October 2025 – European Neighbourhood Monitor

An Endless Appetite for Taxes: Inside the EU Commission’s Policy Mindset

This summer, the European Commission unveiled five new proposed “own resources” to fund the EU’s next long-term budget — the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) covering 2028–2034. While two of these ideas, the “Corporate Resource for Europe” (CORE) and the “Tobacco Excise Duty Own Resource” (TEDOR), have drawn the loudest resistance from member states, the real […]

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EU to Exempt Small Farmers from Deforestation Rules Amid Growing Global Backlash

Trade / ENM

The European Union is preparing to ease the burden of its landmark anti-deforestation law by exempting small farmers and foresters from some of its most stringent reporting requirements. The move, confirmed by multiple EU officials involved in negotiations, marks a major adjustment to one of the bloc’s most ambitious green policies — and comes as

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US and Qatar Warn EU That Due Diligence Law Could Threaten LNG Supplies

Energy / ENM

The United States and Qatar have jointly warned the European Union that its planned Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) could undermine Europe’s energy security, competitiveness, and industrial resilience. The rare joint appeal from the world’s two largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters comes as Brussels faces growing internal and external pressure to rethink its

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EU and India Intensify Efforts Toward Free Trade Agreement

Trade / ENM

The European Union and India are entering the final phase of their free trade negotiations, maintaining near-continuous contact to finalize an agreement by the end of the year, according to the European Commission. Negotiators from both sides recently met in Brussels, where they reported progress on several key issues. A major development was the closure

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Russia Invites India to Cooperate on Arctic Development and the Northern Sea Route

Arctic / ENM

Russia has proposed deeper cooperation with India in the Arctic region, particularly on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) — the maritime corridor that connects Asia and Europe along Russia’s northern coast. The proposal includes collaboration in building port infrastructure, investment in Arctic shipping, and a potentially stronger observer role for India in the Arctic Council.

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