EU: Taliban recognition hinges on full compliance with international norms
Read the response to our letter sent to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell regarding the EU’s Afghanistan policy and human rights issues, with a particular focus on Afghan women’s rights.
How the US election could shape Europe’s security future?
EU Watch interviewed Finnish politician Mika Aaltola, who serves for the first time as a Member of the European Parliament. We discussed the issues of the impact of US elections on Europe’s security, NATO and the EU enlargement.
‘Kaja Kallas is my hope for an EU that speaks with one voice’, says Austrian MEP Brandstätter
EU Watch interviewed Austrian politician Helmut Brandstätter, who serves for the first time as a Member of the European Parliament. We discussed the issues of Ukraine’s support, EU enlargement, migration and media freedom.
Former Estonian Foreign Minister: “We should make Russia understand that the West is not weak anymore”
In our most recent podcast edition of “EU Matters”, the Vice-Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament and former Estonian foreign minister, Urmas Paet, talks about the threat of Russia to Europe and the West’s support for Ukraine, as well as the recent developments in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.
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.
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.
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.
Squaring the concentric circles?
Cristina Vanberghen delivers her thoughts on the Franco-German proposal for EU reform
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
“Borrell’s statements are just empty words”: Daughter of Iran prisoner wants stronger EU action
Mariam Claren is campaigning for the release of her mother who was been held in the notorious Evin prison in Iran since 2020. Are European governments doing enough?
“Russia sanctions will remain in place for a long time”: EU Sanctions Envoy David O’Sullivan
INTERVIEW: The former senior European Commission official is tasked with overseeing the implementation of restrictive measures. EU Watch sat down with him for an interview.
EU treaty change: “I can see it happening in the context of enlargement”
INTERVIEW: The change from unanimity to qualified majority voting in the foreign policy won’t radically transform the EU. But it could help forge a faster policy and actions, argues SWP EU expert Nicolai von Ondarza.
“There is a lot more the EU can do vis-à-vis Iran” | A view from Washington
The European Union should list Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organisation, argues the Middle East expert Matthew Levitt
German expert says most European states still prioritise NATO over EU
Nicolai von Ondarza of Germany’s SWP think-tank about European Union’s role and effectiveness in security and defence.
German MEP urges EU states to expel Iranian ambassadors
Dietmar Köster doesn’t mince words on what the European Union should do towards Iran in an interview with EU Watch.
EU adopts ninth Russia sanctions package
The measures are aimed at a range of economic sectors and also include almost 200 new individuals and entities subject to asset freezes and travel bans.
“Awful timing”: Hungary to deepen relations with Iran
European lawmaker Katalin Cseh criticizes the Orbán government’s move to deepen relations with the Iranian regime.
European Parliament to declare Russia a “state sponsor of terrorism”
The leaders of the main political groups in the European Parliament have agreed on a strongly-worded resolution on Russia.
“Europe cannot defend itself without America”
Interview with Egils Levits, President of the Republic of Latvia, on how to deal with the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
More sanctions on Iran are coming – but are they enough?
The European Union is preparing a new sanctions package over Iran’s brutal suppression of protestors. How effective are the EU’s restrictive measures?
[Opinion] Time for bolder action against Iran
David Wollach argues for a more assertive approach of the European Union against the violent crackdown in the Islamic Republic.
More than “strategic intimacy”?
The first meeting of the European Political Community was held in Prague – it remains unclear how the new format will evolve.
Qualified majority voting in EU foreign policy?
Reforming the EU decision-making process in the area of foreign policy is a very sensitive issue.
“EU should recognize Uyghur genocide”
EU Watch interview with the leadership of the World Uyghur Congress
“Europe is still very weak”
Interview with EU affairs veteran Elmar Brok on the enlargement and reform of the European Union.
“Germany cannot lead the EU”
Poland’s former Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski on Ukraine, EU enlargement and the latest proposals of Emmanuel Macron
Iran policy: “Europe should not follow the Americans”
The French economist Thierry Coville, researcher at IRIS in Paris, discusses the EU’s role in negotiations with Iran
Syrian foreign minister added to EU sanctions list
The European Union has added Faisal Mekdad to its restrictive list.
EU adopts new sanctions mechanism
Restrictive measures can now be imposed by the EU against serious human rights violators.
EU considers imposing sanctions against Turkey
The final decision on restrictive measures lies with the European Council
