Neighbourhood policy
Iranian tanker at centre of standoff with West leaves Gibraltar
The Iranian tanker caught in a standoff between Tehran and the West left Gibraltar on Sunday night, shipping data showed, hours after the British territory rejected a US request to detain the vessel further.
Six EU countries ready to take in migrants stranded off Italy
A 'coalition of the willing' of six EU member states have agreed to take some of the 147 migrants stranded on a rescue ship near the Italian island of Lampedusa, Rome announced Thursday (15 August), amid an immigration row between Italy's interior minister and premier.
West urges Kosovo, Serbia to restart talks ‘with urgency’
Western powers on Tuesday (13 August) urged foes Serbia and Kosovo to reboot their stalled dialogue "with urgency", warning that the lack of progress is hindering their dreams of joining the European Union.
Rival Bosnia leaders agree to form government 10 months after vote
Bosnia's rival Serb, Croat and Bosniak leaders agreed on Monday (5 August) to form a central government 10 months after a general election, reaching a compromise about Bosnia's integration into NATO which had been a key stumbling block.
EU border force Frontex accused of allowing abuse of migrants
The EU's border force Frontex has allegedly been turning a blind eye to ill treatment of refugees by guards at EU external borders, according to media reports on Monday (5 August).
Germany ‘very sceptical’ about US mission for Strait of Hormuz
Germany's Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday (31 July) he was very sceptical about a request by the United States to join a military mission for the Strait of Hormuz.
France, Italy, Denmark back European-led naval mission for Hormuz
France, Italy and Denmark gave initial support for a British plan for a European-led naval mission to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, proposed after Iran’s seizure of a British-flagged tanker, three senior EU diplomats said on Tuesday (23 July).
Britain calls for European naval mission to counter Iran’s ‘piracy’
Britain called on Monday (22 July) for a European-led naval mission to ensure safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, days after Iran seized a British-flagged tanker in what London described as an act of “state piracy” in the strategic waterway.
SOS Méditerranée relaunches migrant rescue missions off Libya
Humanitarian group SOS Méditerranée said Sunday (21 July) it has relaunched rescue efforts off Libya seven months after it abandoned operations using its ship Aquarius and despite a refusal by European ports to accept the migrants.
Britain weighs response to Iran Gulf crisis with few good options
Britain was weighing its next moves in the Gulf tanker crisis on Sunday (21 July), with few good options apparent as a recording emerged showing that the Iranian military defied a British warship when it boarded and seized a ship three days ago.
Israel prepares to demolish homes on Jerusalem outskirts, stoking Palestinian fears
Israeli forces began preparations to demolish homes near a military barrier on the outskirts of Jerusalem under the cover of darkness on Monday (22 July), in the face of Palestinian protests and international criticism. Bulldozers accompanied by hundreds of Israeli...
Mogherini cautions against ‘dangerous adventures’ in the Middle East
The European Union fully backs Iraq's efforts to de-escalate growing tensions between the United States and Iran because conflict will have dire consequences for all sides, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Saturday (13 July).
EU urges Iran to halt further measures undermining nuclear deal
The European Union on Sunday (7 July) strongly urged Iran to stop actions that would undermine a landmark 2015 nuclear deal, saying it was in touch with other parties to the deal and may set up a joint commission to look into the issue.
US call for Syria troops divides German coalition
Discord broke out in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition Sunday (7 July), after the United States urged the country to send ground troops to Syria as Washington looks to withdraw from the region.
At least 40 killed in strike on Tripoli migrant detention centre
An air strike late on Tuesday (2 July) hit a detention centre for mainly African migrants in a suburb of the Libyan capital of Tripoli, killing at least 40 people and wounding 80, a health official said.
EU, France, Germany and UK urge Iran to reverse uranium decision
The diplomatic chiefs of the EU, France, Germany and Britain said Tuesday (2 July) they were "extremely concerned" and urged Iran to reverse its decision to breach a limit on enriched uranium reserves under a 2015 nuclear deal.
Council of Europe elects new chief amid row over Russia
Europe’s leading democracy and human rights organisation elected a new leadership late on Wednesday (26 June), overshadowed by the walk-out of several delegations following the ratification of Russia’s return to the assembly. With 159 votes from 268 members of the...
An innovative partnership in the assistance programme for Syrian refugees in Turkey
Alper Küçük and Nils Grede provide insight into the use of the EU’s Facility for Refugees in Turkey, which enables much-needed cash transfers to one and a half million vulnerable refugees living in host communities in Turkey.
Ukraine and Russia clash in The Hague over Black and Asov Sea dispute
Ukraine and Russia traded barbs this week in front of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague over Russia's alleged violations of waters around Ukraine's Crimea region in the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait.
Trump’s son-in law and Middle East adviser Kushner meets EU leaders
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East peace adviser Jared Kushner met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker for talks in Brussels on Tuesday (4 June).
Trump warns he could order the ‘official end of Iran’
US President Donald Trump issued a new threat to Tehran on Sunday (19 May), tweeting that a conflict would be the “official end” of Iran, as Saudi Arabia warned it stood ready to respond with “all strength” and said it was up to Iran to avoid war.
Europe rejects US escalation strategy against Iran
Europe on Monday (13 May) urged the US not to further escalate tensions over the Iran nuclear deal, with Britain issuing a stark warning of the risk of conflict erupting "by accident" in the Gulf.
Mogherini puts hopes in China and India to save Iran deal
The European Union will defend the Iran nuclear accord despite Tehran's decision to backtrack on its commitments in response to US sanctions, diplomats believe, but European powers expect it to collapse without a deal to sell Iranian oil to China or India.