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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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. 
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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.

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Commentary
Commentary: There is a lot of good-will towards Armenia in the EU, but Russia remains the elephant in the room

Commentary: There is a lot of good-will towards Armenia in the EU, but Russia remains the elephant in the room

Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan will on Monday (27 February) start an official visit to the European institutions in Brussels. The visit comes as Armenia and the EU finalise a new framework agreement that will form the basis of their relations for the next decade.
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Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers met in Munich

Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers met in Munich

After a hiatus of many months Armenia and Azerbaijan are talking again about a settlement of the Karabakh conflict. Diplomats chairing the OSCE Minsk Process called on Armenia and Azerbaijan "to demonstrate greater flexibility and to resume comprehensive negotiations"
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EUSR Salber meets with Georgian Prime Minister

EUSR Salber meets with Georgian Prime Minister

Georgia and the EU emphasised the importance of the Geneva International Talks as the paramount mechanism for discussing problematic issues relating to the conflict regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and for making appropriate decisions.
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Morgherini: "You do not change borders by force"

Morgherini: "You do not change borders by force"

Speaking at the Atlantic Council in Washington on Friday, Mrs Morgherini said that the European Union has a strong policy and principled position when it comes to Ukraine based on the basic, vital principle that you do not change borders by force.
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Commenatry: Azerbaijan and the EU embark on a new chapter in their relationship
Commenatry: Azerbaijan and the EU embark on a new chapter in their relationship

Commenatry: Azerbaijan and the EU embark on a new chapter in their relationship

The visit of President Aliev to Brussels this week has been very positively assessed in both Brussels and Baku, however this relationship is not an automatic fit, and it will take time and effort on both sides for relations to develop to the qualitative higher level that the two sides want. But what is abundantly clear to both sides is that, this notwithstanding, Azerbaijan and the EU have much to benefit from a strong relationship, and also much to contribute.