Med & South
Facing triple crises, Tunisia is in trouble
Each crisis on its own would debilitate any country. In Tunisia, they add fuel to the others, creating a vicious cycle of inaction and instability that threatens to undermine the fragile democratic transition, writes Sarah Yerkes.
EU, US reject Erdogan’s plans for a two-state solution in Cyprus
Brussels and Washington have reacted strongly to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision to partially reopen a coastal resort town emptied of its original Greek Cypriot residents as well as his proposal for a two-state solution on Cyprus issue.
Wanted: European re–engagement with southern neighbourhood
Ten years after the Arab Spring, a disjointed European policy approach to the region has resulted in the bloc losing influence in the countries in its southern neighbourhood.
EU relations in north Africa hampered by migration tensions
The EU’s role and political influence in North Africa has been hampered by economic and security policy priorities being trumped by the bloc’s desire to control migration flows.
Morocco the apparent winner after migrant skirmish with Spain
Morocco appears to have triumphed in its diplomatic joust with Spain two weeks after opening its borders for thousands of migrants to cross into the Spanish enclave of Cuelta.
Morocco, Spain trade accusations of violating good ‘neighbourliness’
Morocco and Spain traded new accusations on Monday (31 May) in a diplomatic row triggered by the Western Sahara territorial issue that led this month to a migration crisis in Spain's enclave in northern Morocco.
War-ravaged Syria heads to polls with Assad set to win
Polling stations opened Wednesday (26 May) across Syria for an election where few doubt that Bashar al-Assad will extend his grip on power for a fourth term, in a war-battered country mired in economic crisis.
At EU summit, Spain warns of ‘unprecedented crisis with Morocco’
Spain sent a clear message to Morocco Monday (24 May), insisting on respect for its shared borders a week after over 8,000 migrants entered its Ceuta enclave, with 1,000 minors still there.
Paris summit mobilises finance, vaccines for Africa ‘New Deal’
A Paris summit Tuesday (18 May) promised to help Africa overcome the COVID pandemic with a "New Deal" using global financial firepower to replenish depleted coffers and ramp up a sluggish vaccine rollout.
Brussels calls on EU countries to help Italy by taking migrants
The EU's commissioner for home affairs, Ylva Johansson, on Monday (10 May) called for the bloc's countries to show "solidarity" with Italy after it took on more than 1,400 migrants arriving on boats over the weekend.
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.