Neighbourhood policy
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.
Trans-Europe Express: Will the EU ever get the Western Balkans right?
The EU's fast-and-loose approach to the Western Balkans has never been more evident than in the last few years.
At Trieste trilateral, Italy laments migrant burden
In the margins of the Western Balkans summit in Trieste, Italy's Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni criticised fellow EU member states on Wednesday (12 July) for leaving his country to grapple with the migrant crisis, despite pledges made by France and Germany.
Turkey’s energy minister ‘to visit Israel for pipeline deal’
Turkey's Energy Minister Berat Albayrak is set to visit Israel by the end of this year to conclude an agreement for the building of a natural gas pipeline from the Jewish state to Turkey, the Israeli energy minister said on yesterday (12 July).
Balkans can help EU ‘feel attractive’ after Brexit, Macedonia says
Dented by Brexit, the European Union should seize on the hunger of Balkan nations for membership as an opportunity to "feel attractive", Macedonia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday (12 July).
France, Germany pledge more support for Italy on migrants, offer vague
France, Germany and the EU executive on Monday (3 July) promised Italy more support in handling the influx of migrants arriving by boat from Africa, agreeing to bolster training and funding for Libya's coastguard and to relocate asylum seekers more swiftly.
New lines in the sand in the Middle East
The Middle East used to be known for its stale continuity. But with the Qatar crisis now in its third week, the region is finding itself convulsed in its biggest diplomatic shakeup in decades, warns Willem Oosterveld.
Women’s Forum chief: EU should stop infighting and regain ambition
At a time of deep reflection on the future of the EU, the executive president of the Women’s Forum insisted Europe should regain its ambition, adding that the biggest market in the world and its well-educated labour force have enormous potential.
World Refugee Day inspires calls to EU leaders ahead of summit
The UN's World Refugee Day is held every year on 20 June. This year, politicians and NGOs issued messages to EU leaders ahead of a summit on 22-23 June, which will partly focus on measures to stem the migration flow on the Central Mediterranean route.
New Macedonia leaders vow to revive EU/NATO bid
Macedonia's new leaders showed fresh resolve to revive the country's stalled bid for membership of the EU and NATO on Monday (June 12) by vowing to mend relations with estranged EU neighbours Greece and Bulgaria and implement long-delayed reforms.
The Presidency debate: Neighbourhood policy
Europe’s response to crises close to home, is a comprehensive neighbourhood plan; a plan maximising Europe’s soft power in the short-term, to bring security and prosperity in the long-run.
Georgia denies role in Azerbaijani journalist’s abduction
Georgia today (1 June) denied it was involved in the alleged abduction and handover of a pro-opposition Azerbaijani journalist to his country's authoritarian government.
EU slams Turkey’s record on human rights in talks with Erdogan
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan met senior European Union officials on Thursday (25 May) for talks that included Turkey's human rights record following sharp disagreements between Ankara and Brussels on a range of issues.
EU warns Turkey after it violates Greek airspace 141 times in one day
Turkish aeroplanes and helicopters illegally entered Greece's airspace 141 times yesterday (15 May), the Hellenic National Defence General Staff reported.