EU migration policy will be at the forefront of the European Council summit today (17 October) as tougher measures against irregular immigration have gained momentum. But common goals do not equal common means – member states across the Union are clashing over what direction EU migration policy should take.  From 'return hubs' to asylum seekers' rights and third-country bilateral agreements, member states' divergent proposals are likely to complicate efforts in achieving the unanimous...

EU and Gulf leaders are meeting on Wednesday (16 October) in Brussels in a first-ever summit between the two regions. Co-chaired by outgoing European Council President Charles Michel and Qatar’s Emir H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the meeting follows the launch of a strategic partnership in 2022. But mutual concerns remain. The EU sees the Gulf as a key energy partner in reducing its dependence on Russian energy. Yet, the Gulf's ties with Moscow make this partnership challenging. For...

High levels of corruption and limited media freedom are among the issues at the forefront of Albania's EU accession negotiations, which begin today (15 October), 16 years after the country first applied to join the bloc. EU membership negotiations for both Albania and North Macedonia were initially scheduled for July 2022, but no negotiation chapters have been opened since then. At the end of September, however, EU member states unanimously decided to separate the bids and formally open EU...

EU foreign ministers are meeting in Luxembourg today (14 October) to discuss urgent matters, including Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and the volatile situation in the Middle East, following recent escalation in Lebanon and northern Israel. With a summit postponed last week between Western leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, there is speculation about whether Ukraine’s victory plan will be presented in today’s discussions. The Foreign Affairs Council will also...

The long-term EU budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), may soon see structural reforms.  A leaked document from this week hints at the merger of various funds, the introduction of conditionality measures, and a shift toward a more centralised approach, among other things.   In this episode, join host Giada Santana and economy and transport reporter Jonathan Packroff as they dive into MFF’s current challenges, regional stakeholders' perspectives, and what the future might...

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a tense exchange at the Strasbourg plenary on 9 October, after Orbán outlined his country's EU Council Presidency initiatives. Orbán stressed the need for stricter migration controls, questioning the EU's approach to Ukraine. Von der Leyen responded with a strong defence of Europe’s military and financial support to Kyiv. The clash highlighted deepening divisions within the EU, as Orbán called for...

Thursday’s Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting has laid bare the stark shift in EU member states' approach to migration, as right-wing politics gain ground across the bloc. While ministers are due to discuss issues related to Schengen and security, the focal point will be a working lunch where ministers will explore new migration deals with third countries and how to make the return of irregular migrants more efficient. The obvious harder line that is being taken on both asylum and...

One year into the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, European countries remain divided over their military support for Israel. Despite international efforts to broker peace, arms exports have continued to play a critical role in the conflict, with major suppliers like the US and Germany providing significant military aid. However, countries like Italy and Spain have halted arms deals, citing concerns over the humanitarian crisis and potential violations of international law. As...

As the European Union accelerates its push for net-zero emissions, it is looking to boost lithium production across various member states. This essential mineral, crucial for electric vehicle batteries, has sparked interest in mining projects not just in Serbia, but across Portugal, Spain and France. While lithium is a key component of the EU's green transition, concerns are rising over the environmental impact of increased mining activities. Experts warn of water pollution, biodiversity...

The Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament (JURI) met on  Thursday (3 October) to start the vetting of commissioners-designate to see who is fit to join the Commission's new line-up.  Although the vetting process is based on the nominees providing the necessary information, the JURI Committee has a crucial role in scrutinising financial declarations to identify potential conflicts of interest. Which are the commissioners-designate that are already raising concerns due to their...

EU foreign ministers this week discussed the possibility of incoming migrant flows to the bloc amid concerns over Israel's ground offensive in southern Lebanon, the European Commission told Euractiv. In Lebanon, more than one million people have been displaced so far, with around one in 10 having fled to Syria. To cope with the unfolding humanitarian emergency, Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Bikati has appealed for $400 million in aid.   In this episode, host Giada Santana and politics...

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is meeting with the European Commission in Brussels today, for the first time since he won a landslide victory in the UK general elections, last July. He promised to rekindle the relationship with Brussels after the Tories focused on delivering Brexit at all costs.Starmer has, however, been handed a list of leftover issues that he may need to settle on the UK's divorce from the bloc before his reset can fully take shape. In this episode of 'Today in the EU',...

Former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte will assume the role of NATO Secretary-General on Tuesday (1 October), marking the start of a new chapter for the North Atlantic Alliance as he takes over from Jens Stoltenberg. A seasoned leader with over a decade of experience, Rutte is expected to face significant challenges and manage high expectations in his new role. NATO allies, while grateful for Stoltenberg’s steady leadership during turbulent times, are eager for change and look to Rutte for...

Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPO) won the most votes in Sunday’s election, the first time it has topped the poll in post-war history, in line with forecasts. With 29.1% of the vote, the FPO is set to begin coalition talks, aiming to play a decisive role in forming the next government.  However, its victory may be complicated as the outgoing centre-right party has previously ruled out partnering with FPO leader Herbert Kickl. It remains unclear if this stance will hold.  In this episode,...

Discussions about tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) are intensifying following a recent meeting of industry ministers in Brussels on Thursday (26 September). Member states are split on supporting these tariffs, with undecided countries like Sweden and Germany potentially abstaining. China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao toured Europe earlier this month to lobby against the tariffs. Simultaneously, the European Commission and China are negotiating a "price undertaking" agreement that...

Facing pressure from Russian aggression in the east, the EU has pledged to build an independent, cross-border military under an ambitious defence strategy. Boosting defence spending is no small task – it would require €500 billion over the next decade, according to European Commission President von der Leyen. Yet, only €1.5 billion is currently allocated for 2025 to 2027. With the stakes high, the European Commission must answer uncomfortable questions: who will fund it, and how much will it...

The situation in the Middle East is rapidly deteriorating. Though not officially termed a war, the escalating conflict across Gaza, northern Israel, and southern Lebanon suggests a new regional conflict in the Middle East is rapidly taking shape. Israel's operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Beirut, which resulted in the death of one of Hezbollah's leaders, has triggered missile retaliation and caused severe civilian casualties. More than 550 people, among them dozens of...

Newly-appointed French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has revealed his government, keeping much of the pro-Macron agenda while making key concessions to the far-right Rassemblement National (RN). With a no-confidence vote looming, Barnier faces immense pressure to balance urgent budget reforms amid rising deficits and demands from conservative and far-right parties. The next few weeks are crucial for France’s political stability, as delays in presenting the 2025 budget raise concerns within...

World leaders are gathering in New York for the UN Summit of the Future, which UN Secretary-General António Guterres described as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to reshape international institutions, even though leaders of the so-called Permanent Five will be absent. With the Summit taking place just before the high-level week of the General Assembly, discussions are expected to be lively. However, given the vague language of the documents under discussion and the absence of key leaders...

More and more EU member states are moving away from the notion of a united EU front on migration, opting for individual solutions instead. Germany's recent decision to ramp up border controls at all nine of its borders has been criticised by EU countries like Poland, Austria, and Greece. With the European Commission warning that such actions should only be reserved for exceptional cases, what does this mean for the future of the EU's highly anticipated migration pact? Why are member states...

All eyes are on Teresa Ribera, after President von der Leyen tasked the Spanish politician with steering Europe's green transition while ensuring its competitiveness. Despite the prestige attached to the role, Ribera sits as one of the few socialists among predominantly conservative colleagues, with whom she might have to compromise during the next mandate. Who will she collaborate with, and what can we expect from the incoming environment and energy commissioners?  In this episode, host...

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled her proposed team of European Commissioners, highlighting significant leadership changes. Six executive vice presidents, including Finland's Henna Virkkunen and Italy's Raffaele Fitto, will oversee key policy areas. Von der Leyen emphasised gender parity, increasing female representation to 40%. But who are the new names, what are the newly created roles and what happens if the team fails to achieve parliamentary confirmation before taking...

Thierry Breton, the EU's Internal Market Commissioner, announced his resignation from the European Commission on 16 September, citing tensions with President Ursula von der Leyen. In a public letter, Breton accused von der Leyen of requesting that France replace him in a political trade-off for a more influential portfolio, and criticised her "questionable governance". Just hours later, President Emmanuel Macron nominated Stéphane Séjourné as France’s new Commissioner. But does the new French...

NATO's Military Committee met in Prague on Friday and Saturday to discuss stepping up NATO's support package for Ukraine, after Russia warned NATO that a strike with Western-made missiles would be considered an act of war. Among other security issues, Allies discussed the establishment of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) and launching the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Centre (JATEC) as part of NATO's support package to Ukraine. Despite the...

EU farmers must comply with strict production standards, and so should third-country producers if they want to export to the EU, according to the latest vote by Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).   On Thursday (12 September), ENVI members rejected the European Commission's proposal to lower the maximum residue levels for certain pesticides and fungicides in imported food. The committee turned down the draft because these agricultural chemicals are not...