Neighbourhood policy
Report: Romania to break ranks with EU by moving embassy to Jerusalem
The Romanian government will follow the United States and transfer its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, the ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader said Thursday (19 April). “The decision has been taken (…), the procedures are beginning,” Liviu Dragnea told...
Syrian crisis adds pressure to break Council unanimity in foreign affairs
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas agreed on Friday to use the already available options to circumvent the required EU member states' unanimity when it comes to addressing foreign challenges including the Syrian war.
Russia, US headed for clash at UN over Syria gas attacks probe
The UN Security Council could vote as early as Tuesday (10 April) on rival US and Russian proposals to investigate chemical weapons attacks in Syria, setting up a clash that could trigger vetoes of both measures, diplomats said.
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.
Breaking the silence on North Africa: A new EU-Africa partnership after 2020
The EU will soon open negotiations with the 78 countries of the African, Caribbean, and Pacific group on the future of their partnership with the EU in September 2018. This could breathe new life in the relations between the two continents. However, getting there will not be easy, writes Alfonso Medinilla.
Europe and the Egyptian election: Do not congratulate
European leaders should treat the Egyptian election as the meaningless exercise it is. Instead of congratulating the President's coronation, they should instead make a renewed effort to voice their disagreement with his style of government, writes Anthony Dworkin.
Greek minister: EU adopts ‘strongest wording ever’ vis-à-vis Turkey
EU's summit conclusions on Turkey adopted during the night of 22 to 23 March are the strongest ever as they explicitly urge Ankara to stop violating international law, Greece's Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Katrougalos told EURACTIV.com.
Elmar Brok: Macron wants to ‘weaken’ the European Parliament
EXCLUSIVE / French President Emmanuel Macron wants to “weaken” the European Parliament with his opposition to the Spitzenkandidaten process, European People’s Party influential MEP Elmar Brok warned in an interview with EURACTIV.com. Brok, who is a close ally of Chancellor...
Turkey says whoever helps Kurd militia in Syria is ‘legitimate target’
Turkey yesterday (21 February) said it would consider a "legitimate target" any group that comes to the aid of Kurdish militia in Afrin in northern Syria.
17 Turkish citizens ‘escape’ from Erdogan and seek asylum in Greece
The Greek coastguard has rescued 17 Turkish citizens, including children, who reached the island of Oinousses on Monday (19 February) and asked for asylum, citing fear of persecution back home.
IOM chief: There is no migration crisis but a political emergency
EU leaders need to find the courage of unity to manage migration, which has the potential to help the EU economy grow more than expected. But the window of opportunity is closing fast, William Lacy Swing said in an exclusive interview with EURACTIV.
Only 16% of asylum seekers in Greece to be sent to Turkey, despite EU deal
Only "16% of asylum seekers" who have arrived in Greece are likely to be sent to Turkey despite a controversial EU deal, the former head of Greece's asylum service said Sunday.
Human traffickers capitalise on ‘chaos’ at Europe’s migrant hotspots
Human traffickers are capitalising on widespread chaos at migrant reception centres across southern Europe to transport their victims undetected and lure other migrants into forced labour, a European security watchdog said yesterday (31 January).
Rocky Syria talks in Russia end, ignore key opposition demands
A Syrian peace conference in Russia ended yesterday (30 January) with a statement calling for democratic elections, but ignoring key opposition demands after a day marred by squabbles and heckling of the Russian foreign minister.
How Central Asian energy complements the Southern Gas Corridor
Practical access to Central Asian gas, which would arrive via the twin projects of the White Stream and the Trans-Caspian Pipeline, is finally coming at just the right time to complete the Southern Gas Corridor, writes Robert M. Cutler.
UNHCR chief: EU won’t solve migration crisis without restoring solidarity
Europe is losing the sense of shared solidarity, said the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees, lodging an attack on EU leaders for failing to agree on a proper strategy to deal with the migration crisis.
Spurned by Trump, Europeans ponder how to meet Iran ultimatum
A day before Donald Trump’s 12 January ultimatum to “fix” the Iran nuclear deal, European powers met Iran’s foreign minister to show support for it, but the effort failed to soften Trump’s aversion to the accord, US and European officials said.
Reasons, risks and consequences of Turkey’s Syria operation
The Turkish military has started an air and ground operation against Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia whom Ankara views as "terrorists" linked to outlawed militants.
Tens of millions of Africans will try to come to Europe. What’s the EU policy?
Demographics suggest that Africans taking the perilous journey to Europe will be in their millions, and perhaps their tens of millions, writes Giles Merritt.
Commission expects ‘concrete’ results on Macedonian name dispute
The European Commission welcomed the action taken by the government in Skopje to end a 25-year stalemate on a name dispute with Greece and now hopes to see “concrete results”, a spokesperson told EURACTIV.com on Thursday (4 January).
Erdogan heads to Paris to thaw relations with the EU
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday (5 January) visits Paris for talks with French Presdent Emmanuel Macron, seeking to start the New Year by warming relations with the European Union after a heated 2017.
Analyst: Most EU states sit on fence when it comes to frozen conflicts
EURACTIV.com asked Amanda Paul to comment on the annual report on common foreign and security policy adopted by the European Parliament on 12 December, with reference to the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries.
EU rebuffs Netanyahu’s Jerusalem call
The EU's diplomatic chief on Monday (11 December) bluntly rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's suggestion that Europe would follow the US in recognising Jerusalem as the Jewish state's capital, saying there would be no change to its stance on the holy city.