French minister sees Germanyโs likely next chancellor as positive for EU
Christian Democrat Friedrich Merz hopes to revive talks on a broad trade deal with the U.S.
Sovereignty
โTrumpโs triggered a lotโ: Greenlanders ponder future in the global spotlight
Residents of remote Nuuk do not want to be part of the US but welcome a discussion over their sovereignty
EU bans โTurkaegeanโ slogan following Greeceโs appeal
Territorial sovereignty in the Aegean Sea has been a contentious issue between Greece and Turkey, whose summer economies rely heavily on tourism.
Trump joins historyโs long line of suitors coveting Greenland
America’s 20th and 19th century expansionists would have been delighted by the president-elect’s proposed land grab.
Greenland today, Svalbard tomorrow? Arctic shivers at specter of Trump and Putin
The incoming U.S. administration admits that its stunning polar gambit is about warding off Russian ambitions.
Grabbing Greenland would be a bad deal for Trump
Donald Trump might be eyeing Greenlandโs strategic position in the Arctic and its mineral reserves, but heโs forgetting the U.S. is already getting all it wants from the island.
EU ready to take lead on Ukraine if US no longer willing, says Kallas
Kaja Kallas said she hoped the United States would continue backing Kyiv.
EU dodges questions on Trumpโs mooted invasion of Greenland
“Are you waiting for American marines to land in Greenland or what?โ one journalist pressed the European Commission.
CJEU verdicts incoming, Macron wades in on Musk-Weidel X interview
An eye on the Tech developments emerging mid-week including new CJEU rulings on GDPR, AI protection of deepsea cables, and French rhetoric on digital sovereignty.
The post CJEU verdicts incoming, Macron wades in on Musk-Weidel X interview appeared firs…
Italyโs potential Starlink deal under fire over political, sovereignty, economic fears
Musk hinted that others will follow Italy’s lead in working with his satellite communication service.
The post Italyโs potential Starlink deal under fire over political, sovereignty, economic fears appeared first on Euractiv.
There is no such thing as good nuclear proliferation
In a world less constrained by international norms and rules, and increasingly governed by sheer power, the strictures that long constrained nuclear proliferation are in danger of loosening โ if not untangling altogether.
Jean-Marie Le Pen remembered as a fascist, a visionary and several things in between
Responses to the 96-year-old’s death have become something of a political Rorschach test in France.
Jean-Marie Le Pen, father of the French far right, is dead at 96
Ultranationalist and anti-immigrant views made him a pariah in 1980s France.
Macron accused of ‘contempt’ over Africa remarks
The French president said Sahel nations owed their sovereignty to France’s anti-terror intervention.
Macron accused of ‘contempt’ over Africa remarks
The French president said Sahel nations owed their sovereignty to France’s anti-terror intervention.
Musk โreadyโ to provide Meloni with Starlink secure comms
News of the talks comes shortly after the Italian PM visited President-elect Donald Trump in Florida.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: โThe Goal is to Strengthen the Economy and Sovereigntyโ [Promoted content]
Interview with the Head of State for the โAna tiliโ Newspaper.
The post Kassym-Jomart Tokayev: โThe Goal is to Strengthen the Economy and Sovereigntyโ appeared first on Euractiv.
๐ด Live: President Macron outlines France’s foreign policy for 2025
President Emmanuel Macron on Monday will address Franceโs ambassadors to outline his foreign policy priorities for 2025. In his New Yearโs address to the French people, Macron underlined the importance of upholding Franceโs sovereignty in areas such a…
Two Algerian TikTok influencers arrested in France on charges of inciting violence
Two Algerian men have been arrested in France following allegations they published posts inciting violence on social media platform TikTok. The arrests come amid strained relations between France and its former colony, in the wake of the arrest of Fre…
Always look on the bright side of life โ why 2025 might be better
5 totally not tongue-in-cheek reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead.
Less โEuropean familyโ, more howitzers: Ukraine needs hardware, not cosy words | Peter Pomerantsev
As Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares for possible negotiations, friends and neighbours should be gearing up for industrial warfareWhenever I come to Ukraine, I find words that have lost their essence elsewhere swell again with meaning. The fight for โfreedo…
Zelenskyy accuses Slovak PM Fico of helping Putin weaken Europe
Fico wants to help Putin earn money to fund the war and weaken Europe, says Zelenskyy.
The right to perform secondary movements under international refugee law
Paolo Biondi, EU Asylum
Agency
Photo
credit: Ggia, via Wikimedia
Commons
Introduction
The 1951
Refugee Convention is a pivotal document in international refugee
protection, outlining the rights of as…
Macron tells Mayotteโs cyclone-hit population it would be much more โscrewedโ without France
French president’s comments were met with accusations of neocolonialism.
Putin to Trump: Call me maybe
The Russian leader said he was ready to compromise with the incoming U.S. president on ending the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
UK still finalizing Chagos deal thatโs spooked Trumpworld
Deal over site of secretive U.S. airbase is under threat โ from Mauritius’ new government and Donald Trump.
EU launches โฌ10bn space programme to rival Muskโs Starlink
UK not part of Iris2 project described as โa significant step towards Europeโs sovereignty and secure connectivityโThe EU has launched an ambitious โฌ10bn (ยฃ8.3bn) space programme with a constellation of 290 satellites to rival Elon Muskโs Starlink, fur…
TikTok influencers flee Romania amid tax probe into their election role
Romanian tax authorities are now investigating ultranationalist Cฤlin Georgescu and the TikTok activists who promoted his campaign.
France tells Israel to halt Golan Heights incursion
Paris calls military deployment in buffer zone “a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement” between Damascus and Tel Aviv.
Germany to enable โvoluntary, secureโ returns for Syrian refugees
The foreign office in Berlin has scripted an eight-point plan for a free and democratic Syria.
Expert proposes sovereignty-safe alternative to EU telecoms consolidation plan
Operators need to accept they are slowly “dying” as connectivity is becoming a commodity, Genna said.
The post Expert proposes sovereignty-safe alternative to EU telecoms consolidation plan appeared first on Euractiv.
Qatar open to mediation if Syrian rebels turn on each other
The wealthy Gulf Arab state is in touch with rebel groups on the ground in Syria.
Germany and France agree to work with Syrian rebels on โbasis of fundamental human rightsโ
Western capitals are debating how to engage with the Syrian rebels, who are led by a group that is a designated terrorist organization.
Ukraine war briefing: Scholz confident of developing โjoint strategyโ on Ukraine with Trump
German chancellor wants Ukraineโs sovereignty guarantees but rules out providing Kyiv with long-range Taurus missiles. What we know on day 1,018The German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, is confident he and the US president-elect, Donald Trump, will be able t…
Franco-German fight over South American trade deal threatens EU rupture
Ursula von der Leyen granted the wish of her native Germany by flying off to seal an accord with the Mercosur bloc. France, which fiercely opposes the deal, is in uproar.
US conservatives look to an unlikely ally in court battle over transgender rights: Europe
The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments Wednesday over Tennesseeโs law banning transition-related medical care for minors.
Trump jokes about annexing Canada, prompting nervous laughter
โThe president was teasing,โ insists a top Trudeau minister who attended Mar-a-Lago dinner.
Peace plans galore: Lots of ideas to end the fighting but the sides remain far apart
More than 3 years of fighting and the arrival of Donald Trump is increasing pressure for a peace deal.
Technology sovereignty is an existential matter for Europe [Promoted content]
The DIGITAL SME Summit on 10 December will explore how SMEs can deliver it.
Chad breaks off military pact with France; Senegal wants French troops out
The moves come against a backdrop of Russia’s ambitions to expand its foothold on the African continent.
Chad cuts military agreement with France
The Central African nation cites “sovereignty” as it ends a years-long deal with its former colonial ruler.
A single point of failure
Why Europe’s diamond control node undermines African sovereignty and the Kimberley Process
Trumpโs effect on the Middle East
For good or ill, Trump is already shaping the calculations of combatants in the region, but much depends on how Hezbollahโs bosses in Tehran proceed.
Ukrainians see surrender as the end of their country, geopolitical analyst says
Kyiv was the target of its first missile attack since August on Wednesday morning, in a 2-hour Russian ballistic missile operation that targeted the entire country. FRANCE 24’s Sharon Gaffney speaks to Olga Oliker, Programme Director for Europe and Ce…
Ukrainians see surrender as the end of their country, geopolitical analyst says
Kyiv was the target of its first missile attack since August on Wednesday morning, in a 2-hour Russian ballistic missile operation that targeted the entire country. FRANCE 24’s Sharon Gaffney speaks to Olga Oliker, Programme Director for Europe and Ce…
Trump victory could torpedo UKโs Chagos Islands deal
Britain’s government is being warned deal over home of U.S. military base will only rile the president-elect.
5 things to know about EU tech security chief Henna Virkkunenโs hearing
Elon Musk and Europe’s tech gaps show the Finnish nominee has a major task at hand.
Press release – Hearing of Executive Vice-President-designate Henna Virkkunen
On Tuesday evening, the Industry and Internal market committees questioned Henna Virkkunen, Finnish candidate for the Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy portfolio.Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer ProtectionCommittee on Industry, Rese…
What lawmakers should ask the EUโs new tech boss
Queries for Henna Virkkunen: What’s tech sovereignty? How can Europe win the AI race? And how will you enforce EU tech rules?
Finlandโs commissioner hearing: Henna Virkkunen on tech sovereignty, security and democracy โ live updates
For Finnish Henna Virkkunen, the EUโs designated new tech boss, Tuesdayโs hearing is a home game.ย
Netanyahu looks to revive his bromance with Trump
The Israeli leader lost no time in hailing Trumpโs victory as โhistoryโs greatest comeback.”
Europeโs leaders congratulated Trump. But hereโs what they said about him before.
“Divisive.” “Sociopath.” “False and dangerous.” Europe’s leaders haven’t been shy about criticizing Trump in the past.
Trump win will force Europe to step up defense efforts, say France and Germany
French Armed Forces Minister Sรฉbastien Lecornu and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius were keen to highlight the Continent’s increased efforts after meeting in Paris.
Trump and Macron discuss Ukraine, Middle East in first phone call
The French president wants to lead the EU response to the likely disruption that will be caused by the U.S. president-elect.
Europe should hope for a Trump victory
The bloc has lost its purpose โ and, surprisingly, having the former president back in the White House may be the thing to bring it back.
Middle East peace is possible
The members of the United Nations Security Council must step up and do their duty.
How Brexit helped Britain lose the Chagos Islands
After more than half a century, the U.K. is passing sovereignty of the disputed territory back to Mauritius. Why now?
Hungary taunts Western allies: Weโll talk to whoever we want
The top diplomat of Viktor Orbรกn attended a security conference in Belarus along with Russian FM Lavrov.
France backs Morocco in dispute over Western Sahara
Paris’s change of heart on the question of sovereignty over Western Sahara has angered Algeria.
Digital euro sparks sovereignty battle between EU governments and ECB
Politicians are vying with technocrats for control of a revamp of the single currency that both say poses serious economic risks.
Modi can help negotiate end to Putinโs war in Ukraine, Zelenskyy says
“This is the huge value of India,โ the Ukrainian leader said.
Iran says Israeli strikes cause โlimited damageโ amid escalation fears
The U.S. urges Tehran to stop attacks on Israel “so that this cycle of fighting can end.โ
France speeds up game-planning with possible second Trump presidency looming
There are concerns in France that Trump might try to divide and conquer Europe during a potential trade war.
The end of the British Empire
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and King Charles III head to the Commonwealth summit to talk climate change and growth. Not all their friends will be there.
King Charles III confronted by indigenous activists in Australia
The monarch heard a plea for ‘sovereignty’ after being heckled in Canberra’s Parliament House.
Cull seals and cormorants to save our fish, urge Baltic coastal states
The greater threat is deplorable man-made pollution, the European Commission fires back.
Pro-EU campaign won in Moldova despite โunfair fight,โ president says
Maia Sandu calls on supporters to rally against Russian disinformation and behind the government’s plans to join the bloc in next year’s parliamentary election.
Europeโs tech gap is a major security problem, Ischinger says
Godfather of Munich Security Conference warns that EU lacks investment landscape to close gap with U.S., China.
Battle for Moldovaโs future: Gendered disinformation is Russiaโs secret weapon
Much like the US vice president, who has similarly been the target of disinformation campaigns, Sanduโs candidacy has been a lightning rod for misogyny cloaked in political rhetoric.
Trudeau says Modi targeted Canadians to โprove a pointโ
Prime minister says India made a โhorrific mistakeโ orchestrating violence in Canada.
Paris seeks to calm Sanofi workersโ fears over American takeover
French government threatens sanctions if production leaves France; downplays vetoing the deal.
This isnโt Lebanonโs war
Despite being caught in the cross fire, the Lebanese people overwhelmingly reject both Iranโs imposition of conflict and Israelโs bombardment. They stand abandoned by a caretaker government beholden to Hezbollah.
Iran has a hit list of former Trump aides. The U.S. is scrambling to protect them.
Roughly a dozen national security aides from the Trump White House are feared to be Iranโs hit list. Itโs hard to protect them all.
Taiwanโs ex-President Tsai will visit Brussels next week
Her trip comes amid heightened tensions between Beijing and Taipei, while the EU-China trade war flares up.
Will the UK โgive upโ Gibraltar next? In Spain, weโre more worried about Brexitโs absurdities | Marรญa Ramรญrez
Ignore warnings of the Rock following the Chagos Islands โ new border checks are more of a threat to livelihoods in the territory and beyondA few hours after the British government announced that it was giving up control of the Chagos Islands and handi…
Von der Leyen attacks Orbรกnโs support for Russia in fiery speech to European Parliament
Strong pushback from European Commission president comes one month before grilling of future commissioners
Brexit โchanged everythingโ in the EU, says Orbรกn
Orbรกn laments that the EU’s “natural balance” between pro- and anti-federalist countries was knocked out of kilter when the U.K. left the bloc.
Lonely Vladimir Putin turns 72 as birthday cards trickle in
Allies Alexander Lukashenko and Ramzan Kadyrov are among the few to congratulate Russia’s leader on his big day.
With the handover of the Chagos Islands, the UK cedes part of its colonial past in the Indian Ocean
The Republic of Mauritius had been claiming sovereignty over these islands for over 50 years. The agreement signed by Keir Starmer’s government allows the UK to keep the military base it leases to the US army.
Argentinaโs eyes light up over Falklands as Britain gives away one overseas territory
Chagos Islands deal sparks interest in Buenos Aires, more than 40 years after war between U.K. and Argentina.
EU takes Hungary to court over sovereignty law seen as silencing government critics
The European Commission said on Thursday it was suing Hungary over a law that imposes jail terms for groups that accept foreign funds for political causes, which rights groups say is aimed at silencing critics of the government.
Britain hands Chagos Islands, home of secretive US military base, over to Mauritius
Diego Garcia will remain under U.S.-U.K. jurisdiction for at least 99 years, but forcibly removed Chagossians will be helped to resettle.
UK hands over sovereignty of Chagos Islands to Mauritius
The long-awaited deal announced on Thursday means the UK will retain sovereignty of the military base at Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years.
Hungaryโs โDefence of Sovereigntyโ law challenged in EUโs top court
The European Commission is taking Hungary to the European Union’s top court over its “Defence of Sovereignty” law, which allows a state body to investigate foreign-funded organisations.
Brussels takes Hungary to court over its controversial ‘national sovereignty’ law
Brussels has stepped up its legal action against Hungary’s “national sovereignty law,” arguing it violates a wide range of fundamental rights.
Trump blasts Harris on Iran, says Biden administration is โleading us to brink of World War IIIโ
It was his latest instance of using current events to slam the vice president โ just one day after turning a visit to a community ravaged by Hurricane Helene into a political jab.
Orbรกn, Le Pen and Wilders are buzzing over Austriaโs far right winning election
Russia-friendly Austrian Freedom Party wins big in national vote triggering delight in conservative circles.
What the new EU leadership means for connectivity
From the Draghi report to Ursula von der Leyenโs new College of Commissioners: the telecom sector is now a key ally in delivering on the promise of more competitiveness.
West should set its own red lines, not just accept Putinโs, argues veteran diplomat
Former German diplomat Wolfgang Ischinger says Western leaders should be making more threats and be willing to follow them through.
Netanyahu sows doubt about cease-fire with Hezbollah in UN speech
The Israeli prime minister described the UN as a โcontemptuous farce,โ pushing back on criticisms for Israelโs actions in Gaza.
Biden pledges $7.9B in military aid to Ukraine ahead of Zelenskyy meeting
Helping Ukraine has been a top priority of his administration, US president says, “But there is more work to do.”
Show me the money, Gastein says
SNEAK PEEK โย Gastein day 1 kicks off with a plea to ramp up investment in health โ and ways to do it. โ Can tech help to close the gender health gap? Some think so, but only if its funded and reaches all in need. โ Is COP29 the breakthrough year for health and [โฆ]
Ukraine bets on India to help get peace deal with Putin
Why Narendra Modi is Kyiv’s best hope.
Kosovoโs leader defies western pressure to compromise with Serbia
Prime Minister Albin Kurti says Pristina intends to exercise full sovereignty over its own affairs
What the new French government means for Brussels
With both president and prime minister vying for control in the policy domain, the political picture could look somewhat different.
Reenvisioning Europeโs digital sovereignty
Von der Leyen’s current dominant position presents an opportunity to turn the bloc into a global-facing innovation powerhouse.
French PM Barnier unveils new government, putting budget and EU affairs under his purview
The Cabinet is the โmost right-wing’ in more than a decade.
US builds up naval, troop presence near Alaska amid Russian activity
The actions follow a series of Russian air operations that skirted Alaskan airspace and as Russian and Chinese warships conducted joint exercises across the Pacific.
Are we asking enough hard questions about Ukraine?
When the dust settles, will the Westโs media coverage get a passing grade, or will we find, at times, we allowed our sympathy for the Ukrainian cause to overlook matters we shouldnโt?
Are we asking enough hard questions about Ukraine?
When the dust settles, will the Westโs media coverage get a passing grade, or will we find, at times, we allowed our sympathy for the Ukrainian cause to overlook matters we shouldnโt?