European Union

Europe’s Election Sunday Marked by Tension

Sunday, May 18 saw three significant referendums held across the European Union – in Romania, Poland and Portugal. In each case, pro-European candidates came out on top, prevailing over a far right that continues to gain ground across the continent. At a time when Europe is navigating the turbulence of war in Ukraine and increasingly strained ...

With Assad Down and Sanctions Lifted, Are Syrian Refugees Finally Being Pressed to Leave?

The startling decision by United States President Donald Trump to lift economic sanctions on Syria, coupled with the collapse of the Assad regime, could fundamentally reshape how the Syrian displaced population in Lebanon is managed – unless their permanent return to Syria remains excluded from the agreement being brokered among the key parties ...

UK-EU set to Seal Closer ties in First Summit Since Brexit

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to seal a deal for closer ties with the European Union at a landmark summit on Monday, opening a new chapter after Britain's acrimonious exit from the bloc five years ago. EU diplomats said on Monday a deal had been reached on resetting ties with the UK after late night talks to resolve differences on key ...

What's on the Agenda at Landmark UK-EU Summit?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting EU chiefs at a summit on Monday, the first of its kind since Brexit, as he tries to deepen relations with the bloc. Here are the main issues at stake, with sensitive details still being thrashed out in hardball negotiations that are set to go down to the wire. Defense pact  Both parties are hopeful of ...

EU Allocates €8 Million to Support Stability and Peace in Post-Conflict Lebanon

The European Union announced on Wednesday a funding package of €8 million to support peace, stability and security in Lebanon following over a year of devastating conflict. The 13-month conflict has caused severe humanitarian consequences, including widespread civilian casualties, massive displacement and destruction of infrastructure, putting ...

Lebanon Launches Water Sector Reforms with Support from International Partners

The Minister of Energy and Water, Joe Saddi, held a working meeting with key international donors and organizations to launch a strategic dialogue on the future of the country’s water sector. The minister announced that the national water sector strategy will be revised. “Valid elements will be retained, gaps will be addressed, and necessary ...

EU Unity Urged as Germany Enforces Border Controls on Migration

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called Friday for migration to be tackled jointly by member states as she hosted new German leader Friedrich Merz, whose government has moved to turn back asylum seekers at its borders. "Migration is a common European challenge and it needs a common European solution," the commission president told a news conference ...

Brussels Warns Trump: Tariffs on US Cars, Planes if No Deal Reached

The EU on Thursday threatened to target US cars and planes among a raft of products worth 95 billion euros ($107 billion) if negotiations with President Donald Trump's team fail to avert a trade war. The European Commission said it would, in parallel, file a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Trump's imposition of swingeing ...

EU eyes targeting 100 bn euros of US goods with tariffs

The EU is preparing to hit US goods worth nearly 100 billion euros ($113 billion) with tariffs in retaliation for President Donald Trump's sweeping levies if talks fail, European diplomats told AFP Wednesday. Trump has slapped a series of higher tariffs on Europe since March and in his biggest move, he imposed a 20-percent tariff on a majority of ...

Syrian Leader to Meet Macron in First European Visit

The Syrian president, Ahmad al-Chareh, arrived in Paris this Wednesday and was received by French president Emmanuel Macron for a first and controversial visit to the West. On this occasion, he is expected to call on Macron to punish those responsible for the "abuses" that have tarnished the image of the Islamist coalition in power since ...

China says to Welcome EU Chiefs Costa, Von der Leyen for Visits

China said Tuesday it would welcome EU chiefs Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen for visits as part of events marking 50 years of ties between Beijing and the bloc. "China welcomes European Council President Costa and European Commission President von der Leyen to come to China for a new round of China-EU meetings," foreign ministry spokesman ...

Pro-EU or Pro-Trump? Romania Faces Decisive Choice in Vote

Pro-EU Romania is facing a possible foreign policy shift, with a far-right leader -- and fan of US President Donald Trump -- topping the first round of a tense election rerun and now up against a centrist mayor for president. While politicians opposed to Trump's policies have won in Canada and Australia recently, George Simion, who leads the ...