About: Foreign Affairs

Russia’s war in Ukraine triggers U-turn in Germany’s foreign policy thinking

The German government has broken with its long-standing tradition of its foreign and security policy that was rooted in ‘peace’ diplomacy and reserved defence spending and termed the Ukraine war to be a “turning point” in its policy approach.

Commissioner hearings LIVE: Urpilainen/Johansson/Kyriakides

The European Parliament will be grilling the proposed members of Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission in a series of hearings between 30 September and 8 October.

EU to establish contact group in Venezuela, Guaidó recognition up to member states

The EU will establish an international contact group to mediate in the crisis but leaves to member states the decision to recognize  Juan Guaidó as the president of Venezuela, EU28 agreed on Thursday (31 January).

Parliament recognises Guaidó in Venezuela and calls on 28 to follow

The European Parliament recognised on Thursday (31 January) the Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó as president of the country and called on the EU and its member states to follow suit.

EU alarmed by Internet blackout in Congo after elections

On 31 December, the day after the presidential election, the Congolese government cut off internet access. The European Union has called for the situation to normalise while the preliminary results are still awaited, one week after the poll was held. EURACTIV France reports.

Qatar turns to Europe to escape Gulf blockade

Isolated among the Gulf States for the past year, Qatar has paradoxically managed to steer a successful course through the economic conflict waged against it, by turning to Europe. EURACTIV.fr reports.

EU calls on Israel to respect the rights of Palestinian children

Alarmed by the conditions of Palestinian children in the Israeli military judicial system, the EU has called on Israel, through its representatives in Jerusalem and Ramallah, to respect the children's rights. EURACTIV’s partner Euroefe reports.

Salisbury attack: new economic sanctions would be counterproductive

Sanctions introduced in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea have had a mixed impact on the country and have come at a cost for the EU. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Vladimir Putin: Uncontested ruler of his kingdom

Vladimir Putin’s popularity, 18 years after his accession to power, leaves no doubt about the outcome of the election in Russia taking place on 18 March. His popularity has been built on the systematic erosion of  his opponents' credibility. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Security and development join forces in the Sahel

Military matters will dominate the agenda of the summit on the Sahel region in Brussels on Friday (23 February), but there will also be talks on strengthening development aid in the region. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Boris Johnson: We are leaving the European Union, not Europe

“We have to give effect to the will of the people and leave the European Union, but that in no sense means that we are leaving Europe,” Britain’s new foreign minister Boris Johnson said upon his arrival at the European Council in Brussels on Monday (18 July).

Will the European Parliament defend Kosovo’s democracy?

Kosovo has illegally arrested one third of the parliamentary opposition. On Thursday (21 January) the European Parliament will discuss a draft resolution on Kosovo, which does not even mention the arrests, writes Andrea Lorenzo Capussela. 

The loud silence about Kosovo

Kosovo has illegally arrested its main opposition leader. The European Parliament can, and should, take a strong stance in defence of democracy in Kosovo, argues Andrea Lorenzo Capussela. 

French international influence in decline

French influence in the world declined in 2014, according to the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). Once ranked top in Europe for international affairs, France now occupies third place. EURACTIV France reports. 

EU countries mull sanctions against Belarus

EU diplomats are considering imposing sanctions against the top leaders of Belarus, where President Aleksander Lukashenko, known as 'Europe's last dictator', ordered a violent crackdown on opposition candidates and protesters. EURACTIV Germany contributed to this article.

Ashton to preside over a ‘man’s world’

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has completed the appointments for 28 top officials at the European External Action Service, with only two women appearing on the list, according to a document seen by EURACTIV.

Ashton to obtain speaking rights at UN

European Council and Commission representatives yesterday (24 August) confirmed reports that the United Nations is to grant the EU the right to speak at the body's General Assembly ahead of its 64th session, which starts on 15 September in New York.

EU-US to collaborate on ‘rare earths’

The US Congress and the European Parliament could hold parallel hearings and produce a joint communiqué on crucial raw materials as part of efforts to cooperate on areas of strategic interest, according to a senior Washington policymaker.

Parliament mellows on EU diplomatic service

The European External Action Service (EEAS) is to become official after the summer recess and start recruiting in autumn, it became clear after a key European Parliament committee gave its green light yesterday (6 July) to the EU's diplomatic service.

Obama’s first year: A Transformational Presidency?

"2010 will be decisive in terms of whether Obama keeps his promise of change," writes Marcin Zaborowski, senior research fellow at the Centre for International Studies, in an April paper.

Ashton puts French ‘spider’ at centre of EEAS web

Despite opposition from the European Parliament, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton unveiled on 25 March a proposal that puts a French-style secretary-general and two deputies at the centre of the EU's future diplomatic service.