat to the country's democracy, writes Shada Islam.