Med & South
Ambassador: Turkey, EU should cooperate in safely returning Syrian refugees home
At the Varna summit, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his interlocutors that the EU should cooperate in Syria in terms of helping Syrian refugees to go back to their homes, Turkish ambassador to the EU Faruk Kaymakcı told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
EU edges closer to new Iran sanctions ahead of Trump deadline
European Union governments are showing more support for the idea of new sanctions on Iran proposed by Britain, France and Germany as a way of dissuading US President Donald Trump from pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal, diplomats say.
May defends British strikes in Syria against parliament critics
British Prime Minister Theresa May, facing a rowdy session of parliament on Monday (16 April), defended her decision to join US-led missile strikes against Syria without first seeking parliament's authorisation.
Kurz promotes continuation of Syria talks in Vienna
After the recent escalation in the Syrian conflict, the Austrian government is launching an initiative to resume the Syria talks that launched in Vienna in 2015. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Putin predicts global ‘chaos’ if West hits Syria again
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Sunday (15 April) that further Western attacks on Syria would bring chaos to world affairs, as Washington prepared to increase pressure on Russia with new economic sanctions.
EU institutions silent as world gets dangerously close to global conflict over Syria
The leaders of the EU institutions remained silent on Wednesday (11 April) while the world got dangerously close to a global conflict over Syria, with two member states, Britain and France, getting ready to go to war.
Russian envoy to Lebanon: Any US missiles fired at Syria will be shot down
Russia’s ambassador to Lebanon said any US missiles fired at Syria would be shot down and the launch sites targeted, a step that could trigger a major escalation in the Syrian war.
EU asks whether Israel used ‘proportionate’ force in Gaza
The EU raised questions Saturday (7 April) about whether Israeli troops engaged in "proportionate use of force" in the latest border clashes that left nine Palestinians dead in the Gaza Strip.
EU says ‘evidence points’ to chemical attack by Syria regime
The EU said Sunday that evidence suggested the Syrian regime carried out a chemical attack in Douma and urged Damascus's allies Russia and Iran to help prevent another one.
EU calls on Israel to respect the rights of Palestinian children
Alarmed by the conditions of Palestinian children in the Israeli military judicial system, the EU has called on Israel, through its representatives in Jerusalem and Ramallah, to respect the children's rights. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.
Turkey, Iran, Russia say will work for stability in Syria
Turkey, Iran and Russia pledged yesterday (4 April) to accelerate efforts to bring stability to Syria, underlining their joint commitment to the country a day after President Donald Trump raised the prospect of withdrawing US troops.
Turkey builds first nuclear power plant, with help from Russia
The leaders of Turkey and Russia marked the official start of work to build Turkey's first nuclear power station on Tuesday, launching construction of the $20 billion Akkuyu plant in the southern province of Mersin.
Spanish MEP: Time, status quo working against two-state solution
Elena Valenciano Spanish MEP, who headed a socialist delegation on a five-day fact-finding mission to Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories this week, spoke to EFE in Jerusalem on Wednesday (28 March).
Europe must prepare to stand up to Trump on Israeli-Palestinian ‘peace’ plan
Europe should redouble its commitment to critical EU policies grounded in its commitment to international law and a negotiated two-state solution, writes Lara Friedman.
EU to step up training of Libya coastguards on migrant patrols
The European Union wants to rapidly expand training of Libyan coastguards to stem migrant flows to Italy and reduce deaths at sea, an EU naval mission said on Thursday (15 March.
Russia’s EU ambassador: ‘Donbass is part of Ukraine’
In a wide-ranging interview on Monday (5 March), Russia’s ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov discussed Syria and eastern Ukraine, the current tensions between Gazprom and Naftogaz, as well as the Italian election.
Morocco fisheries pact must not include Western Sahara, EU court confirms
The EU’s fisheries agreement with Morocco is valid as long as it does not include the Western Sahara territory, a region disputed by Morocco and independence fighters, the bloc’s top court, the European Court of Justice, ruled on Tuesday (27 February).
How to get Europe back into the Middle East
The Foreign Affairs Council is right to focus on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process when it meets Arab leaders on Monday, but it’s on Iran that the EU is needed the most, writes Franco Frattini, the former Italian foreign minister.
Turkey says UN Syria ceasefire won’t affect Kurdish offensive
Turkey on Sunday (25 February) welcomed the unanimous demand by the UN Security Council for a 30-day ceasefire in Syria, but insisted that its own operation against a Kurdish militia in the Afrin region was not affected.
EU calls for ceasefire in Syria’s eastern Ghouta, urgent aid access
The European Union called on Friday (23 February) for an immediate ceasefire and access for aid in Syria, using a strongly-worded statement to express its anger at the bombing of Syria’s eastern Ghouta. “The European Union is running out of...
Abbas calls for new UN Mideast peace talks format
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas yesterday (20 February) called for an international conference to be held later this year to launch a new, wider Middle East peace process and pave the way to Palestinian statehood.
They talk of war but it’s their own citizens these ‘strong’ men fear most
In the current geopolitical context, European support for those fighting for human dignity is more important than ever, writes Shada Islam.
Fisheries agreement with Morocco is an instrument of soft power for EU
If the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement is not renewed, tensions might affect the relations between the EU and Morocco, writes Willy Fautré.