On 14 December, EU leaders approved the European Commission’s recommendation to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, bringing both countries even closer to joining the EU. This is an extremely positive development for the whole of Eastern Europe, but at the same time there are many obstacles to overcome. Despite Orbán’s best efforts, the…
As part of the comprehensive twelfth package of sanctions adopted yesterday, the Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 61 individuals and 86 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Today’s new listings target primarily the military and defence sectors. The Council is listing more than 40 companies taking part…
I am deeply saddened to learn that my friend and EU Political Report’s Political Editor Philip Bushill-Matthews died on 10th December. His loss is sorely felt; Britain has lost both a witty political commentator and a fine statesman. I first met Philip when he was campaigning to be elected as a Member of the European…
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash There are fears about the impact enlargement could have on the EU’s political power in the world, says a new survey. It says Poland and Denmark are the most optimistic on this question, with a plurality of 43% and 35% of citizens, respectively, believing Ukraine’s accession would have a positive…
Photo by Dmitriy Altynnikov on Unsplash The Republic of Kazakhstan became the first country in the Central Asian region to ratify the Paris Agreement and adopt a Carbon Neutrality Strategy until 2060. Speaking at the World Climate Summit in Dubai within the framework of the UN Climate Change Conference, President of this country Kassym-Jomart Tokayev supported the UN’s…
Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash The international Tax and Investment Centre in Washington and EU Political Report in Brussels are pleased to sponsor an international conference entitled “Central Asia and the EU’s Historic Chance”. The meeting will be held at 10.00 am on Thursday 7th December at the Brussels Press Club at Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels, Belgium. The…
Photo by Andy Newton on Unsplash A former Europe Minister in the UK has ridiculed the appointment of former British PM David Cameron as the country’s new foreign secretary as an “odd gimmick.” Dr Denis MacShane, a former Europe Minister under Tony Blair, told EU Political Report: “David Cameron is known globally as the politician who kneeled before…
Photo by Tomáš Nožina on Unsplash The European Green Party has “congratulated” the new Spanish government formed by PSOE, Sumar and regionalist parties. The message on Thursday came after Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez clinched a vote in parliament to lead Spain for another term as prime minister. He has secured a four-seat majority in the…
Photo by Adrian Dascal on Unsplash The European Union often appears caught up focusing on age-old disputes and losing touch with the evolving global landscape. The major countries in Europe seem content to spend their days haggling over financial matters, rather than adapting to new geopolitical and economic realities. A notable transformation has occurred in Eastern Europe however,…
Ukraine’s Civil Society Hub in Brussels launched a campaign initiative yesterday to eject the Russian Federation from the United Nations. Speakers at the International conference included Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, Volodymyr Yelchenko Ambassador-at-large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Maksym Baryshnikov,…
