Global Europe
Civil Society – the EU’s best partner in Central Asia
The EU needs to put civil society at the heart of its strategy to rebuild its political presence in Central Asia, writes Barbara von Ow-Freytag.
Concessions to Russia will cost Europe too much
Europe’s strength lies in its unity and solidarity, but strength does not mean making concessions to an aggressor in a hope that it will become your friend: strength is to make the aggressor hange his behaviour, writes Mykola Tochytskyi. Mykola...
Time for Germany to get vocal on European security
Anna Wieslander offers her reflections on the Munich Security Conference, held last weekend against a backdrop of European confusion about its role in the world.
Fatnassia refugee camp will anger both Tunisians and Europeans
Tunisia has always publically refuted reports that it “promised” Europe to accept hosting on its soil refugees from different African countries, but the EU could seize the opportunity of a war in Libya to convince Tunisia to do so, writes Mourad Teyeb.
Mini-Schengen is not a ‘plan B’ for the Western Balkans
The idea of an inclusive regional Schengen and cooperation among the six Western Balkan countries, based on the four freedoms of the European Union, is not a replacement but the best way to prepare for EU accession, writes Edi Rama.
New chapter in EU-Africa relations can only succeed with support of civil society
Since the start of the new Commission, European leaders have switched gears to accelerate the advent of a new era of relations between the EU and Africa, writes Luca Jahier.
New membership forms solve EU challenges
Associate membership and other innovations could be used to break the log-jam and the EU's enlargement fatigue, giving the EU a chance to turn a “historic mistake” into a historic opportunity, writes Manfred Kohler.Promoted content
Fighting malnutrition: Golden Rice and the EU’s GMO conundrum
In the last two decades, the cultivation of genetically biofortified crops, such as Golden Rice, to help solve the global humanitarian crisis of “malnutrition” remains elusive. Let’s consider the facts.
(Yet) another ‘credible EU perspective’?
The European Commission’s new proposal for enhanced accession process of the Western Balkans is 'a small masterpiece of European compromise' that could foster momentum and reforms. But it still lacks details on funding and convergence and realistic target years, write Milena Lazarević, Sena Marić and Strahinja Subotić.
Why Belarus cannot replace Russian crude?
A month has passed since Russia withheld its regular oil supplies to Belarus, and the country is not out of the woods yet. Mateusz Kubiak argues that any diversification is likely to remain limited.
Five empty chairs remind of Cuba’s regime true nature
The EU needs to change strategy if it wishes to stand for democracy in Cuba, by opening up to independent civil society, write Anders L. Petersson and Erik Jennische.
EU needs to expand sanctions to Russian elites who are flying below the radar
Just like the United States has done, the EU must sanction Russians who have become rich by breaking the law or using force in their country, writes Anna Talimonchuk.
USA is increasingly problematic, EU should restore ties with Russia
Washington, the European Union’s main ally, has in recent years earned the reputation of a country that creates rather than solves problems. But the EU can now normalise and restore recently broken relations with Russia, which has been and will...Promoted content
Our pledge to fight global hunger
Although everyone can benefit from a healthier diet, the impact of good nutrition can be life-changing to vulnerable populations affected by malnutrition. Share your support on social media with #NutritionForZeroHunger.
After Berlin, the EU needs to translate commitments on Libya into actions
Following a positive Libya peace summit in Berlin, the EU needs to back up commitments with actions, although the path ahead remains fraught with difficulty, writes Tom Garofalo.
Kazakhstan-EU relations entering a new stage
This New Year marks the start of a fresh chapter in the relationship between the European Union and Kazakhstan and on 20 January, the EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Council will discuss the state of play, writes Mukhtar Tileuberdi.
Unilateral sanctions targeting Russia come at cost to transatlantic relationship
US sanctions designed to undermine Russian natural gas exports to Europe specifically target European-based companies at the risk of further weakening an already fragile US-European relationship, write Martin Jirušek and Robert Dillon.
Political reform in Kazakhstan is also an answer to a global problem
The recent reforms introducing more democracy in Kazakhstan are also an answer to a global problem – how to respond to the lack of public confidence in leadership around the world, writes Shavkat Sabirov.Promoted content
2020 – Twenty years of Huawei in Europe
Europe’s and Huawei’s joint journey is entering a new phase.
2020: Critical year for EU-China relations
2020 will be a decisive year for the EU’s relations with China and its success will largely depend on the fate of the long-running bilateral investment treaty negotiations, writes Fraser Cameron.Promoted content
Europe can spread its wings
2020 can be the year Europe opens a new chapter of its digital policy play book.
Serbia will not rush to join the EU until it is truly ready
As Serbia heads into an election year, the rhetoric of political parties rise. In an exclusive op-ed for EURACTIV.com, Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić says a fair election requires all parties to participate and present their vision in order to give people a real choice.
High geopolitics in the High North: A call for a deeper EU engagement
The Von der Leyen Commission begins its mandate at a time when Arctic geopolitics are at their most important since the Cold War. The EU needs to deepen its engagement in its own Arctic backyard, argue André Gattolin and Damien...