European Neighbourhood Monitor

Online magazine highlighting research, news and analysis covering the European Neighbourhood

Month: May 2022

Is Russia losing its grip on Central Asia as a result of the sanctions?

Central Asia / By

An analysis on Voice of America News notes that “Russia’s influence in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia is expected to decline as its overstretched military struggles in Ukraine and its economy suffers shocks from the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, according to experts.” The author, Asim Kashgarian, explains: “Russia …

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Montenegro no longer against joining the “Open Balkan” initiative

Western Balkans / By

By Pieter Cleppe Montenegro’s Development and Tourism Minister Goran Đurović has stated that the country is not against joining the “Open Balkan” initiative, following a meeting with his Serbian counterpart in Belgrade. The governments of Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia launched the Open Balkan initiative in October 2019. The aim of it is to establish …

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Map of Somaliland in the 19th century (copyright: Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons)

Somaliland: a democratizing country struggling for recognition

Leave a Comment / Africa / By

MEP Lars Patrick Berg conducts an exclusive interview with Ali Hamud Jibril, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Somaliland Q: Somaliland ended its voluntary union with Somalia in May 1991. Somaliland declared independence on 18 May 1991, a declaration that is not yet recognized by many countries and international organizations. …

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Leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan agree to advance discussions on a peace treaty

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / By

On Sunday, the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan agreed to “advance discussions” on a peace treaty follolwing the war in 2020. The war erupted once again over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, situated in Muslim-majority Azerbaijan with mostly Christian Armenian residents. It is the focus of a decades-long territorial dispute between the two ex-Soviet Caucasus neighbours, Euractiv …

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An assessment of Angela Merkel’s policy towards Turkey

Leave a Comment / Middle East / By

Writing for Politico, Cengiz Aktar, a professor of political science at the University of Athens and an essayist, comments on “The West’s disastrous Russia and Turkey policies”, singling out former German Chancellor Angela Merkel for damning criticism: “During her time in office, former Chancellor Angela Merkel developed a Faustian pact with Erdoğan, paying 10 visits …

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Report of MEP Lars Patrick Berg’s visit to Georgia

Leave a Comment / Caucasus / By

On a recent visit to Georgia together with other Members of European Parliament, German ECR MEP Lars Patrick Berg, commented: “Georgia is an important economic and energy policy partner for the EU. Also from a geostrategic point of view, Georgia’s engagement for peace & stability in the region is of huge importance.” ▶️ #Georgien 🇬🇪 …

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European Parliament Trade Committee grants Ukraine free trade

Leave a Comment / Eastern Europe / By

The European Parliament’s International Trade Committee has given its green light on Monday for a one-year suspension of all EU import duties on Ukrainian exports to support the country’s economy. The temporary trade liberalisation of Ukrainian products includes the full removal of import duties on industrial products, of entry duties on fruit and vegetables, and …

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EU and Armenia to discuss visa liberalization

Leave a Comment / Uncategorized / By

At the upcoming fourth meeting of the EU-Armenia Partnership Council in Brussels, the EU and Armenia will report visa liberalization, Public Radio of Armenia reports. EU member states and Armenia will also exchange views on the state of implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement, and of the Economic and Investment Plan. Furthermore …

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Iran detains two Europeans during visit of EU envoy

Leave a Comment / Middle East, Uncategorized / By

By Pieter Cleppe ABC News reports that Iran has detained two Europeans, just before the EU coordinator of the Iran nuclear talks, Enrique Mora, once again met Iran’s nuclear negotiator in Tehran, over last-ditch attempts to revive the JCPOA Iran nuclear deal. The Iranian regime has refused to provide a lot of details on the …

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Italian energy firm ENI expands activities in North Africa

Leave a Comment / Africa / By

Al-Monitor reports how Italy’s ENI is expanding into North Africa also in response of the war in Ukraine: “Italy’s Eni has moved quickly to capitalize on North Africa’s untapped potential. Counting on its longstanding presence in the region, Eni has signed recent deals with both Algeria and Egypt to maximize production and increase exports. “Eni is …

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