Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, China has developed a ‘mask diplomacy’ aimed at the Western Balkans; later evolved into the so-called vaccine diplomacy.
Can the European Union counter China’s ambitions in its eastern neighbourhood?
Now that the UK has left the European Union, there is speculation on the future political relationship between the UK and Eastern Europe. Regardless of potential cooperation, Brexit will still benefit Eastern Europe.
The European Union and the Western Balkans share the same history and future. Therefore, the Chinese interest in the Balkans has long been perceived as an intrusion. Yet, on December 30, 2020, the European Union and China reached an historic Agreement on investment and trade. What does this rapprochement between the two rival suitors mean for the Western Balkans? For sure, the EU-China Agreement is controversial. But it may show a promising opening, by China, to a rules-based economic system. In Eastern Europe, this means that China could be brought to respect the EU 2030 agenda, especially for what concerns the green transition and digitalization.
Portugal takes its turn to lead the Council of the European Union, prepared with a diverse programme that will lead the EU into recovery and new beginnings.
The People’s Republic of China has become one of the most prominent geopolitical leaders worldwide, with a booming economy, growing domestic consumption, and a skyrocketing rise of global financial influence through world-renowned investment projects such as the infamous Belt and Road initiative. Such a rise has deeply affected its energy consumption, requiring a prevalently coal-driven energetic production to keep up with its ramping economic growth.
The investigation into the death of Slovak national Jozef Chovanec at a Belgian airport in 2018 has gained traction again as Slovakia and Belgium kickstart an international cooperative effort to resolve a case of police brutality.
EIGE foresees 60 years before the achievement of gender equality in Europe. It proceeds, but at a slow pace. Meanwhile, the dream of equality does not suffer standstills. A new Gender Action Plan was realized in November 2020. It places gender equality at the centre of external relations and sets a new strategy to turn the tide by 2030.
Does Biden’s presidency put the UK in a better position to secure a post-Brexit US trade deal, or was Trump better for Johnson?
No Brexit deal equals no cooperation on security matters. Both the UK and the EU will lose a valuable partner in information sharing and security measure, but is one of the two going to lose more?
Migration sees the emergence of slave networks from Libya to Italy, continuing to threaten the security of many trapped in exploitative ploys.
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