Med & South
Germany warns of ‘second Syria’ as EU hosts Libya PM
EU leaders met the head of Libya's UN-recognised government Wednesday (8 January) as they scramble to contain the escalating crisis there, with Germany warning the country could deteriorate into a "second Syria".
Tunisia denies joining a Turkey-led alliance in Libyan crisis
The Tunisian Presidency has denied claims that the country would join an alliance with Turkey and Algeria in light of the ongoing crisis in Libya and insisted it wanted to preserve its neutral status, without taking part in any coalitions.
Diplomacy heats up in the Mediterranean amid escalating Greece-Turkey row
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) recently signed between Turkey and Libya to demarcate maritime zones has shaken up politics in the Mediterranean, with Greece preparing a diplomatic counter-offensive.
Coal pollution in the Western Balkans is a European problem
16 coal plants in the Western Balkans pollute as much as the entire EU fleet of 250 units, causing sickness and deaths across the continent. It’s high time to take action, write Viola von Cramon and Petros Kokkalis.
Turkey-Libya Mediterranean deal is about energy and extending Ankara’s influence
Ankara’s moves in the Mediterranean Sea reflect President Erdoğan’s ambitions to make Turkey a leading country. But its unilateralism is unnecessarily aggravating tensions in the region and, as usual, leaves it to Brussels and Washington to sort it out, writes Henri J Barkey.
Germany proposes security zone for northern Syria
German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer on Monday (21 October) suggested the creation of a security zone in northern Syria to protect displaced civilians and ensure that the fight continues against Islamic State militia.
Morocco energy boss: We need to build electricity bridges between Europe and Africa
The solar thermal complex at Noor Ouarzazate in the Atlas mountains is at the heart of Morocco's renewable energy drive, producing over 580MW of electricity. Mustapha Bakhouri explains the country's plans to develop its renewable energy programme and build energy connections with Europe.
Italy lets French migrant ship dock to anger of far right
Charity rescue ship Ocean Viking headed towards the southern Italian port of Taranto on Tuesday (15 October) after the government gave it authorisation to bring 176 migrants ashore in a decision that angered the far-right League.
EU condemns Turkey’s military action, stops short of common arms embargo
EU foreign minister on Monday (14 October) unanimously condemned Turkey’s military action in north-eastern Syria, asking all member states to stop selling arms to Ankara. However, they stopped short of an EU-wide arms embargo that France and Germany had sought.
Germany’s conservative interior minister now a ‘refugee saviour’
Today, Germany's conservative interior minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) is travelling to Athens to prevent a situation like the 2015 refugee crisis to happen again. He is using the opportunity to work on his image as a 'problem-solver' and is even seeking Turkey's help. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Macron and Conte call for overhaul of EU migrant policy
The European Union must introduce a new, automatic system of taking in migrants saved from the Mediterranean, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Wednesday (18 September) as as they sought to patch up bruised bilateral relations.
Italy seizes migrant rescue vessel, another to disembark
Italian authorities on Monday (2 September) seized the rescue vessel Eleonore, disembarking the around 100 migrants aboard after it entered Italian territorial waters despite a ban.
Trump ready to meet Iranian president in potential breakthrough
US President Donald Trump said Monday (26 August) at the G7 summit that he is prepared to meet his Iranian counterpart within weeks in what would amount to a stunning change of direction in the two countries' smouldering standoff.
Iran’s Zarif makes surprise visit to G7 summit
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif flew into Biarritz in southwestern France for the G7 summit on Sunday (25 August) in a surprise attempt to break a diplomatic deadlock over Tehran's disputed nuclear programme.
Iranian tanker at centre of standoff with West leaves Gibraltar
The Iranian tanker caught in a standoff between Tehran and the West left Gibraltar on Sunday night, shipping data showed, hours after the British territory rejected a US request to detain the vessel further.
Spain makes new offer to migrant rescue boat off coast of Italy
Spain on Sunday (18 August) offered to allow a charity boat situated off the coast of Italy with more than 100 people on board to dock at the nearest Spanish port after the Open Arms charity rejected a plan to dock in Algeciras because it was too far away.
Six EU countries ready to take in migrants stranded off Italy
A 'coalition of the willing' of six EU member states have agreed to take some of the 147 migrants stranded on a rescue ship near the Italian island of Lampedusa, Rome announced Thursday (15 August), amid an immigration row between Italy's interior minister and premier.
Gibraltar decides to free seized Iranian tanker, US threatens sanctions on crew
Britain's Mediterranean territory Gibraltar decided on Thursday (15 August) to free a seized Iranian oil tanker, but did not immediately indicate when or if the ship would set sail after the United States launched a new, last-minute legal bid to hold it.
Greece calls on EU for fairer distribution of migrants
Greece on Monday (12 August) called on the EU for a fairer sharing of the migrant burden amid deep concern over a sharp increase in arrivals on some islands in recent weeks.
EU border force Frontex accused of allowing abuse of migrants
The EU's border force Frontex has allegedly been turning a blind eye to ill treatment of refugees by guards at EU external borders, according to media reports on Monday (5 August).
Italy’s government wins confidence vote on decree targeting migrant rescue ships
The Italian government on Monday (5 August) won a confidence vote in the Senate on a decree targeting charities operating migrant rescue ships, in a victory for Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and his far-right League party.
Macron pushes Libya ceasefire with Egypt leader
France's President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Egyptian leader Abdel Fattah al-Sisi about the situation in Libya calling for a ceasefire "very soon" between the warring sides, the French presidency said on Sunday (4 August).
Germany ‘very sceptical’ about US mission for Strait of Hormuz
Germany's Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday (31 July) he was very sceptical about a request by the United States to join a military mission for the Strait of Hormuz.