This is Beirut - European Union

France says EU working toward 'rapid' easing of Syria sanctions

This is Beirut, 13/02 19:25 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Thursday that the European Union was working toward swiftly easing Syria sanctions as Paris hosted a conference on the transition in the war-torn country after president Bashar al-Assad's fall. Islamist-led rebels toppled Assad in December after a lightning offensive. The new authorities, headed by ...

Syria's Top Diplomat to Attend Paris Transition Talks

This is Beirut, 13/02 09:15 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Emmanuel Macron European Union Damascus

Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is to attend an international conference in Paris on Thursday on the political transition after Islamist-led rebels seized power from president Bashar al-Assad in December. The trip will be the first such official visit to Europe for talks by the top diplomat of post-Assad Syria after he attended the ...

Trump 2.0: A New Challenge for European Common Defense

Ali A. Hamadé, 11/02 09:00 - Reading : 6 minute(s)

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With Donald Trump beginning a second term in the White House, Europe finds itself at a pivotal moment in an evolving geopolitical landscape. His first term had already shaken the transatlantic alliance by casting doubt on US security commitments to Europe. Now, his return is fueling heightened concerns and deepening mistrust among European ...

Five Years On: How Has Brexit Impacted the UK?

Ali A. Hamadé, 09/02 15:15 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

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Five years after the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union, the repercussions of Brexit remain tangible, with significant effects on several key sectors of the British economy. While some had anticipated a swift recovery, the country still seems to struggle with the challenges that have emerged since this historic turning point. The ...

International Community Welcomes Lebanon’s New Government

This is Beirut, 08/02 18:25 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The formation of Lebanon’s new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has drawn international support, with key diplomatic figures emphasizing the need for reforms and stability. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon (UNSCOL), Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, described the government’s team announcement as a "new and brighter ...

Europe Closely Monitoring Israel’s Feb 18 Withdrawal Deadline

This is Beirut, 07/02 19:20 - Reading : 1 minute(s)

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The new US administration’s rigorous way of handling foreign affairs was reaffirmed by US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, who openly called for excluding Hezbollah from the next Lebanese government while applauding its defeat at Israel’s hand. The approach that is bound to alienate and provoke Lebanon’s Shiite ...

The Vatican Calls for a Unified Easter Date

Fady Noun, 03/02 11:00 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

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During the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed from January 18 to 25, Pope Francis voiced his support for unifying the date of Easter. "The Catholic Church is willing to accept the date that everyone agrees on: a date of unity," he stated. Catholics and Orthodox Christians traditionally celebrate Easter on different dates due to ...

EU Slams Trump Tariffs, Says Will 'Respond Firmly' If Targeted

This is Beirut, 02/02 17:10 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

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The European Union on Sunday blasted U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, warning that the 27-nation bloc would retaliate "firmly" if targeted. Brussels had previously hoped to avoid a trade conflict with Trump through negotiation. However, on Friday, the U.S. president doubled down, stating he ...

Explaining the Diplomatic Roller-Coaster in Damascus

Élie-Joe Kamel, 31/01 22:10 - Reading : 7 minute(s)

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The diplomatic roller-coaster in Syria’s capital since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime suggests that a strategic shift is underway. This is all the more significant as the Prince of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, made an official visit to Damascus on Thursday, where he was received by the interim Syrian president, Ahmad ...

Syria Sanctions: EU's 'Carrot and Stick' Policy

Liliane Mokbel, 31/01 17:05 - Reading : 5 minute(s)

European Union Syria Sanctions US

The 27-member European Union agreed on Monday on a "roadmap" to gradually ease sanctions on key sectors of the Syrian economy that were imposed under the former regime of Bashar al-Assad. However, the EU has ruled out any unconditional lifting of these measures. The process will be gradual and subject to strict conditions. In other words, the bloc ...

Syria's New Rulers Urge Russia to Fix Past Mistakes

This is Beirut, 29/01 15:15 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

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Syria's new leadership on Wednesday urged Moscow to "address past mistakes" during talks with visiting Russian officials -- the first since former president Bashar al-Assad, a Kremlin ally, was toppled last month. The visit came with Russia keen to secure the fate of two military bases in Syria and after Russian President Vladimir Putin denied ...

Syria: The EU Agrees on a Roadmap to Ease Sanctions

This is Beirut, 27/01 19:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Damascus European Union

EU foreign ministers on Monday agreed to begin easing sanctions on Syria after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, as the West looks to build bridges with the war-ravaged country's new leadership. "This could give a boost to the Syrian economy and help the country get back on its feet," foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said after a ...

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