Once a week, NEU offers a selection of relevant news on issues related to EU External Relations.

Breaking the Ice: The Arctic Joint Communication Released
By NEU – Newsletter for the European Union

On 27 April, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, officially delivered a speech called “An integrated European Union policy for the Arctic”. This is about to open new political streams, where EU has to play a prominent role, given the growing geo-strategical relevance of the area.  Read more here.

Europol’s Reform Afoot while New Terrorist Threat Stopped in Italy
By NEU – Newsletter for the European Union

An antiterrorist operation has been carried out by the Italian police in Bari on Tuesday. Terrorists were planning attacks in Italy and Britain. Thanks to new governance rules, Europol will soon be able to step up efforts to fight terrorism, cybercrime and other threats.  Read more here.

Turkey’s relations with Europe are in flux following Ahmet Davutoğlu’s resignation
By  Didem Buhari-Gulmez on EUROPP

Turkey’s Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, announced his resignation on 5 May. Didem Buhari-Gulmez writes that the resignation reflected a wider split within Turkey over the need for security-oriented policies, the validity of the deal between Turkey and the EU over refugees, and the aim of Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to move the country toward a presidential political system. Read more here.

A fragmented foreign policy leads to a weakened European Union
By Jacek Saryusz-Wolski on DELFI

The Lisbon Treaty was designed to fundamentally alter the Common Foreign and Security Policy. At last, the EU was supposed to have the answer to Kissinger’s famous question: who do you call if you wish to speak with Europe? Solidarity, enhanced cooperation and streamlined decision-making were the future. At the end of the line, a stronger European Union with a new global standing awaited. Read more here.