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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Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner exchange but no progress made in peace talks

Russia and Ukraine agree prisoner exchange but no progress made in peace talks

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a large-scale prisoner exchange but failed to reach a breakthrough during their first direct peace talks since 2022, held in Istanbul without either Vladimir Putin or Volodymyr Zelensky. Sitting down under pressure from the US president, Donald Trump, Ukraine had pushed for a 30-day ceasefire before the talks. Moscow rejected this, appearing to stick to its maximalist demands, including sweeping restrictions on Ukrainian sovereignty.
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News
Leaders meet in Albania to debate European security concerns

Leaders meet in Albania to debate European security concerns

The leaders of 47 European countries and organizations are gathering Friday 16 May for a one-day summit in Albania’s capital Tirana to discuss security and defense challenges across the continent, with the Russia-Ukraine conflict at the top of the agenda. The theme of the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Tirana is “New Europe in a new world: unity - cooperation - joint action.” The gathering will also address ways to improve the continent’s competitiveness and tackle unauthorised migration.

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Editor's choice
News
Frontex sees increase in number of illegal migrants at EU external borders

Frontex sees increase in number of illegal migrants at EU external borders

The European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, has seen an increase in the number of people trying to enter the European Union illegally. Furthermore, in a report published on Monday (21 June), the European Court of Auditors said Frontex was not sufficiently helping the bloc to curb illegal migration and cross-border crime.
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News
EU adopts concept on cultural heritage in conflicts and crises

EU adopts concept on cultural heritage in conflicts and crises

The Council of the European Union on Monday (21 June) approved conclusions welcoming the EU Concept on cultural heritage in conflicts and crises, which enhances the EU's approach to peace, security and development. The conclusions recognise that cultural heritage can play a key role in promoting peace, democracy and sustainable development by fostering tolerance, inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue and mutual understanding
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Opinion
Opinion: Indo-European rapprochement and the competing geopolitics of infrastructure

Opinion: Indo-European rapprochement and the competing geopolitics of infrastructure

With the geopolitical focus shifting towards the Indo-Pacific region and China's growing assertiveness, Indo-European relations become increasingly important. In this op-ed for commonspace.eu, Alex Petrosyan looks at how the EU and India are taking their co-operation to a higher level with the Connectivity Partnership launched in May, and why even closer relations are necessary.
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Editorial
Editorial:	TRACECA poised to play an increasingly important role in the connectivity Europe-Caucasus-Asia

Editorial: TRACECA poised to play an increasingly important role in the connectivity Europe-Caucasus-Asia

TRACECA is a child of the EU’s ambition to be a global player. The EU should not forget, nor ignore, nor sideline, TRACECA’s work. Instead it should recognise that TRACECA has shown it is resilient and adaptable. The next phase of EU-IGC TRACECA co-operation must therefore be more strategic, and more ambitious.