Neighbourhood policy
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.
Italy, Germany call for EU mission on Libya-Niger border
The German and Italian interior ministers have called for an EU mission to be installed on the border between Libya and Niger to stem migrant crossings to Europe.
Serbian FM: Albanian politicians are the main threat to Europe and the Balkans
EXCLUSIVE / The EU should recognise that Albanian politicians are the main threat to peace and stability not only in the Balkans but also in Europe, Serbia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivica Dačić told EURACTIV.com.
Estonian president: In the face of Brexit, unity will be at the heart of our EU presidency
EXCLUSIVE / As Estonia gets ready for its stint at the helm of the EU, its President Kersti Kaljulaid told EURACTIV that her country will fight to keep the Union together, despite Brexit, and help the bloc forge a new vision, branching out from the Commission proposals.
Romanian MEP calls for EU-funded anti-Russian propaganda project
Romanian MEP Siegfried Mureșan has proposed that the EU fund a project to the tune of €3 million aimed at combatting Russian propaganda on social media networks. EURACTIV Romania reports.
Israel needs good relations with Europe
Israel has a vested interest in a strong European Union. It needs European partners in order to maintain its Zionist vision of a Jewish state. But Europe is losing interest in the Middle East peace process and Israel itself is not helping matters, warns Nitzan Horowitz.
Germany says Libya camps no solution to refugee crisis
Germany will not back a proposal establishing camps in Libya to corral migrants heading for Europe, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said yesterday (2 May) at the African Union's headquarters.
Refugee hotspots in Italy and Greece ‘not yet adequate’, say EU auditors
The EU’s emergency response to the 2015 refugee crisis, by creating arrival ‘hotspots’ in Greece and Italy, has left reception centres that are “not yet adequate”, according to a damning new report by the EU Court of Auditors.
Tillerson accuses Iran of ‘alarming provocations’ as US reviews policy
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson accused Iran on Wednesday (19 April) of 'alarming ongoing provocations' to destabilise countries in the Middle East as the Trump administration launched a review of its policy towards Tehran.
Southern EU leaders defend US strike on Syria
The leaders of southern EU nations said yesterday (10 April) that a US missile strike on a Syrian airbase in retaliation for a suspected chemical attack was "understandable," as diplomatic tensions mount over the incident.
Donors pledge billions at Syria aid conference, NGOs say too little
International donors yesterday (5 April) pledged $6.0 billion in aid for Syria this year at a conference overshadowed by a deadly chemical attack blamed by the West on Damascus.
Donors seek more funds for Syria, EU presses for peace
International donors are set to pledge billions more dollars for Syrian refugees at a two-day conference starting today (4 April) that the European Union says must also help prepare for an eventual end to more than six years of war in Syria.
Hungary warns about growing foreign influence in the Balkans
The growing influence of Moscow and Ankara in the Western Balkan region is raising concern among the leaders of European centre-right political parties, who have called for a revival of EU aspirations in the region. EURACTIV.com reports from Malta.
Auditors find ‘shortcomings’ in EU aid to Tunisia after Arab Spring
The EU gave Tunisia some €1.3bn in aid after the Arab Spring without properly checking how all of it was spent, according to a report published today (28 March) by the Court of Auditors.
Forget Russia, new menace in Western Balkans is Trump-style populist politics
A new menace is stalking the Western Balkans: the region's political leaders themselves. Many are now retreating from serious engagement with Europe in order to play internal political games, writes Denis MacShane.
EU refugee deal limits German response to journalist arrest
Angela Merkel has called the arrest of German-Turkish journalist Deniz Yücel "disappointing" but will still proceed cautiously in order to not jeopardise the EU-Turkey refugee deal. EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Senior Arab diplomat derides EU migrant discourse
A distinguished Arab diplomat remarked that EU politicians and think tank representatives did not make use of keywords such as “Iraq” or “Islam” while discussing the Union’s relations with its neighbours and the refugee crisis for several hours.
Letta: If Le Pen wins, it’s ‘game over’ for EU
Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta told an audience in Malta on Monday (27 February) that if the leader of the Front National wins the French elections, it would be "game over" for the EU. But there is a silver lining.
The Presidency: Migration mayday
The seasons are changing. As the weather gets better, Europe's migration crisis gets worse. In a year of critical elections, Malta brings its frontline Mediterranean experience to the leadership of the presidency of the European Union.
