Central Europe
US invests in energy and transport infrastructure in Central and Eastern Europe
Est. 4minThe US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) announced on Tuesday (16 July) its first investments into Central and Eastern European energy and transport infrastructure, as part of a wider €280 million funding commitment aimed at countering Russian and Chinese influence in the region.
Central and Eastern Europe’s climate plans lack ambition, say environmental NGOs
Est. 4minThe updated national energy and climate plans (NECPs) are due to be submitted on 30 June, and environmental NGOs are denouncing the lack of ambition on the part of Central and Eastern European countries (CEE) in their decarbonisation policies.
Germany, Poland and France: Recasting a Green Weimar Triangle
Est. 5minThe current geopolitical context is pushing the Weimar Triangle of France, Germany and Poland to prioritise defence and security. On the occasion of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 22 April, NGOs, think tanks, and businesses argue that a 'Green …
Slovakia faces increasing isolation as allies exclude it from Ukraine meeting
Est. 4minFrance organised a follow-up teleconference bringing together foreign and defence ministries to discuss the war in Ukraine. However, they 'learned their lesson' and did not invite Slovakia meeting because of its pro-Russian stance.
Visegrad Four Group lives on despite opinion split over Russia’s war on Ukraine
Est. 4minDespite tensions and increasingly diverging opinions over key issues such as Russia's war in Ukraine, the Central European Visegrad Four (V4) Group has so far managed to live on.
The Brief – Slovak elections: Shape of things to come?
Est. 6minThe victory of anti-liberal pro-Russian leader Robert Fico in the general elections in Slovakia is perceived as a shock across the EU, apart from in Hungary, where Viktor Orbán welcomed the incoming prime minister to be at his side at EU summits.
Kazakhstan rejects OSCE criticism of presidential election
Est. 2minKazakhstan has dismissed international criticism of its presidential vote, in which incumbent Kassym-Jomart Tokayev secured a landslide re-election victory.
Kazakhstan tells EU: We can supply all 30 critical raw materials you need
Est. 4minOfficials from Kazakhstan told a Brussels audience on Thursday (17 November) that the resource-rich country in the near future be able to offer all the 30 critical raw materials the Union needs, according to a list adopted in 2020.
Kazakh crude exports hit by Russian terminal repairs
Est. 4minRussian and Kazakh oil exports via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's (CPC) Black Sea terminal face at least one month's disruption each once repairs begin on two of its three single mooring points (SPMs), CPC confirmed on Tuesday (23 August).
WTO chief says ‘cautiously optimistic’ ahead of high-stakes meet
Est. 5minThe World Trade Organization chief voiced cautious optimism Sunday (12 June) as global trade ministers gather to tackle food security threatened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, overfishing and equitable access to Covid vaccines. Speaking just hours before the opening of the …
Russia’s war in Ukraine triggers U-turn in Germany’s foreign policy thinking
Est. 4minThe German government has broken with its long-standing tradition of its foreign and security policy that was rooted in ‘peace’ diplomacy and reserved defence spending and termed the Ukraine war to be a “turning point” in its policy approach.
Kazakh official: The Taliban are no threat to Central Asia
Est. 7minIt is necessary to create conditions for dialogue with the new government in Afghanistan, regardless of its political attitudes and ideologies. This is very important for both the Central Asian countries and the EU, Kazakhstan's Talgat Kaliyev told EURACTIV in an interview.
The Brief, powered by EHFG — Vucic, Orban and the Putinisation of Europe
Est. 6minThe latest news is that Central European leaders signed a joint declaration today saying immigration should not be the answer to the EU’s demographic challenges and calling on the bloc to keep family policy under national jurisdiction. In other words, they want to have it their way.
Afghanistan to feature high in Uzbekistan high-level connectivity conference
Est. 6minThe high-level meeting next week in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent to discuss connectivity is a stability dividend and a timely opportunity to convince countries that the international community is not abandoning the region following US withdrawal from Afghanistan, stakeholders told a …
Hungary’s ‘Trump before Trump’ PM Orban faces US reset
Est. 4minHungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is bracing for tougher treatment from a Joe Biden-led administration in Washington after his all-in bet on a win for President Donald Trump backfired.
Kyrgyzstan president says ready to resign once new cabinet appointed
Est. 2minKyrgyzstan’s President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said he was ready to resign once a new cabinet was appointed to end the power vacuum in the Central Asian nation gripped by unrest since opposition supporters seized government buildings on Tuesday.
Pompeo in Prague at start of central Europe visit
Est. 2minUS Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrived in Prague on Tuesday (11 August), public TV footage showed, to open a five-day visit to central Europe with a hefty agenda including China's role in 5G network construction.
Kazakhstan well poised to tackle digital learning but challenges remain
Est. 5minKazakstan's education and skills policies will be crucial for the Central Asian country's economic recovery and efforts to avoid the digital divide, experts say. Some 78% of Kazakhstan's population are internet users and the country has one of the lowest prices …
Nur-Sultan’s financial hub to be at heart of Kazakhstan’s recovery and greening
Est. 7minWith the support of authorities and growing green credentials, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is well placed to play a key role in the country's recovery and sustainable economic development, experts say.
Berlin expects US sanctions to slightly delay Nord Stream 2
Est. 3minThe US sanctions slapped on controversial Russian gas pipeline to Europe will likely delay the project's completion by several months to the second half of 2020, a top German official said Monday (23 December).
Uzbekistan holds first legislative polls under pro-reform leader
Est. 4minUzbekistan votes Sunday (22 December) in the former Soviet republic's first parliamentary elections since a new leader ushered in an era of reform after years of isolation and stagnation, yet voters' choices remain highly restricted.
US readies sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream
Est. 3minThe US House and Senate agreed on Monday (9 December) a defence bill that would force Donald Trump's administration to impose sanctions on companies involved in the Russian-sponsored gas pipelines Nord Stream 2 and Turkish Stream.
Polish reform erodes judicial autonomy: top court
Est. 2minPoland's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday (5 December) that a new judicial council charged with nominating and disciplining judges lacks independence, calling into question the government's court reforms.
Did Hungary turn to the Russian Duma for support against Ukraine?
Est. 5minHungary has a deep controversy with Hungary over minority rights. In this context, a heated controversy has unfolded over reports that Budapest asked the Duma, the lower chamber of Russia's parliament, for joint efforts to uphold minority rights in Ukraine.