Extended Analysis

The full 253-page text of the EU's most expansive bilateral agreement in Central Asia is now published. A close reading reveals an architecture built around WTO accession, the Middle Corridor, and unresolved labour standards The EPCA published...
A Commission proposal published today seeks to carve Switzerland out of a waste export ban that, if applied, would push 200,000 tonnes of border-region rubbish onto longer truck routes through the Alps, generating more carbon than...

Myanmar Sanctions Renewed as Min Aung Hlaing Takes the Presidency

The EU extends its Myanmar restrictive measures regime until April 2027, amending 33 individual listings and 9 entity entries to reflect the junta's institutional...

Seven Years In, the Article 7 Procedure Against Hungary Has Produced Nine Hearings and No Formal Determination

Parliament’s ninth hearing has added Hungary’s ICC withdrawal and 52 unimplemented European Court of Human Rights judgments to the record. The political arithmetic of...

Before the Peace Negotiations Start, Parliament Has Set Its Floor

A recently published resolution shows Parliament’s requirements on a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Its central standard, security guarantees equivalent to NATO Article...

EU Launches New Civilian Mission in Armenia to Counter Hybrid Threats and Russian-Backed Interference

The Council establishes EUPM Armenia, the EU's first CSDP civilian mission in the South Caucasus. It focuses on protecting Armenia from disinformation, foreign interference,...

Brussels Renews Moldova Sanctions against Russian Influence Network

The EU extends measures against Kremlin-linked actors in Moldova to April 2027. The updated list targets Ilan Shor, Vladimir Plahotniuc, and five others accused...

EU’s Highest Court Condemns Hungary’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Law Invoking EU Founding Values

In a landmark judgment, the Court of Justice sitting in its most solemn formation finds Hungary violated human dignity, freedom of expression, and Article...

Despite Parliament Objections, the Commission Pushes Through With New Certification Rules for Industrial Carbon Removal

The new Delegated Regulation 2026/285 establishes the first binding EU methodologies for certifying permanent carbon removals via direct air capture, biogenic capture, and biochar,...

Middle East Crisis Triggers Emergency Support for Fisheries and Aquaculture

The Strait of Hormuz closure and attacks on energy infrastructure since late February are now formally recognised as causing significant market disruption, triggering EMFAF...

Commission Sets Guidelines on Energy Efficiency Investments

While ultimately non-binding, the new Recommendation by the commission tells planners and regulators what they should take into account before approving major energy investments April...

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