Region

EU plus

Stories in this section cover the EU-27 countries plus the UK, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Andorra and the Balkan Countries (Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia).

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EU to push for sanctions on Israel ministers and suspend bilateral support

EU to push for sanctions on Israel ministers and suspend bilateral support

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen stated she would push to sanction "extremist" Israeli ministers and curb trade ties over Gaza, as she warned famine should not be used as a "weapon of war". Addressing the European Parliament on 10 September in the annual State of the Union, von der Leyen lamented that divisions among member states were holding back a European response but insisted the European Commission "will do all that it can on its own". "What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. People killed while begging for food. Mothers holding lifeless babies. These images are simply catastrophic," von der Leyen said. The German politician said the Commission would put its bilateral support to Israel on hold, stopping all payments, but without affecting work with civil society groups and Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.
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Opinion
What role for the EU in the post-Washington South Caucasus?

What role for the EU in the post-Washington South Caucasus?

The agreements reached in the US-mediated summit of the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Washington on August 8 are poised to fundamentally reshape the region's future. Particularly, the deal concerning the Zangezur corridor – rebranded as the “Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) – holds significant geopolitical importance. If implemented, the TRIPP agreement would deal a severe blow to the regional standing of Russia and Iran. More importantly, it would pave the way for a strategic U.S. presence in this critical geography. This outcome represents a success that few would have predicted for the United States, especially for the Trump administration, given the region's notoriously complex and volatile geopolitics.

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EU expresses support for judicial reforms in Armenia

EU expresses support for judicial reforms in Armenia

The Head of the EU delegation in Yerevan, Ambassador Switalski, told journalists on Tuesday that one main reason why reforms were needed was that the public had no trust in the judicial system, and this was borne out by a study conducted last year by the EU
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A feeling of deja vue in the Caucasus as US beats war drums on Iran

A feeling of deja vue in the Caucasus as US beats war drums on Iran

The governments in the South Caucasus are looking at developments with a sense of trepidation. All three have important trade and commercial relations with Iran, and the prospect of an all-out confrontation between the Islamic Republic and the US puts all three in a difficult position.
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News
Happy Europe Day

Happy Europe Day

The EU on 9 May marks the anniversary of the Schuman declaration that heralded the start of the European project. Activities are taking place all over the world to mark the day.
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1 May - International Workers Day

1 May - International Workers Day

The theme of Labour Day 2019 is "Uniting Workers for Social and Economic Advancement". Labour Day or May Day honours the hard work of workers across the world and celebrate their achievements.