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Veteran Socialist lawmaker: “We always knew that the EU would come under attack from guys like Putin”
16 February 2024

Veteran Socialist lawmaker: “We always knew that the EU would come under attack from guys like Putin”

German MEP Udo Bullmann talks about the importance of human rights in EU’s foreign policy, the EU as a player on the world stage and foreign interference in EU politics.

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16 February 2024
EU’s pivotal steps toward Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia: A personal perspective on the region’s historic shift
15 December 2023

EU’s pivotal steps toward Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia: A personal perspective on the region’s historic shift

Professor Cristina Vanberghen delivers her opinion on the European Council’s decision to green-light negotiation talks with Ukraine and Moldova.

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15 December 2023
EU Sets Global Standard for AI Regulation
12 December 2023

EU Sets Global Standard for AI Regulation

Professor Cristina Vanberghen delivers her analysis of the EU AI Act, which regulates the use of Artificial Intelligence in the Union.

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12 December 2023
Enhancing our understanding of the EU’s role in the Middle East
3 November 2023

Enhancing our understanding of the EU’s role in the Middle East

Professor Cristina Vanberghen delivers her analysis on the EU’s role in mediating Middle East conflicts.

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3 November 2023
Friends of EU Watch Fund launched
24 October 2023

Friends of EU Watch Fund launched

A new fundraising platform to support the mission and projects of EU Watch has been established under the auspices of the renowned King Baudouin Foundation in Belgium.

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24 October 2023
David McAllister: “The EU should be a global player, not just a payer”
5 October 2023

David McAllister: “The EU should be a global player, not just a payer”

The chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs on the role of the European Parliament and the European Union in world politics.

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5 October 2023
Squaring the concentric circles?
4 October 2023

Squaring the concentric circles?

Cristina Vanberghen delivers her thoughts on the Franco-German proposal for EU reform

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4 October 2023
Borrell: “EU has a special duty of care”
22 September 2023

Borrell: “EU has a special duty of care”

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell responds to questions from EU Watch and Hostage Aid Worldwide on European hostages jailed in Iran.

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22 September 2023
Letter to Josep Borrell concerning the case of Johan Floderus and other EU citizens held hostage in Iran
12 September 2023

Letter to Josep Borrell concerning the case of Johan Floderus and other EU citizens held hostage in Iran

EU Watch and Hostage Aid Worldwide have asked EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell what he and the EU diplomatic service have done to secure the release of his staff member Johan Floderus and other EU citizens who have been held hostage in Iran for long time.

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12 September 2023
After the coup in Niger: What are the options for the EU?
10 August 2023

After the coup in Niger: What are the options for the EU?

What are the consequences of the military coup in Niger, and is the European Union’s response adequate?

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10 August 2023
Open letter for the release of Iranian artist Toomaj Salehi
14 July 2023

Open letter for the release of Iranian artist Toomaj Salehi

EU Watch joins more than 150 politicians, organizations, and activists in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Iranian rapper and dissident Toomaj Salehi. Please find below the full letter.

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14 July 2023
“Write your last letter to your mom”: How an Iranian dissident broke free from Khamenei’s regime
12 July 2023

“Write your last letter to your mom”: How an Iranian dissident broke free from Khamenei’s regime

Arash Hahmpay, an Iranian dissident and activist details his dreadful experience with the Islamic regime in Iran and how he escaped to Germany.

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12 July 2023
EU-Turkey relations: “Erdogan is not 12 feet tall”
19 June 2023

EU-Turkey relations: “Erdogan is not 12 feet tall”

Turkey expert Dimitar Bechev argues that the European Union has a lot of leverage on Ankara, in spite of Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s re-election.

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19 June 2023
Council reaches agreement on controversial reform of asylum rules
9 June 2023

Council reaches agreement on controversial reform of asylum rules

Member states want new rules for the processing of asylum applications, including a solidarity mechanism.

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9 June 2023
Outsourcing EU foreign policy?
9 June 2023

Outsourcing EU foreign policy?

Should private companies be entrusted with formulating EU foreign policy priorities asks Cristina Vanberghen, an expert on EU affairs, regarding a controversial €4 million tender by the European Commission.

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9 June 2023
The Taliban Conundrum: What’s next for the EU in Afghanistan?
7 June 2023

The Taliban Conundrum: What’s next for the EU in Afghanistan?

What are the European Union’s policy options vis-à-vis Afghanistan? How can it help the Afghan people, especially women? Leading experts give their insights. Join us for this online event organised jointly by the Afghan Institute for Strategic Studies (AISS) and EU Watch.

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7 June 2023
Polish judiciary reform infringes EU law, European Court of Justice rules
5 June 2023

Polish judiciary reform infringes EU law, European Court of Justice rules

Rule of law is "an integral part of the identity of the European Union", the judges held Poland’s highly contested 2019 reform of the judiciary is not in line with

5 June 2023
Letter to HRVP Borrell concerning the plight of EU citizens held hostage in Iran
19 April 2023

Letter to HRVP Borrell concerning the plight of EU citizens held hostage in Iran

EU Watch recently sent a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell in which we asked him what he and the EU diplomatic service have done to free EU citizens detained in Iran, such as Jamshid Sharmahd (Germany) and Ahmadreza Djalali (Sweden) who are both facing executions.

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19 April 2023
“Iran must be treated like Russia”: Daughter of abducted dissident sentenced to death in Iran urges change of strategy
13 April 2023

“Iran must be treated like Russia”: Daughter of abducted dissident sentenced to death in Iran urges change of strategy

German national Jamshid Sharmhad was hijacked by Iranian agents in Dubai in 2020. His daughter Gazelle is campaigning for his release and urges Europe to take a tougher line with the Islamic Republic.

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13 April 2023
Confronting authoritarian regimes: How should the EU deal with Iran? – 20 April 2023, 16:00 CET – REGISTER NOW
11 April 2023

Confronting authoritarian regimes: How should the EU deal with Iran? – 20 April 2023, 16:00 CET – REGISTER NOW

Should Iran’s Revolutionary Guard be added to the EU terror list? What has been done to free European citizens held hostage in Iran? Is the current EU policy vis-à-vis the Iranian regime effective? Leading experts give their insights. Join us for this online event.

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11 April 2023

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We will keep you informed about our latest publications and events. EU Watch will store your email address in our database. It will not be shared with third parties.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the link at the bottom of the newsletter. Find out more in our privacy policy

Become an EU Watch supporter!

Would you like to support the work of EU Watch and make the EU better?
index
Who are we

EU Watch is a non-governmental organisation registered in Belgium that seeks to promote debate and understanding of the European Union.

Read more about our mission and what we focus on.

The EU Matters Podcast COVER square (1400 × 1400 px)
Podcast

EU Watch has launched the “EU Matters” podcast. With this new format, we want to shed some light on subjects that are of importance to citizens and Brussels decision-makers alike.

Listen and subscribe to it.

EU Watch videos

The foreign policy of the European Union in a nutshell

There are four major EU institutions involved in foreign policy decision-making: the Council (which brings together government ministers of the 27 member states), the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European External Action Service (EEAS) which is headed by the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy (HRVP).

The HRVP (currently the Spaniard Josep Borrell) is appointed by the European Council (heads of government of the EU member states) for a term of usually five years. Ex officio, he is also a member of the European Commission, of which he is a vice-president.The HRVP also chairs meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council and as such has a leading role in two EU institutions, which is unique. The HRVP heads the European External Action Service (EEAS), which is the diplomatic service of the European Union. The EEAS manages EU delegations in third countries and prepares proposals for decisions and actions.

Decision-making on foreign policy is slightly different than in other policy areas.

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