Security
European human rights court to rule on extremist online videos
Europe's top human rights court will rule on Thursday (19 July) whether online videos considered by a Belgian court to be Islamist hate speech should be allowed under free speech provisions.
Germany says EU aid to Turkey could be halted over arrests
Germany raised the possibility on Wednesday (19 July) of suspending European Union aid payments to Turkey after summoning Ankara's ambassador to Berlin to protest over the arrest of six human rights activists including a German citizen.
Visegrad leaders say EU must show more support for Israel
The EU should better appreciate Israel’s key role in Middle Eastern stability, leaders of the Visegrad Four nations said yesterday (19 July) in a joint attack with Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu on Brussels’ current policy towards the Jewish state.
Estonian ambassador: Trump is right, Europe should pay for own defence
Estonian Ambassador to Poland Harri Tiido explained the priorities of his country’s EU Presidency and talked about the current challenges facing Europe, in an interview with EURACTIV.pl.
Europe’s contribution to resolving the Qatar crisis
The European Commission and the European Parliament could play a role in overcoming the current crisis involving Qatar, especially since the USA is not in a good shape to play this role, writes Dr Ahmed Al Hamli.
EU sanctions 16 more Syria officials over chemical weapons use
The European Union imposed sanctions on Monday (17 July) against another 16 high-ranking Syrian military officials and scientists for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons against civilians, the bloc said in a statement.
Romania says Patriot missile buy meant to boost defence
Romanian military purchases are not intended to put strain on relations with nearby Russia but to strengthen the country's defences, President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday (15 July).
BAE says unfazed by Franco-German fighter project, sees future role
The head of military aviation at UK defence contractor BAE Systems said on Friday (14 July) he did not feel threatened by Franco-German plans to develop a new European fighter and predicted Britain would end up participating in some way.
France and Germany to develop new European fighter jet
France and Germany unveiled plans yesterday (13 July) to develop a European fighter jet, burying past rivalries as part of a raft of measures to tighten defence and security cooperation.
Trump says ‘something could happen’ with Paris climate accord
US President Donald Trump appeared to hold the door open to a change of position on the 2015 Paris climate change agreement which he pulled the United States out of earlier this year.
Be strong or die: Why Europe must become a superpower
The European Union desperately needs power. Not only to push forward but to survive, write Piotr Arak and Greg Lewicki.
Trump heads to Paris but Russia scandal travels with him
US President Donald Trump was today (13 July) headed to Paris, hoping to find respite from the deepening scandal over alleged Russian efforts to secure his White House victory that has ensnared his eldest son.
UK parliament says ‘Sophia’ saves lives, but has not stopped migrant smuggling
The European Union's Mediterranean naval force has failed to stop migrants from making the perilous sea journey to Europe and should not continue operating in its current form, British lawmakers said on Wednesday (12 July).
Ukraine Association Agreement deal sealed ahead of Kyiv summit
After years of delay, the EU formally approved on Tuesday (11 July) the Association Agreement with Ukraine, ahead of a high-profile summit in Kyiv beginning on Wednesday (12 July).
Mogherini, Lavrov agree to disagree on EU-Russia issues
EU diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov yesterday (11 July) said both sides could cooperate on key international issues but traded barbs over Syria at the same time.
US deploys advanced anti-aircraft missiles in Baltics for first time
The United States deployed a battery of Patriot long-range anti-aircraft missiles in Lithuania to be used in NATO wargames from Tuesday (11 July) – the first time the advanced defence system has been brought to the Baltics where Russia has air superiority.
EU hails liberation of Mosul from Islamic State
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on Sunday (9 July) hailed the liberation of Mosul, Iraq’s second city, as a decisive step in the campaign to eliminate terrorist control in parts of the country and to free its people.
Trans-Europe Express: Tanks against migrants
The rhetoric about sending troops to the Brenner Pass was especially reactionary. But Austrian Defence Minister Hans Peter Doskozil felt compelled to use it anyway.
In Warsaw, Trump gently criticises Russia
President Donald Trump affirmed the US commitment to the defence of NATO allies yesterday (6 July) in a Warsaw speech that gently criticised Russia, and he said Western civilization must stand up to "those who would subvert and destroy it".
‘Kamikaze’ bikers linked to Belgian anti-terror swoop
Belgian prosecutors said on Wednesday (5 July) that four people had been detained after automatic weapons were found in house searches in Brussels as part of a counter-terrorism investigation overnight.
EU to consider additional North Korea sanctions after missile launch
The European Union on Tuesday (4 July) warned it may consider additional sanctions against North Korea after it carried out what Pyongyang tested what it claimed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
Tensions grow after Austrian threat to send troops to Italian border
Italy summoned Austria's ambassador on Tuesday (4 July) after Vienna threatened to send troops to the border to block refugees, as the number crossing the Mediterranean topped 100,000 this year.
Commission unveils migrant ‘action plan’ for Italy
The European Commission on Tuesday (4 July) unveiled a new plan to help Italy cope with a massive fresh influx of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, mostly Africans setting sail from Libya.
MEPs denounce ‘attempts to militarise EU’s development policy’
The European Parliament’s Development Committee endorsed on Monday (3 July) an opinion to amend the regulation for establishing one of EU's key external aid instruments.