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).

Editor's choice
News
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.
Editor's choice
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.

Filter archive

Publication date
Editor's choice
News
Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels (Updated)

Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels (Updated)

"The Ministers exchanged views regarding the situation on the ground and discussed next steps and parameters for re-engaging in substantive negotiations. The sides considered several issues for future meetings, including a range of possible confidence-building measures" said a statement issued by the OSCE Minsk Group co-Chairmen
Editor's choice
News
Pashinyan and Morgherini highlighted the good progress in EU-Armenia bilateral relations

Pashinyan and Morgherini highlighted the good progress in EU-Armenia bilateral relations

"High Representative Federica Mogherini confirmed her and the European Union's strong support for the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. In this context it is vital that the sides engage fully in negotiations without preconditions, under the auspices of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs," said a statement from the European External Action Service.
Editor's choice
Opinion
Opinion: After elections, Turkey's policy in the South Caucasus will remain the same, only more assertive

Opinion: After elections, Turkey's policy in the South Caucasus will remain the same, only more assertive

Turkey's strategic alliance with Azerbaijan, trilateral co-operation including Georgia, and efforts to transform itself into a regional energy hub, will continue to be the main features of the Erdogan government policy in the South Caucasus, argues Benyamin Poghosyan in this op-ed