Neighbourhood policy
Juncker: Member states contributed too little to Africa Fund
Speaking to the press after the first round of talks of the EU summit yesterday (19 October), Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned that the EU action was “reaching its limits” due to insufficient financing.
EU tells Ankara to stay calm, respect UN framework for Cyprus
The European Commission backs a Cyprus settlement process under the auspices of the United Nations and calls on Turkey to refrain from creating any source of friction that could damage neighbourly relations, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV.com.
WFP official: Humanitarian aid, development and peace have to come together
Conflict resolution should be followed by recovery-type investments, development-type investments and investments in the future, Arif Husain, chief economist of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), told EURACTIV on Tuesday (10 October).
Secondhand Russian fighter jets arrive in Serbia
Russia began delivering a gift of six MiG-29 fighter jets to Serbia this week, escalating tensions between the EU candidate country and its neighbours.
Joining the EU is a marathon, says Serbian PM
EXCLUSIVE / Serbia and Montenegro are seen as the two Western Balkan frontrunners to join the EU but Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabić told EURACTIV.com in a wide-ranging interview that joining the soon-to-be 27-country bloc is a matter of endurance and not a competition.
Italy sketches ‘revolutionary’ idea to resettle 1,000 migrants stranded in Libya
Italy, in a fresh bid to tackle a migration influx that has become a political headache, sketched proposals yesterday (28 September) to resettle around the world a thousand vulnerable migrants who are stranded in Libya.
Iraq, Turkey step up pressure over Kurdish independence vote
Iraq and Turkey yesterday (14 September) stepped up the pressure on Iraqi Kurdistan over its planned independence referendum, as the governor of oil-rich Kirkuk province that decided to take part in the vote was sacked.
Czech interior minister: ‘Nobody has to call us for solidarity’
The Czech Republic has not relocated a refugee for more than a year and remains in breach of its legal obligations. The Czech position remains the same despite the ruling of the Court of Justice supporting the Commission's migrant relocation policy. EURACTIV.cz reports.
World Bank: More than reconstruction, post-conflict Syria will need development aid
The economic disorganisation of Syrian society, lost connectivity and destruction of business networks has an impact on GDP 20 times bigger than the destruction of buildings, World Bank officials have told EURACTIV.com.
France’s Macron urges continued EU ties with Turkey
French President Emmanuel Macron said Turkey remained a vital partner of the European Union and ties should be maintained even if the country had strayed from the EU path, according to a newspaper interview published on Thursday (7 September).
Kazakh minister: Two ‘revolutionary’ stories are happening in Central Asia
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roman Vassilenko, sheds light on important new developments in Central Asia, little known in the EU, and on the role of his country in major international issues.
African and European leaders renew efforts to tackle migration
African and European leaders gathered in Paris on Monday (28 August) to broach the subject of migration, where support was expressed for moving the EU’s external border into Africa itself, so that asylum applications can be handled locally. EURACTIV France reports.
Researchers: Saudi-led coalition is responsible for Yemen’s health crisis
Severe food and medical shortages caused by two years of devastating war are having a major impact on everyday life in Yemen, where thousands of children starve to death, researchers have warned, pointing out the responsibility of Saudi Arabia.
Hague Court holds Islamist liable for €2.7 million damages after Timbuktu destruction
Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled on Thursday (17 August) that a former Islamist rebel who was jailed for wrecking holy sites in Timbuktu was liable for €2.7 million in damages.
The EU disregards human rights in Iran
Federica Mogherini should be asked how she manages to continue relations with the Iranian officials despite reports of Tehran's declining respect for human rights, writes Hamid Bahrami.
Berlin wants more EU pressure on Turkey, asks to freeze customs union talks
Berlin is pushing the European Commission to halt talks with Turkey over updating the customs union, claiming that a continuation would send the “wrong signal” to Ankara.
Aid groups split over Italy’s new rules for migrant rescues
Five aid groups that operate migrant rescue ships in the Mediterranean refused to sign up to the Italian government's code of conduct on Monday (31 July), the Interior Ministry said, but three others backed the new rules.
Italy joins France in warning Ankara about Cyprus gas drilling
Italian Minister of Defence Roberta Pinotti is paying a “symbolic” visit today (31 July) to Cyprus in light of oil and gas drilling that a consortium of France's Total and Italy's Eni is now carrying out in the region.
France reveals plan for registration centres to stem migrant crisis
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (27 July) unveiled plans to set up migrant registration centres in Libya to help stem an influx that has sparked a crisis in Europe, although his aides said the scheme could not be implemented there immediately for security reasons.
EU urges Israel, Jordan to cooperate on security in Jerusalem
The EU over the weekend called on Israel and Jordan to work together to "ensure security for all" in Jerusalem's Old City after a series of violent confrontations in recent days.
Italy hits back over migration security
Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni has warned Rome will not accept either "lessons" or "threats" from neighbours on border security amid tension over Europe's migrant crisis.
Estonian ambassador: Trump is right, Europe should pay for own defence
Estonian Ambassador to Poland Harri Tiido explained the priorities of his country’s EU Presidency and talked about the current challenges facing Europe, in an interview with EURACTIV.pl.
Italy may issue temporary visas for migrants, in “tug of war” with EU
Italy is considering issuing temporary visas that would allow migrants to travel around the European Union, in a move intended to pressure its EU neighbours to do more to help ease the migration crisis.
Greek FM: EU should be louder against Turkish ‘intervention rights’ in member states
EXCLUSIVE / In a wide-ranging interview, Greece's foreign minister on Sunday (16 July) outlined his country's position on the failed Cyprus reunification talks, scolding UN envoy Espen Barth Eide and rejecting "interventions rights" for Turkey in any future settlement. He also warned against expecting any breakthrough with FYROM.