To tackle the political and economic challenges posed by shrinking populations, Balkan governments need to approach immigration as an opportunity, rethinking their policies and political messaging
With Russia’s war on Ukraine raging on its eastern border, EU enlargement in the Western Balkans has a new geopolitical urgency. The EU must commit to supporting their accession – and a fixed date like 2030 alongside a staged approach will add credibility to this commitment
After a year of interim governments, Bulgaria’s new administration has halted Bulgaria’s march to illiberalism and provided some hope for the region
As Europe’s leaders meet in Moldova, the potential of the European Political Community to contribute to security and foster connection across the continent is becoming ever clearer
Newly released investigations have shed light on how corruption and the weak rule of law in Bulgaria enable Russian influence to thrive
It has taken three general elections for change to come in Bulgaria – but this week’s parliamentary vote gives cause to hope for genuine action on corruption
The EU currently lacks tools to make a real difference to stability in the Western Balkans. But it can create these tools if it musters the political will.
Public attitudes in Ukraine and Serbia raise pressing questions about EU enlargement. If member states are to sustain this process, they will need to base it on a shared sense of belonging
In an environment in which European and American interests are not always the same, it is short-sighted and dangerous for Bulgarian leaders to question their country’s geopolitical alignment
Joe Biden has a longstanding relationship with the Western Balkans. A re-energised US policy on the region could be transformative, especially when working in tandem with the EU
The solution to the dispute between Kosovo and Serbia should be to create a societal consensus on both sides of the border
Europe must improve its early warning systems, supply chain resilience, medical R&D, and cyber security and technology, to act decisively in future emergencies
A new survey shows that, after the onset of the covid-19 crisis, there has been a rise in public support for unified EU action to tackle global threats
Europe shouldn’t be afraid of Russian and Chinese efforts to integrate the Eurasian landmass, but should absorb them into its international order
EU’s weakness is prompting a new scramble for power for the Balkans with Russia, Turkey and other actors
The sixth ECFR Foreign Policy Scorecard highlights the EU’s diminishing ability to influence its neighbours, and the neighbourhood’s growing impact on the EU
The EU is ill-equipped to respond to foreign policy crises
To tackle the political and economic challenges posed by shrinking populations, Balkan governments need to approach immigration as an opportunity, rethinking their policies and political messaging
With Russia’s war on Ukraine raging on its eastern border, EU enlargement in the Western Balkans has a new geopolitical urgency. The EU must commit to supporting their accession – and a fixed date like 2030 alongside a staged approach will add credibility to this commitment
After a year of interim governments, Bulgaria’s new administration has halted Bulgaria’s march to illiberalism and provided some hope for the region
As Europe’s leaders meet in Moldova, the potential of the European Political Community to contribute to security and foster connection across the continent is becoming ever clearer
Newly released investigations have shed light on how corruption and the weak rule of law in Bulgaria enable Russian influence to thrive
It has taken three general elections for change to come in Bulgaria – but this week’s parliamentary vote gives cause to hope for genuine action on corruption
The EU currently lacks tools to make a real difference to stability in the Western Balkans. But it can create these tools if it musters the political will.
Public attitudes in Ukraine and Serbia raise pressing questions about EU enlargement. If member states are to sustain this process, they will need to base it on a shared sense of belonging
In an environment in which European and American interests are not always the same, it is short-sighted and dangerous for Bulgarian leaders to question their country’s geopolitical alignment
Joe Biden has a longstanding relationship with the Western Balkans. A re-energised US policy on the region could be transformative, especially when working in tandem with the EU
Mark Leonard welcomes the heads of ECFR’s national offices to discuss key players outside the traditional halls of European power
What will be the impact of the EU and US measures against Belarus? And what should be next steps also ahead of the EU-US summit on 15 June?
How much influence does China already have in the Western Balkans and how should European policymakers react?
What kind of implications do the developments in Belarus have for the wider neighbourhood and Europe?
How will and can Europeans react in the event of a post-election chaos in the US? The election day is fast approaching yet the outcome still…
After last week’s discussion with Matt Duss and Jeremy Shapiro, Mark Leonard follows up by gathering the European views on a possible Biden win and…
Host Mark Leonard has an intimate discussion with our heads of offices from Sofia and Warsaw, Vessela Tcherneva and Piotr Buras about their experiences, hopes…
North Macedonia and Albania wanted to start negotiations with the EU after having been candidate countries since 2005 and 2014. But the enlargement plans seemed…
Mark Leonard speaks with Vessela Tcherneva and Robert Cooper about the contested result and how it might be solved. Bookshelf: Carnegie report on…
Mark Leonard speaks with Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, Almut Möller and Vessela Tcherneva, about what has changed in French foreign policy with Macron one year in…
Russia’s war against Ukraine has prompted European policymakers to rethink their approach to enlargement. What form does this new approach take, what are the opportunities for EU and candidate countries, and what is the European Political Community’s role?
Nell’attuale contesto internazionale, le relazioni dell’Europa con le potenze globali stanno cambiando rapidamente, e la loro evoluzione rappresenta un elemento di analisi ineludibile nel delineare la strategia di politica estera dell’UE
We will discuss Germany’s role in Europe and will reflect on how the new European order is viewed in Berlin
After more than eleven years of the EU facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, this process could be described as “one step forward, two steps back”. The seriousness of challenges that constantly emerge in relations between Kosovo and Serbia shows that despite the goodwill and dedication of the Western stakeholders, domestic democratic capacities, nationalistic politics, geopolitics, and third players hinder the possibility of reaching a comprehensive solution.
What can the EU and NATO do to reduce the risk of escalation in the region?
This event will be in Bulgarian but simultaneous translation into English will be provided
The European Council on Foreign Relations is delighted to invite you to a discussion on the role of the NATO in a world of revived geopolitical competition with a focus on the potential of the transatlantic alliance
Bulgaria could make a significant step towards the Eurozone and the land-based Schengen, but it might not. Insinuating half-baked affirmations doesn’t work for the country’s image
Vessela Tcherneva on the land borders Schengen and the European Parliament elections
Regarding the “Schengen target”, it is better to have a stable regular government. It is important to have institutions that prove that they are working according to the laws of the country and the EU
Vessela Tcherneva commenting on Bulgaria’s full accession to Schengen
European citizens want an Union that focuses on security and European defence
Vessela Tcherneva commenting on the latest ECFR poll on European attitudes towards the upcoming European elections.
It seems difficult for the government in Berlin to explain to the Bundestag that Bulgaria does not pose a threat to the eurozone’s fiscal rules
Vessela Tcherneva reflects the Bulgarian perspective on the role of Germany and France in Europe
Many people at the Munich Security Conference believe that it is no coincidence that Navalny’s death happened a month before the presidential elections in Russia
Vessela Tcherneva with a commentary on Navalny’s assassination and the atmosphere at the Munich Security Conference