Med & South
Europe calls for immediate ceasefire in Libya
The EU's diplomatic chief and the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Italy urged Tuesday (9 June) all parties fighting in Libya to stop military operations immediately and respect a ceasefire.
Green MEP: Migration pact could enshrine injustice in law
About a year ago, German captain Carola Rackete was arrested for docking 53 people rescued from a shipwrecked vessel in the port of Lampedusa, against the instructions of the Italian authorities. MEP Erik Marquardt spoke with EURACTIV Germany about what has changed since then and the role of civil society and politics.
The pandemic in the Maghreb region: should Europe be worried?
Although the case numbers and death toll in the Maghreb remain low, Covid-19 threatens economic and political stability in the region. Should Europe be worried, questions James Moran.
EU’s Borrell says Turkish gas drills off Cyprus ‘must stop’
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Thursday (25 June) that "illegal" Turkish drilling for gas off the divided island of Cyprus "must stop", as he met Cypriot officials in Nicosia.
Israel seeks Cypriot help on EU opposition to annexation
The foreign ministers of Israel and nearby Cyprus met Tuesday (23 June) as the Jewish state seeks to defuse European opposition to its plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.
Palestinians rally against Trump Mideast plan
Thousands of Palestinians on Monday (22 June) demonstrated against US President Donald Trump's plan for the Middle East that includes Israel's annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
Egypt has a legitimate right to intervene in Libya, Sisi says
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday (20 June) said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in neighbouring Libya and ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission outside the country, if necessary.
German FM voices ‘serious concerns’ over Israeli annexation plan
Germany and its European partners have "serious concerns" over Israel's plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said in Jerusalem Wednesday (10 June).
Rescue boats return to the Mediterranean as 20,000 migrants prepare to cross from Libya
Two charity boats have headed back to the Mediterranean after a two-month hiatus in migrant rescue operations, as humanitarian groups await a new wave of arrivals.
Palestinian PM submits ‘counter-proposal’ to Trump plan
Palestinians have sent the diplomatic Quartet a response to the US Mideast plan which sees parts of the West Bank being annexed by Israel, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said Tuesday (9 June).
Turkey says it may expand cooperation with Libya’s GNA
Turkey may expand its cooperation with Libya's internationally recognised government with new deals on energy and construction once the country's conflict is over, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin was quoted as saying on Sunday (7 June).
Turkey vows more support to secure gains in Libya conflict
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan vowed on Thursday (4 June) to ramp up Turkey's support for its ally in Libya to lock in recent military gains, and promised joint exploration for oil at sea following talks in Ankara ahead of a potential ceasefire push.
Europe’s COVID crisis does little to disparage Mediterranean migrants
Alfa Jafo has spent the last few months working in the kitchen at a restaurant in the historic city of Agadez in Niger, a launchpad for irregular migration in the Sahel. Asked if the COVID-19 pandemic has killed his dream of going to Europe, Jafo looks genuinely puzzled and says 'No'.
Africa and Europe need a new, win-win, migration deal
Despite the war in Libya and the coronavirus outbreak, irregular migration from North Africa towards the southern European shores remains inevitable. This could be mitigated by implementing pre-planned migration schemes and easier visa procedures, writes Mourad Teyeb
Borrell: US ending nuclear waivers means harder to check Iran
The European Union's foreign policy chief on Thursday (28 May) condemned Washington's move to end sanction waivers for countries remaining in the Iran nuclear accord, warning it would make it harder to keep Tehran in check.
US military says Russia flew 14 MiG 29s and Su-24s to Libya
Russian military personnel flew MiG 29 and SU-24 fighter planes to a Libyan airbase escorted by other Russian fighter jets, the US military said on Wednesday (27 May), detailing a deployment of air power that could have a big impact on Libya’s war.
Defiant Netanyahu goes on trial in Israel charged with corruption
Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (24 May) became the first serving Israeli prime minister to go on trial, proclaiming his innocence in the corridor before walking into court to face charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Annexations in the West Bank: Europeans need to punch their weight
Last week, EU foreign ministers emphasised that the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the Union’s strategic interests and that they discourage possible steps towards annexations. In this vein, the EU and its member states should send a clear signal, Muriel Asseburg and Peter Lintl argue.
COVID-19: What next for the Mediterranean?
The Euro-Mediterranean region needs to build its own development strategy in response to the coronavirus crisis, writes Nasser Kamel.
Israel swears in unity government, PM insists on West Bank annexation
Israel's parliament swore in a new unity government on Sunday (17 May) led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former rival Benny Gantz, ending the longest political crisis in the nation's history.
France pushing for tough EU response to any West Bank annexation
France is urging its European Union partners to consider threatening Israel with a tough response if it goes ahead with a de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, three EU diplomats said.
Coronavirus or not, African migrants push on toward Europe
Many Africans are managing to evade coronavirus lockdown barriers in Niger, the Sahel's migrant crossroads, as they press on with their perilous desert trek to the Mediterranean Sea and ultimately Europe.
US says would recognise Israel annexation
The United States said Monday (27 April) it was ready to recognize Israel's annexation of much of the West Bank but asked the new unity government also to negotiate with the Palestinians.
UNHCR alarm over dozens of missing migrants in Mediterranean
The UN refugee agency expressed alarm Sunday (12 April) about the fate of dozens of migrants whose rubber dinghies appear to have capsized after setting sail from Libya for Italy.