Neighbourhood policy
France pushing for tough EU response to any West Bank annexation
France is urging its European Union partners to consider threatening Israel with a tough response if it goes ahead with a de facto annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank, three EU diplomats said.
EU’s Strategic Sovereignty start in Eastern Europe
While European societies take stock on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic on the EU, it has been increasingly common to hear that the pandemic proved the need for the EU to be more strategically sovereign. No doubt about that. But the real test for EU power and its strategic sovereignty won’t be in masks, but on how the EU deals with external problems, not least in its neighbourhood, write Nicu Popescu and Gustav Gressel.
Fatnassia camp is a time-bomb that threatens whole of North Africa
The ongoing armed conflict in Libya is going to push thousands of people, now asylum-seekers in Libyan camps, to escape towards the Southern border regions of Tunisia, Medenine and Tataouine, writes Mourad Teyeb. Mourad Teyeb is a journalist and consultant...
Commission announces a 3 billion loan package for EU’s neighbours
The European Commission announced on Wednesday (22 April) a €3 billion loan package for ten enlargement and neighbourhood countries to limit the economic fallout of the pandemic.
Despite controversy, the Energy Charter Treaty is silently being pushed into Africa
Joining the Energy Charter Treaty could cost developing countries money that is urgently needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, argue Pia Eberhardt, Cecilia Olivet and Faith Lumonya.
Refugees left behind in coronavirus crisis, aid groups warn
With restrictive measures imposed across Europe, authorities are struggling to provide food and shelter for migrants and asylum seekers sleeping outdoors, aid organisations have warned.
Morocco shuts off Spain’s Ceuta and Melilla enclaves over virus
Morocco closed the border with Ceuta and Melilla, Spain's two North African enclaves, early on Friday (13 March) to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus, officials said.
UN agency calls for new safe harbour rules for migrants from Libya
The International Organization for Migration on Wednesday (19 February) called on the world community to devise a "safe disembarkation mechanism" for migrants fleeing Libya, the day after a port in the capital of the war-torn country was hit by a barrage of rocket fire.
Rights court clears Spain over Melilla migrant pushbacks
Spain committed no violation when it expelled migrants trying to force their way onto EU territory by scaling fences in a North African enclave, the European Court of Human Rights ruled Thursday (13 Fenruary). The ruling, which reverses an earlier...
UN Security Council calls for ‘lasting ceasefire’ in Libya
The UN Security Council on Wednesday (12 February) adopted a resolution calling for a "lasting ceasefire" in war-torn Libya, where a fragile truce has been in place since January.
Palestinian leader warns UN on Trump’s ‘Swiss cheese’ peace
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Tuesday (11 February) urged the UN Security Council to reject President Donald Trump's Middle East plan, saying it would splinter Palestinian lands and never bring lasting peace.
Israel summons Belgian envoy over UN invite to children rights activist
Israel has summoned a top Belgian diplomat for a "very harsh" rebuke after it invited activist Brad Parker to address the UN Security Council on Tuesday (11 February).
Borrell holds talks in Iran to de-escalate tensions
Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell on Monday (3 February) held talks in the Iranian capital during a mission aimed at lowering tensions over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme.
Turkey hits back after Syrian shells kill Turkish troops
Turkey said on Monday (2 February) its military hit dozens of Syrian government targets after eight Turkish military personnel were killed by shelling in Idlib in northwest Syria, where fighting threatens to test ties between Ankara and Moscow.
Top EU diplomat to visit Tehran amid nuclear tensions
Top EU diplomat Josep Borrell was Monday (3 February) due to visit Iran, said officials in Tehran and Brussels, on his first trip there since taking office, aiming to reduce rising tensions over the Islamic republic's nuclear programme.
Abbas says Palestinians cutting all ties with Israel, US
Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas announced Saturday (1 February) a cut of all ties with Israel and the United States, including security cooperation, after Washington unveiled a controversial Middle East plan seen as favouring Israel.
EU responds to Trump’s Middle East peace plan
The European Union's top diplomat said Tuesday (28 January) that the bloc remains "firm and united" behind the quest for a negotiated two-state peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
Dozens killed as Damascus presses Idlib offensive
Dozens of fighters and civilians were killed in Syria's Idlib province as the government pressed a deadly offensive Thursday (16 January) towards a key town in the country's last rebel bastion.
Russia urges Persian Gulf nations to consider a joint security mechanism
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday (15 January) Moscow has been urging Gulf countries to consider a common security mechanism for the region and it was time the world got rid of unilateral measures such as sanctions.
EU powers to trigger Iran nuclear deal dispute mechanism
Britain, France and Germany will trigger the dispute resolution mechanism in the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, two European diplomats said on Tuesday (14 January), the biggest step the Europeans have taken in response as Tehran has backed off nuclear commitments.
Libya peace talks in Moscow fall short of ceasefire deal
Libya’s warring leaders made some progress at indirect peace talks in Moscow on Monday (13 January) but failed to agree on an open-ended ceasefire to end a nine-month war over the capital Tripoli.
US to join probe of Ukrainian jet disaster that killed 176
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has accepted an invitation from Iran to take part in its investigation into the crash of a Ukrainian airplane in Tehran, the agency confirmed late on Thursday (9 January).
Iran missile attacks target US forces in Iraq; Trump says ‘All is well!’
Iran launched a missile attack on US-led forces in Iraq in the early hours of Wednesday in retaliation for the US drone strike on an Iranian commander whose killing has raised fears of a wider war in the Middle East.