ENM – European Neighbourhood Monitor

EU-US Framework Agreement Eases New EU Deforestation Rules

In a significant development for transatlantic trade and environmental policy, the European Union has formally recognized that “production of the relevant commodities within the territory of the United States poses negligible risk to global deforestation”, according to a joint framework agreement publicly released by the White House on August 21. This acknowledgment represents a strategic […]

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Kazakhstan Overtakes Russia and China in GDP Per Capita

Central Asia / ENM

Kazakhstan is on track to become the wealthiest country in the post-Soviet space in terms of GDP per capita, according to the latest figures from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Central Asian nation’s GDP per capita is expected to reach $14,770 in 2025, surpassing Russia’s $14,260 and China’s $13,690. Turkmenistan follows at $13,340. Other

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Russia Moves Forward with Major Uranium Development in Eastern Siberia

Eastern Europe / ENM

Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has officially begun development of the Shirondukuyskoye uranium deposit in Eastern Siberia, situated near the city of Krasnokamensk — commonly known as Russia’s “uranium capital” — close to the borders of China and Mongolia. The project is expected to yield its first uranium by 2028, according to the company’s mining

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Kazakhstan and Turkey Advance Strategic Ties

Central Asia / ENM

Kazakhstan and Turkey have taken steps to deepen their partnership following Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Ankara, signaling a shift toward broader strategic cooperation in Eurasia. The visit resulted in binding agreements and infrastructure commitments, reflecting an agenda that extends beyond cultural exchange or basic trade relations. Bilateral Cooperation Gains Structural DepthOfficials from

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A Crisis of Trust

European Union / ENM

How the EU’s NGO Funding Machine is Losing Public Confidence By Pieter Cleppe Once hailed as the world’s most trusted institutions, NGOs have seen their credibility erode. Two decades ago, the Edelman Trust Barometer ranked NGOs above corporations, governments, and media. Today, businesses are more trusted than NGOs. This shift isn’t accidental—it’s the result of

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Azerbaijan and Ukraine Launch First Gas Shipment via Trans-Balkan Route

Eastern Europe / ENM

In a move seen as a potential step toward diversifying regional energy flows, Azerbaijan and Ukraine have agreed to initiate their first natural gas shipment between the two countries. The shipment will avoid Russian territory, instead using the Trans-Balkan route that passes through Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania. The announcement was jointly promoted by Naftogaz, Ukraine’s

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Trump Announces Major Trade Deal with the European Union

Americas / ENM

US President Donald Trump has announced a landmark trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, highlighting significant economic and defense commitments that promise to reshape transatlantic relations. According to Trump, the deal includes the EU agreeing to purchase $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S., $150 billion specifically in U.S. energy

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“Russia’s Influence in Post-Soviet States Declines Amid Shifting Regional Dynamics”

Eastern Europe / ENM

Russia is facing a notable decline in its influence over several post-Soviet states, as countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia pursue greater independence, forge new alliances, and reduce Moscow’s military and economic presence, experts say. Jeffrey Mankoff, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, highlighted these developments in a recent

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A Craving for Power and Money: The EU Commission’s Budget Proposal

European Union / ENM

By Pieter Cleppe The European Commission’s proposed 2028–2034 long term EU budget exemplifies its growing craving for power and money. Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed to strongly increase the “MFF” or Multiannual financial framework from €1.2 trillion to €2 trillion. Also, Brussels seeks to shift fiscal power from member states

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EU Deforestation Regulation Faces Scrutiny Over Inconsistent Risk Classifications

Indopacific / ENM

The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), designed to prevent deforestation through tighter controls on commodity imports, is encountering growing opposition from both corporate stakeholders and environmental analysts. Central to the criticism is a disparity between how the EU categorizes countries by deforestation risk and the actual deforestation trends observed through satellite and field data. A

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Author name: ENM