EU facing a challenge in the Balkans that is largely of its own making, writes Toby Vogel
01 Dec Security & Defence

EU facing a challenge in the Balkans that is largely of its own making, writes Toby Vogel

The sources of the latest crisis lie in the EU’s unwillingness to confront nationalist leaders determined to cement their power by wrecking the progress the region has made since the end of various armed conflicts in the 1990s
by Toby Vogel
Juan Fernando López Aguilar interview: A Union in Law
28 Sep Security & Defence
Juan Fernando López Aguilar interview: A Union in Law
A renewed southern partnership
02 Dec Security & Defence
A renewed southern partnership
European Parliament told Pegasus Project spyware routinely used against journalists, civil society and political opposition figures
30 Nov Security & Defence
European Parliament told Pegasus Project spyware routinely used against journalists, civil society and political opposition figures
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Urges MEPs to act against country’s dictatorship
26 Nov Security & Defence
Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Urges MEPs to act against country’s dictatorship
Having debated the crisis on the Union’s borders with Belarus on Tuesday the European Parliament on Wednesday turned to the country labelled as “Europe’s last dictatorship” itself
This week in the European Parliament
22 Nov Security & Defence
This week in the European Parliament
November’s Strasbourg plenary session, to be held once again in a hybrid format due to the worsening COVID situation, is promising a rich and equal mix of policies and politics, suggests Andreas Rogal
Issue 545 | 22 November 2021
22 Nov Security & Defence
Issue 545 | 22 November 2021
The latest edition of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free.
The complexity, scale and threat of sunken munitions and chemical residues requires action at European level, argues Anna Fotyga
15 Nov Security & Defence
The complexity, scale and threat of sunken munitions and chemical residues requires action at European level, argues Anna Fotyga
Munitions dumping from decades ago continues to be a concern, says Polish MEP
Issue 544 | 08 November 2021
09 Nov Security & Defence
Issue 544 | 08 November 2021
The latest edition of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free.
MEPs make history with Taiwan delegation visit
05 Nov Security & Defence
MEPs make history with Taiwan delegation visit
Seven-strong MEP visit follows adoption of European Parliament report calling for more cooperation with ‘key partner and democratic ally’
MEPs adopt cybersecurity report
29 Oct Security & Defence
MEPs adopt cybersecurity report
New legislation will help make EU a safer place to work and do business, says rapporteur Bart Groothuis
MEPs clash over new EU asylum and migration proposals
27 Oct Security & Defence
MEPs clash over new EU asylum and migration proposals
LIBE committee shadow rapporteurs call for deadline extension for the submission of amendments to Swedish centre-right MEP Tomas Tobé’s report
This week in the European Parliament
25 Oct Security & Defence
This week in the European Parliament
MEPs end the month with a busy committee week that includes focus on gender equality
The EU must begin working on a Bilateral Investment Agreement with Taiwan, argues Charlie Weimers
22 Oct Security & Defence
The EU must begin working on a Bilateral Investment Agreement with Taiwan, argues Charlie Weimers
Taiwan is EU’s natural and like-minded partner, says Parliament’s rapporteur, following report’s successful adoption in plenary
It’s time for the EU to open the world’s ‘Global Gateways’ explains Reinhard Bütikofer
08 Oct Security & Defence
It’s time for the EU to open the world’s ‘Global Gateways’ explains Reinhard Bütikofer
German Greens/EFA MEP says EU’s Global Gateway initiative should extend its reach beyond Eurasia to Africa
MEPs back ban on AI-driven mass and indiscriminate surveillance
06 Oct Security & Defence
MEPs back ban on AI-driven mass and indiscriminate surveillance
European Parliament calls for a ban on police and judicial authorities using facial recognition technology in the EU, at least in the form of mass surveillance in public spaces
China, multilateralism and NATO dominate European Parliament’s lively debate on EU-US relationship
05 Oct Security & Defence
China, multilateralism and NATO dominate European Parliament’s lively debate on EU-US relationship
European Parliament plenary debate on the future of EU-US relations made clear that there is still hope and that the transatlantic partnership can continue to grow, despite recent upsets
The EU must keep its word to the Western Balkans on the prospect of EU membership, says EESC President
05 Oct Security & Defence
The EU must keep its word to the Western Balkans on the prospect of EU membership, says EESC President
Upcoming EU-Western Balkans summit in Slovenia should send a strong signal that the countries of the Western Balkans have a future within the EU, writes Christa Schweng
EU Cybersecurity Strategy can fuel Europe’s ambition to become a global digital leader
30 Sep Security & Defence
EU Cybersecurity Strategy can fuel Europe’s ambition to become a global digital leader
MEPs Eva Kaili, Rasmus Andresen and Evžen Tošenovský provide their views on the current legislative situation ahead of the European Parliament’s adoption of the NIS2 Directive
EU needs to up its game on cybersecurity and do more to monitor, detect and counter cyber espionage, says Bart Groothuis
30 Sep Security & Defence
EU needs to up its game on cybersecurity and do more to monitor, detect and counter cyber espionage, says Bart Groothuis
The threat posed by cybercrime will only increase in future, so we all need to improve - and the EU institutions need to lead by example, argues NSI2 rapporteur
Why the European Union is failing to build peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia PM+
28 Sep Security & Defence
Why the European Union is failing to build peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia
Although steps have been taken to find lasting peace in the South Caucasus region, more can be done by the EU to support its eastern partners, argues Parviz Yarmammad.
AUKUS submarine fallout rumbles on as EU backs France
21 Sep Security & Defence
AUKUS submarine fallout rumbles on as EU backs France
Canberra, London and Washington heavily criticised for what’s been described as the three nations’ ‘cack-handed approach’ to negotiating new alliance
This week in the European Parliament
06 Sep Security & Defence
This week in the European Parliament
Afghanistan, Women's' Rights, combatting Digital Disinformation and Beating Cancer are among the topline issues being discussed and debated this week by MEPs
European Parliament censures EU home affairs ministers for ‘selfish, short-sighted and irrational’ response to Afghanistan situation
06 Sep Security & Defence
European Parliament censures EU home affairs ministers for ‘selfish, short-sighted and irrational’ response to Afghanistan situation
MEP reaction to ministers' focus on mitigating potential 'illegal migration', overwhelmingly critical, ranging from disappointment to anger and despair
This week in the European Parliament
30 Aug Security & Defence
This week in the European Parliament
Returning to Brussels for their first committee week after the summer recess, MEPs are faced with two overarching crises impacting on their usual ‘rentré’ business
Belarus accused of ‘weaponising’ migrants, in row over EU border breaches
23 Aug Security & Defence
Belarus accused of ‘weaponising’ migrants, in row over EU border breaches
Belarus is becoming ever more troublesome for Europe, especially for its immediate EU neighbours, reports Andreas Rogal
EU’s foreign policy chief brands Afghanistan pull-out a ‘catastrophe’
19 Aug Security & Defence
EU’s foreign policy chief brands Afghanistan pull-out a ‘catastrophe’
High Representative Josep Borrell updates MEPs on rapidly-changing situation in Afghanistan during extraordinary joint session on Thursday
European Parliament to hold emergency debate on Afghanistan
18 Aug Security & Defence
European Parliament to hold emergency debate on Afghanistan
MEPs calling for extensive EU action on accepting refugees and protecting ‘those who worked and cooperated with us’