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 […]
EU and India formally relaunch trade talks Read More »
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
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
EU looks at Israel and Egypt to reduce dependence on Russian energy Read More »
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
A closer look at political developments in Kazakhstan Read More »
On a visit to Iraq with a delegation from the European Parliament, German ECR MEP Lars Patrick Berg stated: “Iraq needs the EU’s support now. Security, energy, water, migration and democracy are at the top of the agenda. Also thank you to General Iannucci, Commander of the NATO Mission to Iraq – for his assessment.”
Visit of MEP Lars Patrick Berg to Iraq Read More »
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
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
EU policy makers call for closer EU trade ties with India Read More »
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
Iraq voices support for voluntary return of Iraqis denied asylum in the EU Read More »
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
Is Russia losing its grip on Central Asia as a result of the sanctions? Read More »
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
Montenegro no longer against joining the “Open Balkan” initiative Read More »