EU
“More Courage to Assume Global Power”
The German foreign policy establishment debates EU plans for global power. Former EU commissioner cautions against “complete overconfidence.” BERLIN(Own report) – The German foreign policy establishment is entering the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic with new plans for EU global power. Whereas in particular western powers and their… »
Fire destroys Moria refugee camp: another tragic wake-up call for the EU’s asylum policy
Fires at a reception centre for asylum seekers on the Greek island of Lesbos have left thousands of people without shelter. Around 13,000 people – including those from Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and west Africa – lived at the Moria Reception and Identification Centre (RIC) in a space intended for just… »
Moria I: Large part of the camp set on fire yesterday night
Last night, the camp of Moria was set on fire and a large part of it was completely destroyed. The 12,000 refugees sheltered in the structure spent a wild night of terror. They testified, saying that “they tried to escape in nearby fields around the camp and initially there was… »
Brexit: as the deadline looms, why are negotiations stalling?
The UK left the EU on January 31 this year. Yet, the trading relationship between the two parties will not change until January 1 2021, when the transition period agreed by both sides expires. And with negotiators heading into their eighth round of talks to decide what the future relationship… »
Majority of asylum seekers in need of international protection
Majority of asylum seekers in need of international protection, according to Eurostat first instance asylum statistics More than two thirds of the 29,490 decisions issued by the Asylum Service on asylum applications in the first half of 2020 were positive, according to the latest statistics published by the European Commission’s statistical… »
EU needs new trade chief at critical, uncertain moment
The European Union lost its highly rated trade commissioner Phil Hogan due to an Irish domestic scandal over pandemic regulations. It needs a new one fast given the volume of critical issues mounting up. The resignation of Phil Hogan as the European Commissioner for Trade came about in bizarre… »
EU Subsidies Benefit Big Farms While Underfunding Greener and Poorer Plots
Viewpoint by Murray Scown, Kimberly Nicholas & Mark Brady* The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the European Union’s largest budget item. For the 60 billion euro a year it pays in subsidies, the CAP is expected to support farmer incomes, ensure a supply of quality food, protect biodiversity, tackle climate… »
Unstable Belarus could divide European Union
BY VIKTORS DOMBURS The members of the European Council held a video conference on 19 August. They discussed the situation which unfolded in the aftermath of the presidential elections in Belarus on 9 August. The EU calls on the Belarusian authorities to find a way out of the crisis through… »
The “Coalition of the Determined”
For the EU to assert itself in the power competition between the USA and China, foreign policy makers are calling for a “core European” vanguard. German foreign and military policy makers are pushing for an EU global policy offensive and suggest that a small number of member states should lead… »
Anti-pandemic measures in their home countries deter EU tourists from visiting North Macedonia
North Macedonia has opened its borders to tourists from the European Union (EU) and other European countries, but measures related to COVID-19 prevention are discouraging visitors from choosing the country as a travel destination. A big factor is that some EU countries, Hungary for example, require their citizens returning from… »