ENM – Page 4 – European Neighbourhood Monitor

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

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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EU and Indonesia Reach Agreement in Principle on Free Trade Deal After a Decade of Talks

Indopacific / ENM

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that the European Union and Indonesia have reached an agreement in principle on a long-awaited free trade deal. The milestone comes after nearly a decade of negotiations that began in 2016. “This agreement comes at the right time,” von der Leyen said during a joint press

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Serbia’s Delicate Balancing Act

Western Balkans / ENM

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić is continuing a delicate diplomatic balancing act as he tries to maintain strong relations with Russia while keeping Serbia’s long-standing aspirations for European Union membership alive. Vučić’s recent appearance in Moscow at Russia’s Victory Day military parade in May stirred criticism from EU officials. The visit marked his first since Russia’s

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Tensions in Yemen on the rise

Middle East / ENM

According to Israeli officials cited by The Times of Israel, an airstrike conducted late last week in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a was aimed at Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari, the Chief of Staff of the Houthi military. The Israeli military has not confirmed the outcome of the operation, but officials claim the strike coincided with

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EU Poised for Trade Deal with U.S. Ahead of July 9 Deadline

Americas / ENM

The European Union is reportedly prepared to finalize a trade agreement with the United States before the looming July 9 deadline set by President Donald Trump, aimed at averting a threatened 50 percent tariff increase on EU exports. However, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has underscored that “all options remain on the table,”

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EU Sidelined as Iran-Israel Peace Deal Unfolds Without European Input

Middle East / ENM

A surprise ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel, announced late Sunday, appears to have been brokered primarily through U.S.-led diplomacy—without direct involvement from the European Union. The development has drawn attention to the EU’s limited role in the recent escalation and subsequent de-escalation in the region. On the same evening the agreement was revealed, Dutch

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The European Commission: Out of Touch with Reality and Democracy

Environment, Trade / ENM

By Pieter Cleppe, editor-in-chief, BrusselsReport.eu As the European Commission charges ahead with a new climate ambition—cutting emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990 levels—it seems determined to ignore both economic warning signs and the political will of European citizens. Despite a clear electoral setback for green parties in the 2024 European Parliament elections, Brussels

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Canada Clears Path for U.K. to Trade Under CPTPP

Trade / ENM

Canada has agreed to ratify the United Kingdom’s entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), resolving a major sticking point in bilateral relations and paving the way for both countries to trade under its terms. The move marks a significant step toward strengthening U.K.-Canada commerce as the two allies seek to

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Malaysia Slams EU’s “Standard Risk” Deforestation Label

Indopacific / ENM

Malaysia has sharply criticized the European Union’s decision to classify it as a “standard risk” country under the EU’s new anti-deforestation regulation, arguing that the designation is based on outdated data and reflects a broader pattern of the EU using environmental policy to exert control over trade. Speaking at an event in Singapore, Malaysian Commodities

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Author name: ENM