About: external relations

Trump yet to speak to EU leader

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's spokesperson's service gave muddled accounts of the first trans-Atlantic conversation between their boss and America's new leadership.

Multinational border protection teams to be rolled out

Given the continuing refugee crisis, the European Commission wants to secure the EU's external borders with a European border surveillance system. Until it can be implemented, Frontex will commit extra personnel. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Monitoring elections boosts EU’s world image, says top official

The long-standing engagement of the European Union in observing elections around the world will continue during EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton's mandate, the acting director-general for foreign affairs (RELEX) at the European Commission Karel Kovanda told EURACTIV in an interview.

Top EU official: Monitoring elections boosts EU’s image in the world

The long-standing engagement of the European Union in observing elections around the world will continue during EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton's mandate, the European Commission's acting director-general for foreign affairs (RELEX) Karel Kovanda told EURACTIV in an interview.

Call for EU ’embassies’ to support business

Europe's new External Action Service (EEAS) could serve as a first port-of-call for small businesses looking to gain a foothold in foreign markets, according to Europe's main business lobby group.

‘Struggling transitions’ at Europe’s borders

The EU's influence on its greater neighbourhood - from Eastern Europe to Central Asia and North Africa - is fading in some places but offers under-utilised potential in others, according to Richard Youngs, research director at a Spanish think-tank, who presented a new study this week in Brussels.

EU’s new diplomatic corps faces staffing issues

EU foreign ministers earlier this week outlined their vision for the new European External Action Service (EEAS), the diplomatic corps to be created by the Lisbon Treaty. However, many questions remain, notably concerning the body's recruitment procedures.

Institutions wrestle over EU’s first ‘foreign ministry’

As the Swedish EU Presidency prepares to test the ground for the new 'European External Action Service' (EEAS) at the October EU summit next week, the European Parliament rushed to adopt a resolution today (22 October), marking its territory on the future EU diplomatic corps.

The EU, China and the quest for a multilateral world

The accelerated rise of the Chinese economy and the deepening of its relationship with the EU are likely to facilitate a change of forces in the international system and help promote the multipolarisation of international relations, argued panelists at a 2006 IFRI conference entitled "The EU, China and the quest for a multilateral world."

‘The war and peace’ of EU-Russia relations

The Portuguese presidency will not be able to change the substance of relations between the EU and Russia in the next six months, says Elena Prokhova in an 11 July paper for the EU-Russia Centre. However, this period will represent the start of a much-needed period of reflection by both sides, she argues.

Serbia’s European choice

Serbia has to adapt to the EU and not the other way round if it wants to become a member, argues David Gowan in a June 2007 paper for the Centre for European Reform (CER).

The EU and Kazakhstan: economic co-operation and democratic reforms

There is still progress to be made in Kazakhstan if it is to continue down the road to reform, writes Bhavna Dave in a May 2007 paper for the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).

Portuguese foreign minister outlines presidency priorities

The Portuguese presidency will mainly focus on the political agenda and attempting to resolve the institutional impasse, as well as the external agenda, promoting competitiveness, security and improving relations with third countries.

Transnistria on the brink: Sheriffs vs Patriots

The Moldovan opposition newspaper Vremya predicts conflict among the leaders of the tiny breakaway republic Transnistria, putting the region on the brink of an economic and political crisis, according to a Transitions Online analysis. 

Kazakh moves in the energy and foreign-policy arenas

Driven by increasing energy profits, Kazakhstan is looking to secure energy transit, encourage foreign investment, and boost Kazakh influence over regional geopolitical developments, writes Joanne Lillis (EurasiaNet) in this Transitions Online Analysis.

EU, Kazakhstan strengthen energy links

The European Commission and Kazakhstan have signed an agreement that lays the foundation for deeper energy co-operation. Caspian oil, gas and uranium are among the EU's chief objectives.

Analysis: Tensions in EU External Relations Competences

In a policy-oriented analysis, Dr Simon Duke (EIPA, Maastricht) looks at conflicts of competences and “grey areas” between the Community and the more ‘intergovernmental pillars’ on which the Union establishes its external relations - and how to remedy them.

‘Soft power’: sufficient for the EU to raise its international status?

A conference organised by Friends of Europe focused on the EU's influence on the international scene. The EU’s potential need of military capabilities to overcome new security challenges also emerged in the debate.

Kosovo: A Strategy for Economic Development

Transport ministers tackle heavy-weight agenda

Aircraft safety and the second rail package are likely to find agreement during the Council meeting of 27-28 March, while many other issues on the agenda still need to be discussed.

Moving Macedonia Toward Self-Sufficiency: A New Security Approach for NATO and the EU

Macedonia’s Public Secret: How corruption drags the country down

Bosnia’s Alliance for Change Expires as Elections Approach

Convention to consider the EU’s international role

The European Convention will discuss EU external action, including trade, development co-operation, foreign policy, security and defence, at its next session on 11-12 July.