Neighbourhood policy
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.
Palestinians turn to EU to counter Kushner plan
The Palestinians are asking the European Union to pick up the mantle in defence of the two-state solution if the upcoming US peace plan ditches Palestinian statehood, their UN envoy said Tuesday (7 May).
US deploying carrier, bombers to Middle East to deter Iran
The Trump administration is deploying a carrier strike group and bombers to the Middle East in response to troubling "indications and warnings" from Iran and to show the United States will retaliate with "unrelenting force" to any attack, national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday (5 May).
Deadly escalation as Israel retaliates over Gaza rockets
Israel carried out waves of retaliatory strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday (5 May) after Palestinian rockets hit Israeli cities, in a deadly escalation that showed no signs of slowing and raised fears of war.
Libya coast guard detains 113 migrants during lull in fighting
The Libyan coast guard has stopped 113 migrants trying to reach Italy over the past two days, the United Nations said on Wednesday (1 May), as boat departures resume following a lull in fighting between rival forces in Libya.
Mogherini’s tarnished legacy
Paradoxically it was the EU’s closest partner, the United States, that has done most to damage Federica Mogherini's legacy as High Representative with a full-scale assault on the EU’s commitment to multilateralism, writes Fraser Cameron.
Greek business chief: North Macedonia deal diminished Turkey’s influence
The North Macedonia name change deal, also known as Prespa Agreement, helped diminish Turkey’s influence in the country and simultaneously upgrade Athens’s role in the Balkan region, Greek business chief Konstantinos Michalos told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
In unprecedented move, US names Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a terrorist group
President Donald Trump said on Monday (8 April) he would name Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, in an unprecedented step that drew Iranian condemnation and raised concerns about retaliatory attacks on US forces.
EU ministers pile pressure on Haftar to halt Libya offensive
EU foreign ministers on Saturday upped pressure on Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar to halt his offensive on Tripoli, urging the strongman to commit to a political solution. The issue is expected to be discussed again at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday (8 April).
Ukraine elections elephant in the room ahead of Eastern Partnership talks
Ahead of the Eastern Partnership's (EaP) tenth anniversary in May, EU foreign ministers are next week set to review the progress of the bloc’s framework with the six countries, with the situation in Ukraine being the elephant in the room.
Chinese Balkans investments disrupt EU objectives, Commission warns
Some Chinese investments entail “macro-economic imbalances and debt-dependency” risk in the Western Balkans and impact EU objectives in the region, an EU spokesperson has said in light of a controversial energy project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Jordan’s king cancels Romanian trip over Jerusalem row
Jordan's King Abdullah II cancelled a visit Monday (26 March) to Romania after its prime minister vowed to move her country's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, his office said.
Romania to move embassy to Jerusalem, premier Dancila pledges
The Romanian prime minister promised Sunday (25 March) in Washington that her country would move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, breaking with both the European position and apparently with her own country's president.
North Macedonia minister: NATO, not EU, saved name change deal
Without the prospect of joining NATO, the North Macedonia name change deal with Greece (Prespa Agreement) would have been dead because the EU side has not been delivering on its promises, North Macedonian deputy PM and defence minister, Radmila Šekerinska, has said.
Kazakh Minister: Growing interest for next round of Astana talks
The next round of talks under the so-called Astana Process will take place next month, and there is a growing international interest for this forum, First Deputy of the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Return of refugees to Syria timidly comes on the agenda
Key speakers at a Brussels-held conference dedicated to Syria made first timid references on Thursday (14 March) to the need to prepare for the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, as the eight-year-long war appeared to be coming to an end.
UNRWA chief: For Syrians and for Palestinians, a horizon needs to be recreated
In an exclusive interview, Pierre Krähenbühl, Commissioner General of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, told of the challenges of the international community in the context of the Syrian war and beyond.
Albania opposition leader: The Commission is ignoring the reality on the ground
The EU has mistakenly sacrificed democracy for the sake of stability in the Balkan region, Lulzim Basha, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Albania, told EURACTIV.com in a telephone interview.
Here’s what the Brussels conference can do for Syria’s children
The Brussels III Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the region kicks off today in Brussels. Delphine Moralis explains why education must be top of the agenda.
Local and geopolitics intrude in Israel’s attempt to supply Europe with gas
Israel is moving quickly with the help of the US in a bid to transform Europe’s energy market. But geopolitics – and a large dose of local activism – could change the economic calculation for the EastMed pipeline, writes Joseph Dana.
Six years after Rouhani’s election, moderation is as far away as ever for Iran
EU Governments and Institutions should severe their ties with Iranian businesses and diplomats, pending serious reforms in order to implement human rights and freedoms, writes Julio Terzi.