Med & South
Visegrad leaders say EU must show more support for Israel
The EU should better appreciate Israel’s key role in Middle Eastern stability, leaders of the Visegrad Four nations said yesterday (19 July) in a joint attack with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Brussels’ current policy towards the Jewish state.
Italy may issue temporary visas for migrants, in “tug of war” with EU
Italy is considering issuing temporary visas that would allow migrants to travel around the European Union, in a move intended to pressure its EU neighbours to do more to help ease the migration crisis.
Europe’s contribution to resolving the Qatar crisis
The European Commission and the European Parliament could play a role in overcoming the current crisis involving Qatar, especially since the USA is not in a good shape to play this role, writes Dr Ahmed Al Hamli.
EU sanctions 16 more Syria officials over chemical weapons use
The European Union imposed sanctions on Monday (17 July) against another 16 high-ranking Syrian military officials and scientists for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against civilians, the bloc said in a statement.
Trans-Europe Express: Will the EU ever get the Western Balkans right?
The EU's fast-and-loose approach to the Western Balkans has never been more evident than in the last few years.
Italy proposes Libya pact to curb illegal migration
Italian Interior Minister Marco Minniti on Thursday (13 July) proposed a pact with Libya to combat human trafficking during a visit to Tripoli to meet mayors of cities affected by the scourge.
Greece-Turkey tensions mount over plan to start Cyprus gas drilling
As Cyprus prepares to start offshore drilling for gas in its economic zone, Turkey announced it was readying "countermeasures" and Greece replied it was "ready to defend its sovereign rights", in a clear sign of growing tensions between the two NATO members.
Balkans can help EU ‘feel attractive’ after Brexit, Macedonia says
Dented by Brexit, the European Union should seize on the hunger of Balkan nations for membership as an opportunity to "feel attractive", Macedonia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday (12 July).
France to boost refugee aid, deport economic migrants
France will cut processing time for asylum requests and boost housing for refugees while "systematically" deporting illegal economic migrants, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said on Wednesday (12 July).
NGOs say Italy’s ‘code of conduct’ threatens migrants’ lives
Thousands more refugees could be at risk of dying at sea if a proposed ‘code of conduct’ for NGOs conducting search and rescue operations in the Central Mediterranean is put into practice, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday (12 July).
UK parliament says ‘Sophia’ saves lives, but has not stopped migrant smuggling
The European Union's Mediterranean naval force has failed to stop migrants from making the perilous sea journey to Europe and should not continue operating in its current form, British lawmakers said on Wednesday (12 July).
Mogherini, Lavrov agree to disagree on EU-Russia issues
EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday (11 July) said both sides could cooperate on key international issues but traded barbs over Syria at the same time.
Ireland seeks approval to join EU naval mission
Ireland will on Tuesday (11 July) decide whether to join the European Union’s Mediterranean naval mission, Operation Sophia.
EU hails liberation of Mosul from Islamic State
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on Sunday (9 July) hailed the liberation of Mosul, Iraq’s second city, as a decisive step in the campaign to eliminate terrorist control in parts of the country and to free its people.
Migrants once again drawn to deadly Spanish route to Europe
The number of migrants arriving on Spain's southern coast has more than doubled in 2017 compared to last year, as they avoid passing through conflict-wracked Libya on their way to Europe.
Russia and China block G20 efforts to sanction people smugglers
An EU proposal to impose sanctions on smugglers that bring migrants from Africa was opposed by Russia and China, officials involved in the G20 talks told EURACTIV.
No new measures to help Italy adopted at Tallinn ministerial meeting
EU interior ministers yesterday (6 July) gathered in the Estonian capital Tallinn pledged to back an urgent European Commission plan to help crisis-hit Italy, which has been overwhelmed by a wave of migrants arriving by sea from North Africa, but adopted no new measures.
Energy giants bank on Qatar in LNG price war, despite political crisis
The West's three biggest energy corporations are lobbying Qatar to take part in a huge expansion of its gas production, handing Doha an unintended but timely boost in its bitter dispute with Gulf Arab neighbors.
‘Kamikaze’ bikers linked to Belgian anti-terror swoop
Belgian prosecutors said on Wednesday (5 July) that four people had been detained after automatic weapons were found in house searches in Brussels as part of a counter-terrorism investigation overnight.
Turkey rapporteur: ‘We are sending a very bad signal to the Balkans’
Turkey has lost interest in accession. Yet the EU continues to believe that it can use the process as leverage, Kati Piri told EURACTIV Slovakia.
Commission unveils migrant ‘action plan’ for Italy
The European Commission on Tuesday (4 July) unveiled a new plan to help Italy cope with a massive fresh influx of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, mostly Africans setting sail from Libya.
Algeria to grant legal status to African migrants
Algeria plans to grant residency rights and job permits to illegal African migrants, responding to a shortage of workers in farming and construction while also seeking to combat a surge in racist sentiment.
France, Germany pledge more support for Italy on migrants, offer vague
France, Germany and the EU executive on Monday (3 July) promised Italy more support in handling the influx of migrants arriving by boat from Africa, agreeing to bolster training and funding for Libya's coastguard and to relocate asylum seekers more swiftly.
Macron in Mali for diplomatic push on Sahel anti-jihadist force
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday (2 July) threw his weight behind a planned Sahel force to fight jihadists on a lightning visit to Mali but told countries in the region their efforts had to bear fruit.