The European Union’s perspective on China has undergone a notable transformation in recent years. This change can be attributed to the escalating tensions between the United States and China, mounting concerns over human rights violations, and the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Chinese stance. The EU must reassess its China strategy amid these shifting dynamics.
The rise of Viktor Orbán’s right-wing populist party, Fidesz, in Hungary in 2010 has led to tension and conflict between Hungary and the EU. The Hungarian government’s numerous legislative acts undermine democracy, human rights, and the freedoms of its citizens, posing a pressing issue for both Hungarian citizens and the EU. The EU faces obstacles in holding Hungary accountable for its actions, but prolonged inaction could lead to increasingly severe consequences.
The political crisis in Georgia is a complex issue with a mix of domestic and foreign policy implications. It challenges its pro-Western foreign policy and relations with the West, triggering debates on the possibility of Tbilisi’s shift toward Moscow, turning a blind eye to the need for democratic reforms and falling into authoritarianism.
Increasing security threats and a lack of coordination between European states proved the need to establish a new platform to discuss strategic issues and maintain high-level dialogue between heads of states. It gave a new impetus to the old ideas of Great Europe that were developed in France, namely by Francois Mitterand. Emmanuel Macron has brought this idea back by proposing a European Political Community, which has faced a lot of criticism already. Even so, it can have some substantial benefits for European politics and contribute to shaping the European security order.
The article seeks to outline the key factors that impacted the EU’s decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. It touches on the issues of EU-Russia competition in the shared neighborhood and relations between the EU and the Associated Trio countries.
