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EU greenlights North Macedonia and Albania membership talks: Breakthrough or symbolic gesture?

Wed, Jan 15, 2020

Spain’s new government a welcome sign, but Madrid must navigate several fault lines

After two general elections in nine months, Spain finally has a government. But the new coalition is a fragile one that will have to deploy creative solutions to address fragmentation along three dimensions: political, territorial, and social. It will be challenging, but it may work.

New Atlanticist by Antonio de Lecea

Elections Politics & Diplomacy
EU greenlights North Macedonia and Albania membership talks: Breakthrough or symbolic gesture?

Tue, Jan 7, 2020

With crisis over, Greek PM says Athens is ready “to punch above our weight”

With its new robust regional and international role, Mitsotakis argued that Greece is a “very reliable and dependable partner” for the United States at a time of incredible global instability. With the dark days of economic crisis behind them, it is now time for Athens and Washington, he said “to set a new, more ambitious target in terms of what we can achieve.”

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

Greece Macroeconomics
EU greenlights North Macedonia and Albania membership talks: Breakthrough or symbolic gesture?

Tue, Dec 10, 2019

Albania’s former foreign minister: EU made “strategic mistake” in delaying accession negotiations

The failure of European Union leaders to greenlight the start of the enlargement process for Albania and North Macedonia in October was “a step backwards” for the region’s path towards European integration, according to former Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati.

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

European Union The Balkans

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Thu, Mar 26, 2020

EU greenlights North Macedonia and Albania membership talks: Breakthrough or symbolic gesture?

"The decision by the EU foreign ministers to open accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania comes at a time when Europe is battling a major public health crisis and is bracing for its economic aftershocks," Dimitar Bechev says. "Keeping enlargement alive speaks volumes about the union’s ability to muddle through."

New Atlanticist by Jörn Fleck

Democratic Transitions European Union

Mon, Mar 23, 2020

Last time in the waiting room for North Macedonia?

While there may still be a day or two before written EU conclusions seal the political deal, the government of North Macedonia looks forward to the end of this waiting period and the beginning of the rest of its story. With so much gloom in the world right now, it would be an extremely welcome two weeks in Skopje.

New Atlanticist by Teri Schultz

European Union The Balkans

Thu, Mar 19, 2020

Ambassadors call for global cooperation to meet coronavirus challenge

While societies around the world struggle to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), political leaders must continue to collaborate on solutions to mitigate the public health and economic effects of the virus.

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

Coronavirus East Asia

Thu, Mar 19, 2020

Atlantic Council press call: Unity among allies in the fight against the coronavirus

As the global community ramps up efforts to counter the rapid spread of the coronavirus, the United States and its allies and partners are taking extraordinary steps to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. As these measures are put into effect, widescale quarantines are disrupting life for millions, the economy is facing its greatest challenge in over a decade, and longstanding geopolitical relationships are in the spotlight. How can the United States and its closest allies work together most effectively to combat this growing crisis? What lessons can we learn from countries at the leading edge of this fight in order to reduce the toll among our citizens and those of our closest friends? Ambassador Armando Varricchio, Ambassador Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, Ambassador Stavros Lambrinidis, and Barry Pavel unpack these questions and discuss the latest on the ground in Europe and Singapore.

Press and Members Call

Europe & Eurasia European Union

Wed, Feb 19, 2020

TurkStream is South Stream 2.0—has the EU done its homework this time?

Flying largely under the radar, progress on the TurkStream pipeline has been met with little attention. This is quite unjust, as the project is a key piece of Gazprom’s future supply strategy.

EnergySource by Martin Jirušek

Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security

Wed, Feb 19, 2020

Challenges and opportunities for Croatia’s new president

Croatia’s new president Zoran Milanovic entered office on February 18 with a legacy to build upon and several challenges to overcome. Over the last fifteen years, Croatia has made remarkable progress as a democratic state, joining NATO in 2009 and the European Union (EU) in 2013. Even so, the uncertain future of European integration, uneven economic development, and malign foreign influence present challenges for Croatia and the Balkans region. The United States, other EU members, and NATO allies have a role to play in supporting Croatia’s efforts to tackle these challenges.

New Atlanticist by Claudia Vaughn Zittle

Economy & Business Elections

Tue, Feb 18, 2020

Spain’s position on Venezuela jeopardizes unified fight for democracy

Support shown to the Maduro regime on ideological grounds serves to fuel further polarization, not only in Venezuela, but around the world. Whatever the nature of the relationship between the Maduro regime and Podemos, or ideological commonalities between the two, lending diplomatic support for Maduro is commending a dictatorship.

New Atlanticist by Cristina Guevara

Democratic Transitions Southern & Southeastern Europe

Mon, Feb 17, 2020

Ellinas in Cyprus Mail: We’re stubbornly ignoring the reality of our gas find

In the News by Atlantic Council

Oil and Gas Southern & Southeastern Europe

Sat, Feb 15, 2020

US commits $1 billion dollars to develop Central European infrastructure

“Secretary Pompeo's announcement of $1 billion for the Three Seas Initiative is a powerful demonstration of America’s continued commitment to Europe,” stated General James L. Jones Jr. (USMC-ret.), executive chairman emeritus of the Atlantic Council, who attended the Munich Security Conference. “It reflects America’s recognition of the strategic significance of Central Europe as well Washington’s high confidence in the economic vitality and economic prospects of the Three Seas region.”

Press Release by Atlantic Council

Central Europe Economy & Business

Mon, Feb 10, 2020

Will the Commission’s new EU proposal revive Western Balkans enlargement?

“For a region whose politics, both domestic and foreign, have been shaped by the promise of EU membership in almost every way since the 1990s, the coming months and years will prove trying," Damir Marusic says.

New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer

Democratic Transitions European Union
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