Middle East
Eight EU member states call for Syria policy reset
Est. 2minA group of eight member states has called on the EU to “review and assess” its approach to Syria ahead of a broader discussion on the situation in the Middle East between Eurpean Union foreign ministers on Monday (22 July).
Von der Leyen pitches new portfolio for Mediterranean, teases enlargement file split
Est. 5minEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday (18 July) announced she would create a separate portfolio to deal with the Mediterranean, as part of her next team, signalling her next term will pay more attention to the region.
Gaza officials say 90 Palestinians killed as Israel targets Hamas military chief
Est. 6minAn Israeli airstrike killed at least 90 Palestinians in a designated humanitarian zone in Gaza on Saturday (13 July), the enclave's health ministry said, in an attack that Israel said targeted Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.
EU signs €1 billion financing deal with Egypt as part of migration deal
Est. 3minThe European Commission on Saturday (29 June) signed €1 billion in macro-financial assistance with Egypt, part of a previously agreed funding package to help Cairo pursue substantial economic reforms.
Hezbollah threatens war against Cyprus if Nicosia keeps helping Israel
Est. 4minHezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah on Wednesday (19 June) warned "no place" in Israel would be spared in case of full-blown war against the Lebanese group, and threatened Cyprus if it opened its airports to Israel.
Swedish EU diplomat Floderus freed in Iran prisoner swap
Est. 3minSwedish EU diplomat Johan Floderus and another Swede, Saeed Azizi, both held prisoner in Iran, have been released and are on a flight home to Sweden, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on Saturday (15 June).
US steps up pressure for Gaza ceasefire
Est. 5minThe United States stepped up pressure Monday (10 June) for a Gaza ceasefire with a call for a UN Security Council vote on a truce as it redeployed Washington's top diplomat to the region scarred by eight months of war.
EU invites Israeli foreign minister Katz to ‘ad hoc’ Association Council over Gaza
Est. 3minThe EU invited on Wednesday (5 June) Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz to attend an 'ad-hoc' EU-Israel Association Council to discuss the country's compliance with its human rights obligations under the deal.
Limited appetite among member states for EU trade sanctions on Israel
Est. 4minAmid growing calls for economic sanctions against Israel in view of the worsening humanitarian toll of its military operations in Gaza, EU trade ministers briefly discussed the issue on Thursday (30 May) but remained far from deciding on actual steps.
The Brief – Is the EU ready to break taboos to restrain Israel?
Est. 6minWith horrifying images coming out of Gaza, Europeans have started looking for the right tools to exert pressure on Israel, but they might not be able to bridge their fundamental internal differences.
Spain will not recognise changes to 1967 Israeli-Palestinian border lines, Sánchez warns
Est. 4minSpain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Tuesday (28 May) Madrid will not admit changes to the 1967 border lines that were not previously agreed between Israel and the Palestinian state, which Madrid officially recognised on the same day in a coordinated move with Ireland and Norway.
French lead candidates show deep splits over recognition of Palestinian state
Est. 5minTop French candidates for June’s European elections showed just how split they were over the recognition of a Palestinian state in a TV debate on Monday night (27 May), with the left-of-centre being clearly in favour and the rest saying the time was not right yet.
EU mulls Rafah mission, next diplomatic steps after talks with Arab counterparts
Est. 4minThe EU is ready to reactivate its border mission around the besieged southern Gaza city of Rafah. The EU's foreign ministers on Monday (27 May) agreed on this as part of stepping up their diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in the region.
EU and Arab ministers to discuss Gaza war, future two-state solution
Est. 5minEU foreign ministers will meet with their six counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE in Brussels on Monday (27 May) for the second time in a few months to discuss efforts to end Israel’s war on Gaza.
Israel recalls ambassadors as Ireland, Norway and Spain recognise Palestinian statehood
Est. 3minIsrael will recall its envoys from Norway and Ireland and possibly other European countries, Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday (22 May) after several EU countries announced in a historic move the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Spain, Ireland, possibly others to announce recognition of Palestinian statehood
Est. 5minSpain and Ireland, and possibly another country, are set to announce the recognition of a Palestinian state on Wednesday (22 May), a move that could further divide EU policy in the region. In recent weeks, EU members Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, and …
EU should not ‘trade in human beings’, warns Amnesty International
Est. 5minThe European Union should not 'trade' with migrants or apply a 'self-serving solidarity' by outsourcing the management of its migration policy to third countries, including Libya or Tunisia, where human rights are not guaranteed, Amnesty International warned.
EU offers mapping services as Iran’s president Raisi, foreign minister missing after helicopter crash
Est. 3minA helicopter carrying Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister crashed on Sunday (19 May), with rescuers struggling to reach the site of the incident.
Spain, Ireland and other EU partners could recognise Palestinian statehood on 21 May – report
Est. 4minSpain is neither confirming nor denying reports that it will join Ireland and "other EU partners" in recognising Palestine as a state on 21 May - a move that would see Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's PSOE follow the demand of coalition partner Sumar.
EU pledges €1 billion for Lebanon to curb migration, support economy
Est. 2minEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday (2 May) €1 billion in financial aid to Lebanon, disbursed over three years, to support the country’s economy and address the challenges posed by refugees and migration.
European, Arab ministers meet in Riyadh to jump-start two-state solution
Est. 3minEuropean and Arab foreign ministers met in the Saudi capital on Monday (29 April) to discuss how to join forces on advancing a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
EU auditors criticise lack of impact, transparency in refugee funds for Turkey
Est. 2minThe EU's refugee funding for Turkey does not have enough impact, while the European Commission has failed to present a sufficient cost analysis and long-term plan, EU auditors said in a report on Wednesday (24 April).
EU vows to double efforts as Lebanon requests migrant return support
Est. 3minThe European Union will support Lebanon, both financially and politically, until the end of 2027, Enlargement and Neighbourhood Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said amid calls from the Middle East country for help in returning migrants to their country of origin.
EU seeks to avert ‘wider war’ in Middle East, zooms in on Lebanon
Est. 5minFollowing Iran’s first-ever direct attack on Israel, EU leaders and diplomats are increasingly looking at how a major escalation in the Middle East conflict can be prevented, including by focusing on neighbouring countries. The wider situation in the Middle East, including …