Neighbourhood policy
Macedonia’s Zaev highlights economic benefits ahead of name change referendum
Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Zoran Zaev focused on the economic benefits of a “yes” vote in the upcoming referendum on the Macedonia name change, saying that the trade with Greece is going to double.
Morocco plays cat and mouse with Africans headed to Europe
African emigrants are defying a campaign by Morocco to keep them away from land and sea crossings to Spain, which has become the main entry point to Europe for migrants and refugees following crackdowns elsewhere.
EU appeals to ‘Astana guarantors’ to avoid Idlib catastrophe
Commenting on the decision by Russia and Turkey to create a “demilitarised” zone in a rebel-held Syrian region, the EU called on Tuesday (18 September) on the “Astana guarantors”, Russia, Turkey and Iran, to respect civilians as a matter of priority.
EU socialists scold EPP over Macedonian name deal, disregard own black sheep member
The Socialists and Democrats group (S&D) continue to criticise the negative stance of center-right opposition parties in Athens and Skopje towards the landmark name deal but also turn a blind eye to their member party in Greece, which disapproves of it.
Vienna and Rome in clinch with UN over migration policy
The UN has taken the European migration policy in its sights, drawing a strong response from Vienna and Rome. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Russia says Turkey has key job of separating out militants in Syria’s Idlib
Russia hopes for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Syria's rebel-held province of Idlib but believes it is up to Turkey to separate Islamist militants from the moderate opposition, Russia's Syria envoy said on Tuesday (11 September).
Trump administration takes aim at International Criminal Court, PLO
The Trump administration on Monday (10 September) threatened tough action against the International Criminal Court should it try to prosecute Americans for alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and said the PLO's office in Washington would be closed for seeking to punish Israel through the court.
Iran completes facility to build centrifuges
Iran has completed a facility to build advanced centrifuges, Iran's nuclear chief was quoted on Sunday (9 September) as saying, as Tehran prepares to increase its uranium-enrichment capacity if the nuclear deal collapses after the United States exits.
Poland’s push for Via Carpathia may boost cooperation in Eastern Europe
For a long time, Warsaw has been looking for opportunities to boost regional cooperation with neighbours. Now plans for the so-called Carpathian Strategy have gained the support of some countries in the region, paving the way for a series of joint projects partly funded by the EU.
Facebook blocked in Tripoli and other cities as fighting rage
Facebook has been blocked in the Libyan capital of Tripoli and other cities, residents said on Monday (3 September) as fighting between rival groups raged.
Western Balkans: Dateless accession perspective
The inclusion of the Western Balkans in the European Union remains in focus. The timing of the bloc's expansion, however, is more than uncertain. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
EU ‘regrets’ US decision to end funding for Palestinian refugee agency
Palestinians reacted angrily Saturday (1 September) to a US decision to end all funding for the UN agency that assists three million needy refugees, seeing it as a new policy shift aimed at undermining their cause.
EU disagrees with Russia that Syrian refugees can go back
The European Union does not believe Syria is safe for refugees to go back, officials in Brussels said of a Russian push to have people return to the war-torn country and the international community to spend money on rebuilding it.
Austrian president warns against ‘small-state mentality’
With the informal meeting of the defense minister and then the foreign minister in the last week of August, the Austrian Presidency enters crunch mode. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
Netanyahu in Baltics in search of European allies
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Lithuania on Thursday (23 August) for a Baltic summit saying he hoped to deepen ties with eastern EU nations as Brussels blasted Israel's plans for fresh settlements in the West Bank.
Is it ‘the economy, stupid’ in the EU’s southern neighbourhood?
While trade wars threaten across the Atlantic, enhanced economic cooperation could be the key to stability in the EU’s southern neighbourhood.
Russian meddling in Greek domestic affairs ‘unacceptable’, Commission says
Russia’s meddling in Greece's domestic affairs is "unacceptable", the European Commission told EURACTIV.com, amid an ongoing war of words between Athens and Moscow.
Czech diplomats secure release of two NGO workers in Syria
The Czech Republic has negotiated the release of two workers for a German humanitarian group in Syria, the Czech and German foreign ministries said on Thursday (9 August).
Belarus cracks down on independent media, detains jounalists
Belarus on Wednesday (8 August) detained at least six more journalists in Minsk including a freelance correspondent for Deutsche Welle in an ongoing crackdown on independent media, ostensibly over unauthorised access to a state news agency.
Greek minister: Erdogan planned the arrest of our two soldiers
The arrest of two Greek soldiers at the border with Turkey was “pre-planned” and ordered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Greek defence minister Panos Kammenos has claimed.
Poll: Majority of Macedonians support new name deal with Greece
More than 40% of people in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) support the name deal reached between their government and Athens, according to a poll.
Russia expels two Greek diplomats amid growing tensions with Athens
The Russian government decided to expel two Greek diplomats from its territory on Monday (6 August) in response to Greece’s similar “hostile” move last month, according to the Kremlin.
Hahn on Western Balkans: Exporting stability instead of importing instability
The Commission is satisfied with its Western Balkans strategy, as it has triggered a new dynamic in the region. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, however, pleads for realism.
Greece-Russia ties shaken, Turkey pulls the strings
Systematic efforts to derail the Macedonian name deal, combined with increased Ankara-Moscow cooperation, are the main reasons that tensions between Greece and Russia have escalated of late, diplomatic sources told EURACTIV.com.