Multilateralism
Germany and UK pledge closer cooperation on foreign policy
German and UK foreign ministers on Wednesday (30 June) pledged to cooperate more closely on foreign and security policy issues, reaffirming their commitment to the “strategic unity of Europe”.
UN Security Council backs Guterres for second term
The United Nations Security Council backed Secretary-General António Guterres on Tuesday for a second term, recommending that the 193-member General Assembly appoint him for another five years starting 1 January 2022.
Summit choreography: Biden to meet Putin ‘with the wind at his back’
Joe Biden will fight what he calls a “defining” battle for democracy on his first foreign presidential trip, meeting top US allies in Europe ahead of a tricky summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The busy agenda — with G7, NATO...
Ambassador: Porto summit could be ‘watershed moment’ for EU-India relations
The Porto summit this weekend could be a "watershed moment" for EU-India relations to push for stronger health cooperation in the context of the pandemic, enhanced cooperation on trade and investment, and a partnership on connectivity, the country's envoy to Brussels, Santosh Jha, told EURACTIV in an interview ahead of the EU-India leaders meeting on Saturday (8 May).
Ambassador: EU and South Korea born to be best like-minded partners
Climate change is likely to be a key area to strengthen cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the EU in the coming years, the country's ambassador to Brussels, Yoon Soon-gu, told EURACTIV in an interview about multilateralism, climate cooperation and the EU's Indo-Pacific strategy.
EU says after Biden meeting: Let’s safeguard global security together
The European Union and the United States must together safeguard global security, democracy and stability, European Council President Charles Michel said on Thursday (25 March) after chairing an EU summit that US President Joe Biden joined briefly. Michel said the...
Biden declares America, transatlantic alliance ‘back’
President Joe Biden declared the "transatlantic alliance is back" Friday (19 February) in a powerful speech seeking to reestablish the United States as leader of the West against what he called a global assault on democracy.
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.
Commission seeks to ‘step up EU leadership’ globally
The European Commission on Wednesday (17 February) presented a strategy on how to promote reform, effectiveness and efficiency in the global multilateral system. It comes at a time when shortfalls of the EU's geopolitical cloud have emerged.
New WTO chief’s pile of problems
The coronavirus pandemic, log-jammed trade talks and a long-delayed meeting of member states are just a few of the crises awaiting Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as she takes the helm of the World Trade Organisation next month.
Biden to discuss pandemic, economy and China in Friday G7 meeting
President Joe Biden will hold his first event with other leaders from the Group of Seven nations on Friday (19 February) to discuss the coronavirus pandemic, the world economy and dealing with China, the White House said.
Georgia is striving to relaunch the machinery of world diplomacy
Since COVID-19 changed our lives, the larger powers are virtually alone in meeting global challenges, while smaller countries like Georgia are striving to re-launch the machinery of the larger debates, Salome Zourabishvili, the President of Georgia, writes in an exclusive...
Russia suggests Mideast peace conference, US pledges to renew Palestinian ties
Russia backed a Palestinian proposal for a Middle East peace conference, suggesting it could be held at ministerial level in spring or summer, as the US said it would move towards renewing ties with the Palestinians under Joe Biden.
NATO prepares first summit with US President Biden
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday (26 February) he had spoken with US President Joe Biden about preparing the alliance's next summit and discussed challenges including terrorism, Russian assertiveness and China's rising power.
Paris says Biden, Macron in agreement on COVID, climate change
French President Emmanuel Macron and new US President Joe Biden are in agreement on climate change and how to fight coronavirus, the Élysée palace said on Sunday (24 January).
World leaders congratulate US President Biden
World leaders said they were looking forward to working with Joe Biden, the Democrat sworn in as US president on Wednesday (20 January) after four turbulent years under Donald Trump.
Nickolay Mladenov unable to take up role as UN Libya envoy
Bulgarian diplomat Nickolay Mladenov has told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres he will be unable to take up the role as United Nations Libya envoy next year due to “personal and family reasons,” a UN spokesman said on Tuesday (22 December).
Iran nuclear deal parties eye US return to accord
The remaining parties to the ailing 2015 Iran nuclear deal said on Monday (21 December) they were preparing for the possible return of the US to the pact as President-elect Joe Biden readies to take office next month.
OECD candidate: The US is back as ‘guarantor’ of international liberal order
With the new US administration, Washington has again taken up its role as a guarantor of multilateral system, former EU Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou who runs for the OECD top job, told EURACTIV.com in an interview. “I think it has become...
Borrell dreams of ‘making multilateralism great again’
In a strategic article published on Monday, the EU chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, depicts the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on world affairs, warning of growing divergences between world players, backsliding in terms of global poverty and strengthening of the authoritarian regimes.
EU chief Michel seeks international treaty on pandemics
A European Union chief called Thursday (3 December) for an international treaty on pandemics, urging the world to learn from Covid-19 and be better prepared for the future.
Can Europe and America rebuild a rules-based world order?
The first major test to revive liberal internationalism is likely to be the UN climate change summit in Glasgow next autumn, which should adopt an agreement with teeth, with enforceable rules and penalties for non-compliance, writes David Clark.
EU’s Helga Schmid to help fill vacuum in Cold War security body OSCE
The international security body OSCE is expected to fill an unprecedented leadership vacuum, during meetings Thursday and Friday (3 and 4 December), after it failed to reappoint four of its top leaders in July.