Med & South
End of the halloumi protection saga brings prospects of peace in Cyprus
The importance of the freshly awarded EU protection for halloumi cheese goes beyond its food implication: key political actors have seen it as a historic opportunity to enhance economic cooperation and bring the two national communities in Cyprus closer.
Charles Michel vows support to Libya’s interim government
European Council President Charles Michel offered support to Libya Sunday (4 April) on a visit to Tripoli, as the North African nation seeks to end a decade of chaos following a NATO-backed 2011 revolt.
EU efforts to observe the Palestinian election fall flat
Israel has so far failed to respond to the European Union’s request to monitor the first Palestinian elections in 15 years, EURACTIV has learned, significantly reducing the chances of ensuring an adequate observer presence at this key milestone.
Netanyahu’s future uncertain amid Israeli election stalemate
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s prospects for another term looked uncertain on Wednesday (24 March) after partial results from a national election projected no clear path to victory.
Cementing Merkel’s foreign policy legacy
Germany’s involvement in Libya was not a legacy policy but a reflection of how many of its foreign policy pillars were shaken by events across the Mediterranean, writes Tarek Megerisi, calling for Italy and France to work alongside Germany in creating a unified and credible approach to help Lybia.
Israelis vote on Netanyahu again, after vaccination success
Israelis began voting on Tuesday (23 March) on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political survival in a fourth election in two years, with the veteran leader hoping his role in a rapid COVID-19 vaccine campaign will win him another term.
The EU needs to take its seat at the Cyprus negotiation table
The long history of negotiations on the Cyprus question has been unforgiving to its actors, hence the infamous characterisation of it as the “graveyard of diplomats”, littered with tombstones. It need not be this way, writes Cypriot Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides.
EU to extend Libya arms embargo mission to 2023
The EU will extend for two years its military mission in the Mediterranean policing the UN arms embargo on conflict-wracked Libya, senior EU officials said Wednesday (17 March). The bloc’s member states are set to “adopt a decision next week...
Egypt says Turkish ‘words not enough’ to restore full ties
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry acknowledged Sunday (14 March) that diplomatic contact had been established with Turkey but warned full ties would depend on "a real change in Turkish policy", state media reported.
Kosovo opens embassy in Jerusalem
Kosovo said Sunday (14 March) it had officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem after becoming the first Muslim-majority territory to recognise the city as Israel's capital.
Palestinians and Arab League condemn opening of Czech Jerusalem office
The Palestinian Authority and the Arab League on Saturday (13 March) condemned the Czech Republic's opening of a diplomatic office in Jerusalem as a violation of international law.
Libya lawmakers approve interim government in key step towards elections
Libya's parliament on Wednesday (10 March) approved a unity government to lead the war-ravaged North African nation to December elections, a key step towards ending a decade of chaos.
Athens and Cairo mull changing the route of EastMed pipeline
Greece and Egypt are discussing the possibility of changing the route of East-Med gas pipeline in order to tackle the technical difficulties of the project as well as respond to the question of its economic viability.
Israeli critics warn EU against legitimising Palestinian ‘vaccination apartheid’
A group of prominent Israelis have warned Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz not to cooperate with Israel on vaccines, citing what they termed vaccination “apartheid” vis-à-vis the country’s Palestinian population.
UN advance team arrives in Libya to monitor ceasefire
The advance team of a UN observer mission has arrived in Libya, which after a decade of conflict and chaos plans to hold elections in December, informed sources said Wednesday (3 March).
Iran rules out nuclear deal meeting, says time not ‘suitable’
Iran on Sunday (28 February) dismissed Europe's offer for an informal meeting involving the United States on the troubled 2015 nuclear deal, saying the time is not "suitable" as Washington has failed to lift sanctions.
US urges Iran to comply ‘fully’ with nuclear verification
The United States on Monday (22 February) urged Iran to comply "fully" with verification of its nuclear program, voicing concern about a temporary arrangement worked out with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Iran, IAEA thrash out ‘temporary solution’ ahead of deadline
UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said Sunday (21 February) he had negotiated a "temporary solution" after two days of talks with Iranian officials to allow the agency to continue its inspections work in the country.
US offers to meet Iran, reverses Trump steps in push to save nuclear deal
US President Joe Biden's administration offered talks with Iran led by European allies and reversed two largely symbolic steps against Tehran imposed by Donald Trump, as it sought to salvage a nuclear deal on the brink of collapse.
Europe to meet US on Iran as nuclear deadline looms
Top diplomats from European powers and the United States will hold talks on Thursday (18 February) to see how to revive the 2015 deal on Iran's nuclear drive, days ahead of a deadline set by Tehran.
UN-led talks elect Libyan transitional government, EU hails ‘milestone’
Libya embarked Saturday (6 February) on a new phase of its post-Gaddafi transition after an interim executive was selected to lead the country until December elections following a decade of chaos.
In first for Europe, Iranian diplomat faces sentencing for terrorism
An Iranian diplomat accused of planning to bomb a meeting of an exiled opposition group is to be sentenced in the first trial of an Iranian official for suspected terrorism in the European Union since Iran's 1979 revolution.
UN court says it can hear Iran-US sanctions case
The UN's top court has said it can hear Iran's bid to overturn US nuclear sanctions reimposed by Donald Trump, prompting "disappointment" in Washington, which had argued the issue lies outside its jurisdiction.