By Pieter Cleppe Qatar has warned that the EU’s handling of a corruption scandal in the European Parliament threatens ongoing discussions around energy security, following allegiations that Qatar and Morocco sought to bribe EU legislators to influence policy. Four people have reportedly been charged with corruption, money laundering and being part of a criminal gang after […]
Qatar warns EU over corruption probe Read More »
At the EU-ASEAN Summit last week, Indonesian President Jokowi (picture) lashed out at the EU, issuing a warning related to the EU’s new Deforestation Regulation, suggesting that the EU should not attempt to dictate its standards to ASEAN if it wants to maintain its relationship with Indonesia going forward. He said: “There must be no
Tensions between EU and South East Asia during EU-ASEAN Summit Read More »
An international humanitarian “Christmas Convoy”, driven mostly by NATO and United States veterans, has arrived in Kyiv today, bringing 75 energy generators, 250 wood burning stoves, more than 50 SUV cars and light trucks and other critical winter equipment, in order to to bring relief to the suffering local population. The goods are worth 2
By Pieter Cleppe At a visit to Saudi Arabia, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Gulf Arab leaders that China would work to buy oil and gas in yuan. According to Reuters, this is “a move that would support Beijing’s goal to establish its currency internationally and weaken the U.S. dollar’s grip on world trade.” President
A closer look at China’s pledge to work to buy oil and gas in yuan Read More »
Armenia’s Foreign Ministry has warned the risk of famine is “tangible” in Nagorno-Karabakh since the closure of the Lachin Corridor, thereby calling for an international fact finding mission to the breakaway region. Gabriel Gavin, a journalist specialised in the region, notes that Azerbaijan has repeatedly rejected previous calls for foreign intervention, arguing that movement on
Armenia warns the risk of famine is “tangible” in Nagorno-Karabakh Read More »
Russia’s plan to turn Turkey into a hub for Russian gas in theory could allow Moscow to mask its exports with fuel from other sources, but that might not be enough to persuade Europeans to buy, analysts and sources have told EURACTIV.com and Reuters. A special report on the topic notes: “Russia supplied 40% of
Turning Turkey into a hub for Russian gas still faces great obstacles Read More »
The United States have warned Saudi Arabia and their Gulf allies against engaging too much with China, as the White House top official responsible for the Middle East made clear to Western allies in the Gulf that deepening certain ties with China would hamper their cooperation with their chief strategic ally and security partner. The
Concerns increase about Chinese influence in the Middle East Read More »
The Council, Commission and European Parliament are currently finalising new EU legislation on mandatory due diligence to stop deforestation in supply chains. In September, the European Parliament already voted to substantially tighten up the European Commission’s original proposal, which entails requiring companies to check whether goods sold in the EU have not been produced on
Tensions between EU and South East Asia over EU legislation deemed to ‘increase poverty’ Read More »
German magazine Junge Freiheit has interviewed German ECR MEP Lars Patrick Berg, who is just back from an official European Parliament trip to Armenia. The delegation of MEPs has travelled to Armenia to express solidarity with the country and to get a picture of the current situation on the ground. The article describes how MEP
By Pieter Cleppe Kosovo and Serbia have reached a deal to end a dispute over car plates, following EU dialogue, thereby preventing a dangerous escalation. end a dangerous dispute over car licence plates in northern Kosovo, which the West had warned could trigger ethnic violence. EU high representative Josep Borrell announced on Twitter: “We have
Kosovo and Serbia reach deal to end dispute over car plates Read More »