ENM – Page 24 – European Neighbourhood Monitor

EU agrees strategic partnership with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

The European Union Foreign Affairs Council on Monday approved a strategic partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). EU agrees new strategic partnership with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) The EU has approved a new strategic partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which consists of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab […]

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EU and India formally relaunch trade talks

India / ENM

By Pieter Cleppe On 17 June, the EU and India formally relaunched negotiations for a free trade agreement. The purpose is to conclude talks by the end of 2023. The talks had been stalled for almost nine years. 🟢EU & INDIA RELAUNCH TRADE DEAL NEGOTIATIONS🟢@EU_Commission is pleased to announce that EU & India have formally

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European Court of Human Rights prevents UK plan to relocate irregular migrants to Rwanda for now

Africa / ENM

Following a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, the UK had to abort its attempt to relocate irregular migrants to Rwanda, enabling them to file for asylum there. The new UK policy is meant to break the business model of smugglers, but is now facing legal obstacles. Despite UK courts dismissing legal challenging

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EU looks at Israel and Egypt to reduce dependence on Russian energy

Middle East / ENM

In order to deal with the energy crisis, the European Commission is looking at Egypt and Israel to increase import of natural gas. It is proposing this to EU member states in a memorandum of understanding. According to a draft obtained by Reuters, the Commission states: “The natural gas to be shipped to the European Union

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A closer look at political developments in Kazakhstan

Central Asia / ENM

In Kazakhstan, a clear majority of voters approved constitutional amendments proposed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in a referendum earlier this month. The reforms for more decentralisation of decision-making in the oil-rich country, as well as stripping former strongman Nursultan Nazarbayev of his “national leader” status. Turnout was 68.06% and 77.18% of Sunday’s votes were

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Visit of MEP Lars Patrick Berg to Iraq

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov denied right to fly over Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro

Eastern Europe, Western Balkans / ENM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s has been forced to cancel his trip to Serbia after countries around Serbia, notably Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Montenegro, closed their airspace to his aircraft. A senior Russian Foreign Ministry official stated that this caused the trip to be cancelled, commenting: “Our diplomacy has yet to master teleportation.” Following the

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EU policy makers call for closer EU trade ties with India

India / ENM

According to The Print, France’s ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain, has urged the EU to engage in closer trade with India. He stated at a business meeting: “We don’t want to solely depend on China for manufacturing products. So, there is strong support from the government to bring some production back to the EU, and

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Iraq voices support for voluntary return of Iraqis denied asylum in the EU

Middle East / ENM

At a recent meeting, Iraqi Foreign Minister, Fouad Hussein (picture) and EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, discussed the issue of irregular migration between Iraq and the EU, on the the sidelines of the sixth Brussels Conference for Syria and the region. In a statement, the Iraqi government mentioned “the latest measures taken by

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

Central Asia / ENM

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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Author name: ENM