Med & South
‘Golden visas’ candidates should be thoroughly screened
The EU is bribing Libya to prevent desperate young men and women reaching the safety of our shores, while member states open wide their doors to corrupt foreign politicians who can buy ‘golden visas’, writes Ana Gomes.
Andrew Geddes: Shifting attitudes to migration starts with trusted political leaders
Ahead of the launch of the Observatory of Public Attitudes to migration, its director Andrew Geddes tells EURACTIV that a better understanding of attitudes can help craft informed policy debates and shift public attitudes on migration.
Czech interior minister: ‘Nobody has to call us for solidarity’
The Czech Republic has not relocated a refugee for more than a year and remains in breach of its legal obligations. The Czech position remains the same despite the ruling of the Court of Justice supporting the Commission's migrant relocation policy. EURACTIV.cz reports.
Report: EU capacity to promote ‘values’ in the developing world declining
To say the EU’s ability to promote values through external action is declining may be an understatement. This time the observation is made in a report aimed at improving and making more coherent Union diplomacy and the way the bloc's taxpayer money is spent.
Italy court deals blow to 5 Star ahead of Sicily vote
A court in Sicily has suspended the results of an internal primary ballot by the anti-establishment 5 Star Movement, potentially disrupting its bid to win control of the island in an election in November.
World Bank: More than reconstruction, post-conflict Syria will need development aid
The economic disorganisation of Syrian society, lost connectivity and destruction of business networks has an impact on GDP 20 times bigger than the destruction of buildings, World Bank officials have told EURACTIV.com.
Diverting EU aid to stop migration: The EU Trust Fund for Africa
Migrants have become the focus of the EU's aid strategy. As priority is given to stemming migrant flows in the short-term, long-term development goals are forgone, tarnishing the EU's image as a global development actor, writes Fanny Voitzwinkler.
Trans-Europe Express: Lega Nord Means Berlusconi
The Lega Nord has won the election. Or so one would be inclined to believe, surveying the stories on Italian politics published since August in the (mostly) UK press. A bit of Brexit projection, perhaps? Not exactly, but it can’t be excluded either.
France’s Macron urges continued EU ties with Turkey
French President Emmanuel Macron said Turkey remained a vital partner of the European Union and ties should be maintained even if the country had strayed from the EU path, according to a newspaper interview published on Thursday (7 September).
Trans-Europe Express: Erdogan is bad for everyone
He never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity. So went the Abba Eban-penned 1973 slogan used to describe the late PLO chief, Yasser Arafat, who was routinely blamed for failing to secure peace with Israel.
African and European leaders renew efforts to tackle migration
African and European leaders gathered in Paris on Monday (28 August) to broach the subject of migration, where support was expressed for moving the EU’s external border into Africa itself, so that asylum applications can be handled locally. EURACTIV France reports.
Macron to flesh out EU vision amid sliding popularity
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to flesh out his plans for Europe in a speech on Tuesday (29 August), after a weekend poll showed his "dissatisfaction rating" rising to 57%, up from 43% in July.
Researchers: Saudi-led coalition is responsible for Yemen’s health crisis
Severe food and medical shortages caused by two years of devastating war are having a major impact on everyday life in Yemen, where thousands of children starve to death, researchers have warned, pointing out the responsibility of Saudi Arabia.
Commission rolls out migration action plan despite heavy criticism
The EU is pressing on with controversial plans to tackle the migration crisis in the face of mounting criticism from NGOs and UN experts. EURACTIV France reports.
New crisis emerges as South Sudan refugees in Uganda hit one million
With the one millionth South Sudanese refugee having entered Uganda this week, there is a desperate need for action by the EU, relief organisation World Vision says in a new study.
Hague Court holds Islamist liable for €2.7 million damages after Timbuktu destruction
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled on Thursday (17 August) that a former Islamist rebel who was jailed for wrecking holy sites in Timbuktu was liable for €2.7 million in damages.
Turkey criticises Merkel, says Germany can’t dictate EU policy
Turkey's EU minister said on Thursday (17 August) that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's comments about halting the expansion of a customs union between Ankara and the European Union harmed the credibility of the bloc.
Migrant rescue NGO accuses the EU of ‘hiding the dirt’ under the Mediterranean
Speaking about the refugee crisis and the Lybian and Syrian conflicts, Óscar Camps, director of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms, accused the EU of “hiding the dirt under the carpet” of international waters in the Mediterranean sea. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Melilla: Spanish enclave in Morocco offers an exit route to Europe
Recent uprisings in the Moroccan region of Rif have transformed the city of Melilla, a Spanish enclave in Morocco, into an exit route for persecuted people seeking refugee status in the EU. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Italy minister sees light at the end of the tunnel on migrant flows
Italy's interior minister said on Tuesday (15 August) he saw light at the end of the tunnel for curbing migrant flows from Libya after a slowdown in arrivals across the Mediterranean in recent months.
Suspected jihadists kill 17 in attack on Burkina Faso restaurant
Suspected jihadists killed at least 17 people and wounded eight during a raid on a restaurant in Burkina Faso's capital, the communications minister said, as security forces sought to free people still trapped inside today (14 August).
Italy applauds Tripoli’s decision to keep NGO ships far away from Libyan coasts
The Italian government yesterday (13 August) welcomed Libya's decision to bar foreign vessels from a stretch of water off its coast, a move that has prompted almost all international charities to halt migrant search and rescue operations in the area.
Aid groups split over Italy’s new rules for migrant rescues
Five aid groups that operate migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean refused to sign up to the Italian government's code of conduct on Monday (31 July), the Interior Ministry said, but three others backed the new rules.
Italy joins France in warning Ankara about Cyprus gas drilling
Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti is paying a “symbolic” visit today (31 July) to Cyprus in light of oil and gas drilling that a consortium of France's Total and Italy's Eni is now carrying out in the region.