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
EU air passenger record vote raises mass data collection concerns
16 Jul Security & Defence
EU air passenger record vote raises mass data collection concerns
Parliament's civil rights committee has approved plans for EU passenger name records but MEPs have warned of threat to fundamental rights.
PM+: EU must strengthen eastern and southern neighbourhood in fight against radicalism PM+
16 Jul Security & Defence
PM+: EU must strengthen eastern and southern neighbourhood in fight against radicalism
Secularism, as a bulwark to radicalisation, should be a key EU foreign policy priority, argues the European Foundation for Democracy's Tommaso Virgili.
EU helps reach 'game changer' Iran nuclear deal
14 Jul Security & Defence
EU helps reach 'game changer' Iran nuclear deal
Iran has agreed not to 'seek, develop or acquire any nuclear weapons' after talks with the EU, China, Russia and US.
Russia situation shows need for EU defence union
24 Jun Security & Defence
Russia situation shows need for EU defence union
The EU has extended sanctions against Moscow, but president of the European parliament's Liberal grouping Guy Verhofstadt is calling for further action.
EU citizens' safety and security depends on competitiveness of industry
22 Jun Security & Defence
EU citizens' safety and security depends on competitiveness of industry
A Parliament Magazine event on nano-electronics systems innovation has highlighted the need to further invest in technology for safety and defence purposes.
Migration: EU ministers fail to agree as MEPs urge solidarity following Renzi threat
17 Jun Security & Defence
Migration: EU ministers fail to agree as MEPs urge solidarity following Renzi threat
EU home affairs ministers have so far failed to come to an agreement on a proposed binding mechanism governing the resettlement of migrants arriving in the European Union.
Collaboration and negotiation key to solving EU-Russia crisis
15 Jun Security & Defence
Collaboration and negotiation key to solving EU-Russia crisis
Martin Schulz banning Russian officials from entering parliament is 'not democratically tolerable' and the EU must find better ways to deal with Moscow, writes Miroslav Mikolášik.
European security put at risk by fragmented defence market
27 May Security & Defence
European security put at risk by fragmented defence market
MEPs have called for the creation of a European defence market to curb unnecessary spending.
EU cannot give military responses to political problems
26 May Security & Defence
EU cannot give military responses to political problems
Sabine Lösing warns that the EU's approach to political issues is entrenching a military industrial complex.
Common security and defence policy failing to reach its potential
22 May Security & Defence
Common security and defence policy failing to reach its potential
The EU's security environment has undergone dramatic changes in recent years and is as unstable as ever, and the CSDP must be updated to reflect this, say MEPs.
EU committed to peace, prosperity and stability on its eastern borders
19 May Security & Defence
EU committed to peace, prosperity and stability on its eastern borders
As the threat of Russia looms over peace and stability in the east, the EU must work to strengthen ties and cooperation with its eastern partners, writes Edgars Rinkēvičs.
EU remains open for Belarussian nation
14 May Security & Defence
EU remains open for Belarussian nation
Bogdan Zdrojewski says a mild thaw in EU-Belarussian relations might lead to increased social and economic cooperation, however, Europe's position on human rights remains unchanged.
EU, Russia and Ukraine: What future for the eastern partnership?
13 May Security & Defence
EU, Russia and Ukraine: What future for the eastern partnership?
Othmar Karas looks at what a successful eastern partnership summit could mean for the EU, Ukraine and Russia.
Commission security proposals 'do not go far enough'
29 Apr Security & Defence
Commission security proposals 'do not go far enough'
The commission's new European security agenda has failed to impress MEPs.
Financing for EU military and civilian operations needs reform
29 Apr Security & Defence
Financing for EU military and civilian operations needs reform
MEPs lay out their aims for an updated financing mechanism for the European common security and defence policy.
Mediterranean crisis: EU leaders blasted over 'war on smugglers'
24 Apr Security & Defence
Mediterranean crisis: EU leaders blasted over 'war on smugglers'
MEPs have reacted angrily to EU leaders' response to the rising migrant death toll in the Mediterranean.
Arming Ukraine 'will only extend conflict'
21 Apr Security & Defence
Arming Ukraine 'will only extend conflict'
Eugen Freund urges a diplomatic resolution to the EU-Russia-Ukraine conflict.
EU must increase support to Ukrainian people
21 Apr Security & Defence
EU must increase support to Ukrainian people
As Ukraine continues to suffer under Russian aggression, Ana Gomes has returned from a trip to Kyiv to assess the situation.
Greece calls for an end to 'vicious circle' of EU-Russia sanctions
09 Apr Security & Defence
Greece calls for an end to 'vicious circle' of EU-Russia sanctions
Alexis Tsipras has hit out at Greece's portrayal as a 'debt colony' and outlined his hope of becoming 'a European hub for energy'.
Iran, EU and US strike 'historic' nuclear deal
07 Apr Security & Defence
Iran, EU and US strike 'historic' nuclear deal
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has successfully completed talks with Iran and the US on Tehran's nuclear programme.
EU-Nato coordination key to advancing Afghan transition
07 Apr Security & Defence
EU-Nato coordination key to advancing Afghan transition
Europe has a key role in facilitating Afghanistan's journey towards being 'a fully functioning state', says Petras Auštrevičius.
EU support for Middle East needed to prevent 'new wave of immigration'
23 Mar Security & Defence
EU support for Middle East needed to prevent 'new wave of immigration'
The EU needs to reach a consensus on the 'human catastrophe' being perpetuated by ISIS, writes György Hölvényi.
Europe needs international action plan centred on core values
13 Mar Security & Defence
Europe needs international action plan centred on core values
The scale of civilian death resulting from conflicts is a reminder that human rights must be at the core of our external relations, writes Madi Sharma.
EU needs more responsive neighbourhood policy
12 Mar Security & Defence
EU needs more responsive neighbourhood policy
Eduard Kukan outlines the changing dynamics of Europe's neighbourhood relations.