EU-Mideast ties

NUSA DUA, INDONESIA - JULY 08: The Indonesian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi (R) greets the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio (L) during arrival of the G20 Foreign Ministers and Head of Department at the Grand Ballroom Mulia Hotel on July 08, 2022 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. (Photo by Robertus Pudyanto/Getty Images)

Interview

EU escorted over 200 ships in Red Sea amid Gulf maritime threats, envoy says

The Gulf states are supporting the EU's Operation Aspides to counter the Houthi threat in the Red Sea region, as both seek greater cooperation on maritime security, said Luigi di Maio.

Luigi di Maio

Luigi di Maio

EU Special Representative for the Gulf

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron embark on an aircraft at the airport of Sale, north of Rabat, on Oct. 30, 2024.

Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

The latest trip of French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat was the last straw in the already shaky relations between Paris and Algiers.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

JEROEN JUMELET/ANP/AFP via Getty Images

Dutch, French leaders denounce attacks on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam

Hundreds of rioters chased and attacked Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam for the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Ajax match.

France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (2-R) speaks to members of his delegation as he visits the Mount of Olives, overlooking Jerusalem's Old City and Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, Nov. 7, 2024.

Can France help address Israel's conditions for Lebanon cease-fire deal?

During a visit to Israel, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel met with Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Foreign Affairs Minister Israel Katz to discuss advancing an agreement with Lebanon and the security guarantees Israel is demanding.

Latest News

Turkey's Erdogan, Cyprus president hold rare chat as Fidan heads to Athens

President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives for the European Political Community summit at Puskas Arena on Nov. 7, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary.

French FM to visit Israel as Paris, Washington work on Lebanon deal

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot (C) visits the Nova festival memorial.

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Analysis

In Morocco, France's Macron dangles Western Sahara concessions to mend ties

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Morocco's King Mohammed VI

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Analysis

Saudi naval ambitions get a boost after joint Greece, France exercise

A Saudi navy ship is pictured docked at King Faisal navy base in Jeddah before the departure of a team to Port Sudan to help with the evacuation efforts of people fleeing Sudan, on April 29, 2023. - Warplanes on bombing raids drew heavy anti-aircraft fire over Khartoum as fierce fighting between Sudan's army and paramilitaries entered a third week, despite a renewed truce. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Elbit Systems

Israel's Elbit clinches $53M deal to sell mortar systems to Europe

Between 2019 and 2023, Israeli weapons constituted 2.4% of the global market, massively reshaped by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and increased imports by European countries.

Demonstrators hold a giant Palestinian flag during the 'Justice for Palestine' rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Brussels on March 17, 2024. (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT / Belga / AFP) / Belgium OUT (Photo by HATIM KAGHAT/Belga/AFP via Getty Images)

Belgium endorses Palestine's UN bid, Spain and Ireland may follow

The State of Palestine is seeking more diplomatic recognition from Western Europe as it seeks to become a full member of the United Nations.

AFP via Getty Images

Interview

EU envoy says Israel cannot condition Gaza humanitarian aid on hostage deal

EU envoy to the Middle East process Sven Koopmans said Israel cannot condition the expansion of humanitarian aid in Gaza on reaching a hostage deal with Hamas.

Sven Koopmans

Sven Koopmans

EU Special Representative for Middle East Peace Process

Palestine's President Mahmoud Abbas attends the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh on April 28, 2024.

Abbas makes full-court press in Saudi Arabia for Palestinian recognition

As momentum for negotiations with Israel over a two-state solution stalls, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is doubling down on efforts to get European leaders to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state.

Daoud Kuttab

By Daoud Kuttab

In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics

ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images

How EU-West Bank police mission hopes to advance two-state solution

Newly appointed EUPOL COPPS chief Karin Limdal is tasked with helping Palestinian law enforcement institutions reform to facilitate the implementation of the two-state solution and Palestinian statehood.

Finalization of a historic Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Ukraine and the UAE.

UAE, Ukraine conclude trade deal talks, Emirates to help post-war reconstruction

Ukraine’s bilateral trade has sharply fallen since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.

United Arab Emirates

Steinmeier Kabob

Erdogan and Germany's Steinmeier chuckle over doner kebab as ties grow

The German president’s visit, marking the centennial of diplomatic ties between Turkey and Germany, came during a challenging time for Ankara-Berlin relations, given the wide gap over the Israel-Hamas war.

(L to R) EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud during a plenary session titled "Transforming for a New Era", during the Doha Forum in Qatar's capital on March 26, 2022. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP) (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images)

What does EU visa relaxation for Saudi, Bahraini, Omani citizens mean?

Under the new rules, Bahraini, Omani and Saudi Arabian nationals will be eligible for multiple-entry visas, allowing them to visit the Schengen area (the EU’s 27 member states as well as Bulgaria and Romania) and move freely between them.

In divided Cyprus, century-old bookshop brings people together

Located in Europe's last divided city, a bookshop in Nicosia, Cyprus, has been weathering volatility since its inception in 1937.

French police officers take part in a security perimeter near the Iranian Consulate in Paris after a person was suspected of entering the building with explosives, April 19, 2024.

Breaking | Last Updated: April 19, 2024, 1:43 pm

Paris police arrest man in Iran consulate incident

The motivation of the unidentified man remains unclear.

A boy rides a donkey near one of the batteries of Israel's Iron Dome missile defense.

As it waits for Passover, Israel still bent on retaliating against Iran

Statements by Israeli tops indicate that while the country has decided to retaliate against Iran for last weekend's attack, it might not do so immediately and, in all likelihood, not before the end of Passover on April 30.

A handout photo made available by the Israeli Government Office (GPO).

In Israel, UK, Germany FMs caution against retaliation to Iran attack

On a visit to Israel, British Foreign Minister David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock are calling on the Jewish state to avoid a military operation against Iran, though statements by Israeli officials indicate that the die is cast.