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
Luhansk the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russia

Luhansk the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russia

A Russia-appointed official in Ukraine’s occupied Luhansk region was quoted by AP on Monday saying that Moscow’s forces have overrun all of it, one of four regions Russia annexed from Ukraine in September 2022. If confirmed, it would make Luhansk the first Ukrainian region fully occupied by Russia after more than three years of war with international peace efforts led by the US failing to make progress on halting the fighting. Russian President Vladimir Putin has effectively rejected a ceasefire and hasn’t budged from his demands, which include Moscow’s control over the four illegally annexed regions. 
Editor's choice
News
Denmark takes over EU Presidency with a focus on Security, Migration and Enlargement

Denmark takes over EU Presidency with a focus on Security, Migration and Enlargement

On July 1, Denmark takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time. Under the motto ‘A Strong Europe in a Changing World’, the Danish Presidency said its programme of work will ensure that the EU takes responsibility for its own security, while also strengthening its competitiveness. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that priority will be given to boosting defence capabilities in Europe amid Russia's war in Ukraine and US threats to Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory. Pushing countries to keep promises to boost defence spending and bolstering Europe's "dangerous" security will top Denmark’s agenda as it takes over the rotating presidency on Tuesday, according to Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

Filter archive

Publication date
Editor's choice
Erkin Gadirli: I fully support widening and deepening of relations between Azerbaijan and EU
Erkin Gadirli: I fully support widening and deepening of relations between Azerbaijan and EU

Erkin Gadirli: I fully support widening and deepening of relations between Azerbaijan and EU

Speaking at the Brussels Press Club on Monday (15 May) prominent Azerbaijani politician and thinker, Erkin Gadirli hailed ongoing negotiations between Azerbaijan and EU, but said some format to include civil society and opposition voices in the dialogue needs to be found
Editor's choice
News
International community reacts to closure of OSCE office in Yerevan

International community reacts to closure of OSCE office in Yerevan

There has been a negative assessment of the decision of the OSCE Permanent Council, meeting in Vienna last Thursday (4 May) not to renew the mandate of the Organisation's office in Yerevan. The OSCE Permanent Council operates on a consensus basis, and despiter months of negotiations Azerbaijan continued to veto the extension of the mandate
Editor's choice
The closing down of the OSCE Office in Armenia is a very negative development
The closing down of the OSCE Office in Armenia is a very negative development

The closing down of the OSCE Office in Armenia is a very negative development

In this commentary, Dennis Sammut says this should serve as a trigger for urgent action on many issues - OSCE reform, a holistic engagement with the problems of the Caucasus, a resolution of the Karabakh conflict, and a recognition of the deadly legacy of landmines