In a joint letter, a cross-partisan group of Members of European Parliament have urged EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell to take urgent actions to protect Armenia from the Azerbaijani aggression. Among the signatories are German ECR MEP Lars Patrick Berg and Swedish ECR […]
MEPs call for EU sanctions against Azerbaijan Read More »
The United States have warned Turkey against working with sanctioned Russians or Russian banks, in a letter from the U.S. Treasury to Turkish business associations. In a letter, US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo (picture) warned Turkish banks and companies that they may face secondary sanctions. He wrote: “Any individuals or entities providing
U.S. tells Turkey not to help circumvent Russian sanctions Read More »
By Pieter Cleppe French President Emmanuel Macron will prioritise increasing cooperation and support in the field of food and security to West-African countries, Euractiv reports. It notes that he has pushed this for this during his four-day trip to the region last month, when he visited Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau. In particular, he wants France
French President Macron warns for Russian influence in Africa Read More »
By Pieter Cleppe The latest 24 hours have seen a lot of movement on the possible reactivation of the Iran nuclear deal, dubbed JCPOA. Last week, the EU sent Iran the “final text” of a revived deal, aimed at restricing Iran’s nuclear programme, in exchange for relieving sanctions. In response to the events, the United
New Iran nuclear deal is not agreed yet Read More »
Writing for the Council on Foreign Relations, academic Michelle Gavin, a senior fellow for Africa Studies and the former United States Ambassador to Botswana, highlights Russia’s growing influence in Africa, writing: “Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s four-country Africa swing attracted a great deal of attention in Western media outlets, which framed his trip as a
Russian company Gazprom has announced that gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany would be reduced to only 20 percent of the capacity. This happens right after Siemens finally delivered transport documents for the Nord Stream turbine that had been stuck in Canada for weeks. Gazprom will now halt one more Nord
Gazprom announces gas supply reduction for Nord Stream 1 pipeline to Germany Read More »
This week, the EU and Azerbaijan agreed to strengthen the existing cooperation, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy, in a bid to secure alternative gas supplies for Europe. Both sides are also negotiating a new comprehensive agreement, to allow for enhanced cooperation in a wide range
EU and Azerbaijan agree to strengthen energy cooperation Read More »
Oil supply disruptions in Libya have escalated in past weeks, further increasing concern in Europe over its energy supply. This was due to protests, blockades and shutdowns at key oil infrastructure in the unstable country, as only 650,000 b/d in oil was pumped in June, which is the lowest level since October 2020 and meant
“Russia’s presence in Libya provides it with the strategic depth to squeeze Europe” Read More »
Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) was ordered last week by a Russian court to suspend its operations, citing environmental arguments, meaning that Kazakhstan annual supply of 67 million tons of oil through Russia to Europe is under threat. This was only two days after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told Council President Charles Michel his country is ready
Kazakhstan’s oil supply to the EU under threat? Read More »
The EU’s decision to only grant Georgia EU candidate status after addressing certain priorities, unlike Ukraine and Moldova, continues to make waves. Commenting to Stuttgarter Nachrichten, German ECR MEP Lars Patrick Berg states: “Denying Georgia accession status is a terrible sign and a big strategic mistake by the EU”, adding that there is a danger
Will the EU snubbing Georgia push it closer to Russia? Read More »