The traveller’s guide to European economic sovereignty
Europeans have set out on a journey towards greater economic sovereignty. They will only reach their destination if they learn to navigate an interconnected world.
European Neighbourhood Policy
Enlarged and in charge: Why the EU needs a new approach to accession
The EU’s enlargement policy will only remain effective if it judiciously manages its relations with Western Balkans countries
Image rites: Poland’s new role in Europe
Warsaw is in a uniquely strong position to launch an ambitious initiative for the EU’s eastern neighbourhood. To do this, it will need to use its new image in Europe to good effect.
Closed-skies diplomacy: What the Western Balkans can do for the EU
The still-incomplete web of allies and institutions that the EU has woven in the Balkans in the last 30 years is not only strong but also valuable to its geopolitical struggle against Russia
7 Jun
Belarus after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: The challenge of dual political identity
How to effectively separate the Belarusian society from the regime when taking sanctions measures? Will the independence of Belarus survive international isolation left alone with an expansionist Russia?
Vision quest: How Europe should safeguard its security
To prevent catastrophic wars, European states should concentrate on stabilising the West’s accomplishments and defending them against the revisionist policies of Russia in Europe and China in Asia
24 Feb
European strategic sovereignty in the Southern neighbourhood
The EU’s lack of strategic sovereignty in the MENA region need not be permanent
21 Dec
Sovereign Europe, hostile world: In conversation with Josep Borrell, HRVP
The EU’s High Representative, Josep Borrell, and Mark Leonard discussed why strategic autonomy matters
Europe needs to nurture security partnerships or face growing isolation
No matter who wins the US election, the EU will need to play a bigger security role in its neighbourhood
20 Jan
BCM: What does Europe think?
ECFR´s associate researchers come together to debate the upcoming challenges the EU is facing in 2020. Come and join the debate!
Publications
The Way Back: Brain Drain and Prosperity in the Western Balkans
The EU should do more to promote circular migration as part of their ongoing pursuit of European integration
Europe’s Neighbourhood: Crisis as the new normal
Europe’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) needs drastic reform to deal with a region characterised by conflict, counter-revolution, and extremism
Articles
The traveller’s guide to European economic sovereignty
Europeans have set out on a journey towards greater economic sovereignty. They will only reach their destination if they learn to navigate an interconnected world.
Enlarged and in charge: Why the EU needs a new approach to accession
The EU’s enlargement policy will only remain effective if it judiciously manages its relations with Western Balkans countries
Image rites: Poland’s new role in Europe
Warsaw is in a uniquely strong position to launch an ambitious initiative for the EU’s eastern neighbourhood. To do this, it will need to use its new image in Europe to good effect.
Closed-skies diplomacy: What the Western Balkans can do for the EU
The still-incomplete web of allies and institutions that the EU has woven in the Balkans in the last 30 years is not only strong but also valuable to its geopolitical struggle against Russia
Vision quest: How Europe should safeguard its security
To prevent catastrophic wars, European states should concentrate on stabilising the West’s accomplishments and defending them against the revisionist policies of Russia in Europe and China in Asia
Europe needs to nurture security partnerships or face growing isolation
No matter who wins the US election, the EU will need to play a bigger security role in its neighbourhood
Warsaw ‘Iran’ summit: What lies beneath
ECFR experts share their insight into the manouevres around next month’s US-Poland summit. What does it mean for the JPCOA, and what steps should European countries take in response?
The League of Leagues: Pan-European cooperation against the EU
Matteo Salvini has launched the “League of Leagues” – an alliance of nationalist parties across the continent. And he brings friends.
Mali’s impunity problem and growing security crisis
On June 13 Malian soldiers and security forces were responsible for killing more than 30 civilians throughout the country – the government and international forces have been unable to reverse the trend
Brexit, defence, and the EU’s quest for ‘strategic autonomy’
EU members may not feel they can trust the Brits on defence. But the UK’s past reliability on this front suggests they should
Events
7 Jun
Belarus after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: The challenge of dual political identity
How to effectively separate the Belarusian society from the regime when taking sanctions measures? Will the independence of Belarus survive international isolation left alone with an expansionist Russia?
24 Feb
European strategic sovereignty in the Southern neighbourhood
The EU’s lack of strategic sovereignty in the MENA region need not be permanent
21 Dec
Sovereign Europe, hostile world: In conversation with Josep Borrell, HRVP
The EU’s High Representative, Josep Borrell, and Mark Leonard discussed why strategic autonomy matters
20 Jan
BCM: What does Europe think?
ECFR´s associate researchers come together to debate the upcoming challenges the EU is facing in 2020. Come and join the debate!
28 Feb
One step closer – Georgia, EU-integration, and the settlement of the frozen conflicts?
Black Coffee Morning in cooperation with Georgia's Reforms Associates (GRASS).
15 Nov
Getting Out from In-Between
The European Council on Foreign Relations invites you to a discussion on the regional security order between Russia and the West
21 Nov
What do the Western Balkans think about the EU? And why?
Podium discussion about the accession of the Western Balkans to the EU
19 Jun
What does Ukraine think about Europe? And why?
For this edition of our lecture series 'Europe seen from the Outside', we speak with Hanna Hopko, Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Ukrainian Parliament.
7 Dec
Reformando Ucrania en tiempos de guerra y populismo
ECFR celebró un un debate sobre el futuro de las reformas en Ucrania con Gustav Gressel, investigador principal en ECFR y distintos miembros y expertos de la sociedad civil ucraniana.
12 Apr
Berlin Foreign Policy Club: EU-Türkei Beziehungen
Through the summit decision on 18 March 2016 Turkey became a totally different “strategic partner” of the EU than initially expected. Due to this now very close connection within the refugee crisis, Turkey becomes an important key player that is responsible for the stability and strategic position of the EU. The position of Turkish politics concerns Europe significantly more than it was the case before. Therefore we discussed this strategic position and the perspective of Turkey, as well as the consequences in foreign policy of the decision in Brussels within our Berlin Foreign Policy Club. Currently, Turkey is seen as a key state, acting as a gatekeeper for Europe in times of the refugee crisis. The general role of Turkey in the Arab Spring was always driven by economic interests, and this interest had dominated all other aspects of the Turkish view of the Arab Spring. This position is even more strenghtened by the new refugee deal between the EU and Turkey. Furthermore, the Kurdish issue was dicussed, as well as the deep mistrust between Turkey and Iran, based on historic narratives and religion, but also being shaped by economic rivalry now.
In the media
If we focus too much on the eastern border, we risk losing attention to the southern one
Arturo Varvelli highlights the importance for the EU to continue to focus also on the Southern Neighbourhood
If the European Union wants to live up to its ambitions in its immediate vicinity, it should invest in the enlargement process rather than create new formats for summit meetings
I think if there were a fast track [for Ukraine], then it would provoke some uproar from the western Balkan countries, who have been in the antechamber of this candidate status for a while now
Piotr Buras comments on the European Council leaders’ summit