Latest news with #EUForeignPolicy
Asharq Al-Awsat
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iran Warns Against ‘Destructive Approach' of European Countries
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned in a phone call with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas against what he called the "destructive approach" of several European countries, he said in a statement on Telegram on Tuesday. Araqchi also criticized the stance of some European countries over the recent air war between Israel and Iran, saying it was supportive of Israel and the United States. He did not specify which countries he had in mind. Kallas said after the call that "negotiations on ending Iran's nuclear program should restart as soon as possible". In a post on social media platform X, the EU's top diplomat said cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency "must resume" and that the bloc is ready to facilitate. "Any threats to pull out of the non-proliferation treaty don't help to lower tensions," she added.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brussels, my love? Israel-Iran war creates new layers of anxiety for EU
We are joined this week by the Lithuanian MEP Virginijus Sinkevičius from the Greens, Spanish Socialist MEP Hana Jalloul Muro and Italian centre right MEP Herbert Dorfmann from South Tyrol. The panel reflect on the ongoing Israel-Iran war that has dominated the news this week. An emergency debate was held in Strasbourg in the presence of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. She warned MEPs that the US should not get involved in the conflict, as it could drag the entire Middle East into a wider more dangerous predicament. "Our role is to de-escalate the conflict." Kaja Kallas also told MEPs this week that the ongoing Israel-Iran war should not overshadow the plight of Palestinians in Gaza. Virginijus Sinkevičius fears the war could drag on. "I see that the situation is not going to be resolved easily, because I think Israel has taken a decision. The big question now is what could be the consequences." As MEPs were gathered in Strasbourg, an EU foreign ministers meeting took place in Brussels this week and 17 of the 27 member states backed a move to review the EU-Israel association agreement—pushing a process that began with the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland. The deal was sealed in 1995 and came into force in 2000. Herbert Dorfmann said his group is against suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement. "I think this doesn't make sense in this moment. We need to further work on a diplomatic basis," he said. The panel also discussed the EU China summit that will take place at the end of July. Brussels hopes the occasion will provide better access to Chinese rare earths and critical minerals. All MEPs agreed the EU and China should be friends but that a level playing field was a necessity. "Access to our market is a privilege." "Access to our market is a privilege," Virginijus Sinkevičius said adding that China should play by the same rules. "We need to be intelligent and have leadership," said Hana Jalloul Muro. Finally, MEPs chewed over French President Macron's calls to ban social media for under-15's in France. Greece and Spain are also trying to push for more EU action on this topic. However, all three politicians agreed that education was key and an outright ban may not have desired effects. "Well, good luck!! Is it really up to the state to do that?" Herbert Dorfmann quipped. Watch "Brussels, my love?" in the player above.
The Guardian
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
What next after EU finds ‘indications' that Israel is in breach of human rights obligations?
The EU has concluded 'there are indications' that Israel is in breach of human rights obligations over its conduct in Gaza and the West Bank. But that does not mean the bloc of 27 countries will impose sanctions on Israel any time soon. The EU's foreign policy service has reached the cautious conclusion that 'there are indications' that Israel is in breach of human rights obligations, in a review of its association agreement with the Middle Eastern country. The EU-Israel association agreement, which came into force in 2000, underpins the relationship between the EU's 27 member states and the Mediterranean nation, not only trade but social and environmental cooperation. Under pressure from EU member states appalled by the humanitarian blockade of the Gaza strip, the EU's high representative for foreign policy Kaja Kallas launched a review last month. The review was based on article 2 of the agreement, which states that respect for human rights and democratic principles is an 'essential element'. The report, which is a leaked unpublished draft, is expected to be presented to Israel's government by the EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. More immediately, Kallas will outline the findings to the EU's 27 foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday. She wants to assess how far governments back the review and what to do next. While the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains catastrophic, with near daily fatal shootings of people queuing for food rations, warnings of famine and the collapse of water systems, EU processes move slowly. Kallas is expected to present a list of possible options to foreign ministers in July. In theory these could include full suspension of trade with Israel, or freezing its participation in EU programmes, but nobody knows. Such measures to put pressure on Israel would require further legal processes and their approval is highly uncertain. Even hedged in the low-key, caveat-laden language of the EU, the leaked document marks a significant moment in EU-Israel relations. But it is far from clear if it will change the calculus for the Israeli government.
Washington Post
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
EU's top diplomat warns that Russia has a plan for long-term aggression against Europe
BRUSSELS — Russia poses a direct threat to the European Union through acts of sabotage and cyberattacks, but its massive military spending suggests that President Vladimir Putin also plans to use his armed forces elsewhere in the future, the EU's top diplomat warned on Wednesday. 'Russia is already a direct threat to the European Union,' EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. She listed a series of Russian airspace violations , provocative military exercises , and attacks on energy grids, pipelines and undersea cables.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
EU has alternative plans if Hungary vetoes Ukraine's accession, Kallas says
The EU would like to secure unanimous support, but it has alternative plans if Hungary vetoes Ukraine's accession to the bloc, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on May 9. "We have a plan B and a plan C. But our focus is plan A, the essence of which is to get everyone's support," Kallas reporters in a visit to Lviv. Hungarian Prime Minister has been a vocal critic of President Volodymyr Zelensky and has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin. Orban on April 22 publicly shared photos of himself marking "against" on a ballot in a national poll opposing Ukraine's accession to the EU. " has its own homework, and the EU also has to do its homework... we are working with the Hungarian government," Kallas said. Hungarian officials have repeatedly threatened to undermine Ukraine's EU candidacy and EU support for Ukraine. Hungary has repeatedly blocked or delayed EU aid packages for Kyiv. "But if that doesn't work, we're already working on a plan B, but I won't reveal it. We're still in the process," said. European officials have denounced Hungary for aligning with Russia. European officials, including Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, have suggested stripping Hungary of its voting power within the bloc. "The accession process, or as we call it, the reunification process, is important not only for Ukraine, but also for the European Union," Kallas said. Hungary maintains positive relations with Russia in contrast with other EU members. On March 26, Hungarian Foreign Minister visited Moscow to discuss continued between the two countries. "Article 7 of the Treaty on provides for the possibility of withdrawing a member state's voting rights if membership endangers the security of Europe and that of the other members.... that's exactly what (Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor) Orban is doing," Tsahkna said in an interview released on April 5. Read also: 5 things Putin conveniently left out of his Victory Day speech in Moscow We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
