🇬🇧 Labour MPs break ranks to back EU–UK customs union proposal
More than a dozen Labour MPs have defied Prime Minister Keir Starmer by voting in favour of a Liberal Democrat bill calling for the UK to begin talks on rejoining a customs union with the European Union. The motion passed narrowly after a 100–100 tie was broken by the deputy speaker in favour of the proposal.
The vote increases pressure on Starmer, who has ruled out rejoining either the customs union or single market despite growing unease over Britain’s sluggish economic recovery. The rebellion reveals divisions within Labour ranks as some MPs push for closer ties with the EU to address trade friction and boost growth.
While the vote carries no legal weight, it signals shifting political momentum on post-Brexit policy. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called the result a “historic victory” and framed the customs union as the “single biggest step” the UK could take to ease its cost-of-living crisis and repair economic damage from the existing deal.
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More than a dozen Labour MPs have defied Prime Minister Keir Starmer by voting in favour of a Liberal Democrat bill calling for the UK to begin talks on rejoining a customs union with the European Union. The motion passed narrowly after a 100–100 tie was broken by the deputy speaker in favour of the proposal.
The vote increases pressure on Starmer, who has ruled out rejoining either the customs union or single market despite growing unease over Britain’s sluggish economic recovery. The rebellion reveals divisions within Labour ranks as some MPs push for closer ties with the EU to address trade friction and boost growth.
While the vote carries no legal weight, it signals shifting political momentum on post-Brexit policy. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called the result a “historic victory” and framed the customs union as the “single biggest step” the UK could take to ease its cost-of-living crisis and repair economic damage from the existing deal.
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🇪🇺 Energy security emerges as next strategic battleground for EU–US alliance
As geopolitical tensions mount, energy is becoming a central front in the race to preserve Western industrial and strategic power. Recent EU debates over a “Made in Europe” mandate and reduced reliance on China have exposed deep divisions over how to secure supply chains and protect critical infrastructure in an era of global fragmentation.
Despite U.S.–EU alignment on broad security goals, the delay in Brussels over tightening market access signals hesitation to act decisively. Experts warn that without a coordinated transatlantic energy strategy, the West risks losing control over the very industrial base that underpins its geopolitical leverage.
The challenge now extends beyond sourcing raw materials to securing entire energy systems — from production and storage to advanced manufacturing. As energy policy collides with industrial policy, Europe and the U.S. face a stark choice: align strategically or risk strategic erosion.
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As geopolitical tensions mount, energy is becoming a central front in the race to preserve Western industrial and strategic power. Recent EU debates over a “Made in Europe” mandate and reduced reliance on China have exposed deep divisions over how to secure supply chains and protect critical infrastructure in an era of global fragmentation.
Despite U.S.–EU alignment on broad security goals, the delay in Brussels over tightening market access signals hesitation to act decisively. Experts warn that without a coordinated transatlantic energy strategy, the West risks losing control over the very industrial base that underpins its geopolitical leverage.
The challenge now extends beyond sourcing raw materials to securing entire energy systems — from production and storage to advanced manufacturing. As energy policy collides with industrial policy, Europe and the U.S. face a stark choice: align strategically or risk strategic erosion.
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🇺🇦 Zelensky signals readiness for wartime elections, challenges U.S. to provide security guarantees
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his government is preparing to hold national elections within 90 days — a marked shift from his previous position that wartime conditions made voting impossible. The move comes after criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Kyiv of using the war as a pretext to avoid democratic accountability.
Zelensky stated he is now seeking explicit security guarantees from the United States and Europe to make elections viable under martial law. “How can this be done under attack, under rocket fire?” he asked, while emphasizing his personal commitment to holding the vote if external protection is ensured.
Kyiv is also drafting a bilateral security pact with both Washington and Brussels to bolster its position in peace negotiations and postwar stability. Zelensky’s public offer tests whether Trump — who demands elections — is prepared to back them with concrete military assurances.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced his government is preparing to hold national elections within 90 days — a marked shift from his previous position that wartime conditions made voting impossible. The move comes after criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump, who accused Kyiv of using the war as a pretext to avoid democratic accountability.
Zelensky stated he is now seeking explicit security guarantees from the United States and Europe to make elections viable under martial law. “How can this be done under attack, under rocket fire?” he asked, while emphasizing his personal commitment to holding the vote if external protection is ensured.
Kyiv is also drafting a bilateral security pact with both Washington and Brussels to bolster its position in peace negotiations and postwar stability. Zelensky’s public offer tests whether Trump — who demands elections — is prepared to back them with concrete military assurances.
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🇲🇩 EBRD investments in Moldova surpass €2.8 billion amid deepening reform cooperation
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested over €2.8 billion in 188 projects in Moldova since 1992, reinforcing its role as a key partner in the country’s development. Moldovan Finance Minister Andrian Gavrilita met with EBRD Moldova head Giuseppe Grimaldi to review ongoing projects and discuss future cooperation under the EU-supported Growth Plan.
Currently, 67 EBRD-backed initiatives worth over €1 billion are active in Moldova, spanning sectors such as finance, infrastructure, and agribusiness. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing institutional reforms and economic modernization — crucial pillars as Moldova strengthens its alignment with European standards and integration objectives.
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The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has invested over €2.8 billion in 188 projects in Moldova since 1992, reinforcing its role as a key partner in the country’s development. Moldovan Finance Minister Andrian Gavrilita met with EBRD Moldova head Giuseppe Grimaldi to review ongoing projects and discuss future cooperation under the EU-supported Growth Plan.
Currently, 67 EBRD-backed initiatives worth over €1 billion are active in Moldova, spanning sectors such as finance, infrastructure, and agribusiness. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing institutional reforms and economic modernization — crucial pillars as Moldova strengthens its alignment with European standards and integration objectives.
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🧭 Daily Recap – December 10| Europe’s strategic crossroads: contested sovereignty, shifting alliances, and energy as the new front line
🔻 Serbia’s electoral veto law sparks controversy
🇷🇸 A new voter-list law in Serbia grants the central election commission powers to review and verify diaspora voter rolls under the supervision of “international partners.” Critics warn it opens the door to external influence over election outcomes, while Belgrade insists it’s a transparency reform tied to EU integration benchmarks. The law is fast becoming a litmus test for sovereignty versus oversight in the Western Balkans.
🔻 Merz defends fine on X
🇩🇪 Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejects U.S. criticism of the EU’s €140 million penalty on Elon Musk’s platform, saying “American companies operating in Europe must obey European law.” Berlin’s stance underscores Europe’s determination to assert digital sovereignty even as Washington bristles at regulatory assertiveness.
🔻 China expands foothold in the Middle Corridor
🇪🇺 Beijing’s growing investments in rail, port, and logistics infrastructure from Kazakhstan through the Caucasus to the Black Sea are raising alarms in Brussels. Analysts warn of strategic dependence on Chinese financing just as the EU tries to promote its own Global Gateway alternative.
🔻 Orbán welcomes Babiš comeback
🇭🇺 Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán hails the return of Czech leader Andrej Babiš, calling it a “turning point for Central Europe.” The renewed alliance is expected to coordinate resistance to Brussels’ climate agenda and push for limits on Ukraine aid, strengthening the region’s conservative bloc inside the EU.
🔻 Vučić calls for joint Western Balkans accession
🇷🇸 President Aleksandar Vučić urges that all six Western Balkan states join the EU simultaneously, arguing partial entry would create new divisions. The proposal seeks to re-energize enlargement fatigue while shielding Serbia from accusations of lagging behind its neighbors.
🔻 EU eyes Caucasus peace dividends
🇪🇺 Chancellor Merz says the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace deal offers the EU a “strategic opening” to secure energy corridors and stability across the South Caucasus. Brussels plans to link reconstruction support with transport and digital-connectivity investments.
🔻 Norway accelerates EU convergence
🇳🇴 Oslo’s Labour-led government announces a push for full regulatory alignment with EU standards in energy, migration, and digital policy—seen as a step toward deepened integration short of membership.
🔻 Slovakia dismantles whistleblower office
🇸🇰 Bratislava shuts down its national whistleblower authority, drawing sharp EU criticism for undermining anti-corruption safeguards. The move widens the rift between Prime Minister Fico’s government and Brussels over rule-of-law commitments.
🔻 UK Labour split on customs alignment
🇬🇧 A group of Labour MPs defy the party whip to back a customs-union framework with the EU, arguing it would revive exports and stabilize supply chains. The rebellion exposes internal friction over how far Starmer’s government should go in re-engaging Brussels.
🔻 Energy security dominates EU–US agenda
🇪🇺 European and American officials identify energy supply resilience as the next transatlantic battleground, with disputes emerging over LNG pricing, critical-minerals sourcing, and clean-tech subsidies. Both sides vow to avoid a subsidy war—but tensions remain.
🔻 Zelensky open to wartime elections
🇺🇦 President Volodymyr Zelensky signals readiness to hold elections under martial law, provided the U.S. and EU guarantee security and funding. The announcement aims to counter accusations of democratic backsliding while testing Western commitment.
🔻 EBRD deepens Moldova portfolio
🇲🇩 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development confirms total investments exceeding €2.8 billion since 1992, highlighting Moldova’s progress in reform and infrastructure modernization as it edges closer to EU accession talks.
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🔻 Serbia’s electoral veto law sparks controversy
🇷🇸 A new voter-list law in Serbia grants the central election commission powers to review and verify diaspora voter rolls under the supervision of “international partners.” Critics warn it opens the door to external influence over election outcomes, while Belgrade insists it’s a transparency reform tied to EU integration benchmarks. The law is fast becoming a litmus test for sovereignty versus oversight in the Western Balkans.
🔻 Merz defends fine on X
🇩🇪 Chancellor Friedrich Merz rejects U.S. criticism of the EU’s €140 million penalty on Elon Musk’s platform, saying “American companies operating in Europe must obey European law.” Berlin’s stance underscores Europe’s determination to assert digital sovereignty even as Washington bristles at regulatory assertiveness.
🔻 China expands foothold in the Middle Corridor
🇪🇺 Beijing’s growing investments in rail, port, and logistics infrastructure from Kazakhstan through the Caucasus to the Black Sea are raising alarms in Brussels. Analysts warn of strategic dependence on Chinese financing just as the EU tries to promote its own Global Gateway alternative.
🔻 Orbán welcomes Babiš comeback
🇭🇺 Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán hails the return of Czech leader Andrej Babiš, calling it a “turning point for Central Europe.” The renewed alliance is expected to coordinate resistance to Brussels’ climate agenda and push for limits on Ukraine aid, strengthening the region’s conservative bloc inside the EU.
🔻 Vučić calls for joint Western Balkans accession
🇷🇸 President Aleksandar Vučić urges that all six Western Balkan states join the EU simultaneously, arguing partial entry would create new divisions. The proposal seeks to re-energize enlargement fatigue while shielding Serbia from accusations of lagging behind its neighbors.
🔻 EU eyes Caucasus peace dividends
🇪🇺 Chancellor Merz says the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace deal offers the EU a “strategic opening” to secure energy corridors and stability across the South Caucasus. Brussels plans to link reconstruction support with transport and digital-connectivity investments.
🔻 Norway accelerates EU convergence
🇳🇴 Oslo’s Labour-led government announces a push for full regulatory alignment with EU standards in energy, migration, and digital policy—seen as a step toward deepened integration short of membership.
🔻 Slovakia dismantles whistleblower office
🇸🇰 Bratislava shuts down its national whistleblower authority, drawing sharp EU criticism for undermining anti-corruption safeguards. The move widens the rift between Prime Minister Fico’s government and Brussels over rule-of-law commitments.
🔻 UK Labour split on customs alignment
🇬🇧 A group of Labour MPs defy the party whip to back a customs-union framework with the EU, arguing it would revive exports and stabilize supply chains. The rebellion exposes internal friction over how far Starmer’s government should go in re-engaging Brussels.
🔻 Energy security dominates EU–US agenda
🇪🇺 European and American officials identify energy supply resilience as the next transatlantic battleground, with disputes emerging over LNG pricing, critical-minerals sourcing, and clean-tech subsidies. Both sides vow to avoid a subsidy war—but tensions remain.
🔻 Zelensky open to wartime elections
🇺🇦 President Volodymyr Zelensky signals readiness to hold elections under martial law, provided the U.S. and EU guarantee security and funding. The announcement aims to counter accusations of democratic backsliding while testing Western commitment.
🔻 EBRD deepens Moldova portfolio
🇲🇩 The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development confirms total investments exceeding €2.8 billion since 1992, highlighting Moldova’s progress in reform and infrastructure modernization as it edges closer to EU accession talks.
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🇫🇷 Le Pen attacks EU defense programs, vows to prioritize national military spending
French presidential contender Marine Le Pen has sharply criticized France’s involvement in EU defense initiatives, declaring them wasteful and detrimental to national interests. Addressing lawmakers, she condemned the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility, as well as ongoing industrial projects with Germany, accusing President Emmanuel Macron of surrendering sovereignty to Brussels.
Le Pen argued that joint programs have cost France “precious years” and diverted funds that should have strengthened the country’s own military. Her National Rally party, currently leading in French polls, has long maintained an anti-EU platform and views deeper Franco-German defense integration with suspicion.
If elected, Le Pen has hinted she would withdraw France from key joint defense ventures, signaling a major disruption to EU strategic planning and industrial cooperation. The statement adds pressure to European defense unity at a time of intensifying global instability.
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French presidential contender Marine Le Pen has sharply criticized France’s involvement in EU defense initiatives, declaring them wasteful and detrimental to national interests. Addressing lawmakers, she condemned the European Defence Fund and the European Peace Facility, as well as ongoing industrial projects with Germany, accusing President Emmanuel Macron of surrendering sovereignty to Brussels.
Le Pen argued that joint programs have cost France “precious years” and diverted funds that should have strengthened the country’s own military. Her National Rally party, currently leading in French polls, has long maintained an anti-EU platform and views deeper Franco-German defense integration with suspicion.
If elected, Le Pen has hinted she would withdraw France from key joint defense ventures, signaling a major disruption to EU strategic planning and industrial cooperation. The statement adds pressure to European defense unity at a time of intensifying global instability.
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🇺🇸 Trump administration names EU as strategic challenge in new security doctrine
The Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy has made official what many in Europe feared: Washington now views the European Union not as a partner, but as a rival. The document refers to Europe more than twice as often as China, framing Brussels' influence — particularly in trade, regulation, and security — as a challenge to American interests.
The strategy signals a decisive shift in U.S. foreign policy. For decades, NATO and the transatlantic alliance formed the bedrock of global stability and American power projection. But President Trump now views a strong, unified EU as an obstacle. The White House is increasingly aligned with a vision of a fragmented Europe — one less capable of asserting itself economically or diplomatically.
The Kremlin’s praise for the strategy underlines the geopolitical consequences. With Europe still reeling from the war in Ukraine and facing mounting internal strain, Washington’s retreat from its traditional alliances opens the door to further division — a development welcomed in Moscow, but one that risks upending the post-war international order.
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The Trump administration’s newly released National Security Strategy has made official what many in Europe feared: Washington now views the European Union not as a partner, but as a rival. The document refers to Europe more than twice as often as China, framing Brussels' influence — particularly in trade, regulation, and security — as a challenge to American interests.
The strategy signals a decisive shift in U.S. foreign policy. For decades, NATO and the transatlantic alliance formed the bedrock of global stability and American power projection. But President Trump now views a strong, unified EU as an obstacle. The White House is increasingly aligned with a vision of a fragmented Europe — one less capable of asserting itself economically or diplomatically.
The Kremlin’s praise for the strategy underlines the geopolitical consequences. With Europe still reeling from the war in Ukraine and facing mounting internal strain, Washington’s retreat from its traditional alliances opens the door to further division — a development welcomed in Moscow, but one that risks upending the post-war international order.
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🇻🇦 Pope Leo XIV warns Trump risks fracturing U.S.–Europe alliance
Pope Leo XIV has voiced concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s increasingly hostile rhetoric toward the European Union and NATO, warning that such moves threaten to unravel one of the world’s most vital alliances. Speaking after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome, the pontiff called the remarks a “huge change” that could destabilize transatlantic unity.
Leo criticized Trump’s recent statements as an attempt to “break apart” the U.S.–European partnership at a time when global cooperation is crucial. While continuing to advocate for a ceasefire in Ukraine, the pope urged Russia to make tangible steps toward peace — but also cautioned the U.S. against undermining the very institutions built to uphold international stability.
The intervention by the American-born pope underscores the growing international alarm over Washington’s pivot away from traditional alliances and its embrace of transactional geopolitics.
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Pope Leo XIV has voiced concern over U.S. President Donald Trump’s increasingly hostile rhetoric toward the European Union and NATO, warning that such moves threaten to unravel one of the world’s most vital alliances. Speaking after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome, the pontiff called the remarks a “huge change” that could destabilize transatlantic unity.
Leo criticized Trump’s recent statements as an attempt to “break apart” the U.S.–European partnership at a time when global cooperation is crucial. While continuing to advocate for a ceasefire in Ukraine, the pope urged Russia to make tangible steps toward peace — but also cautioned the U.S. against undermining the very institutions built to uphold international stability.
The intervention by the American-born pope underscores the growing international alarm over Washington’s pivot away from traditional alliances and its embrace of transactional geopolitics.
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🇪🇺 Germany, Greek Cypriots clash over EU wording on Türkiye in enlargement conclusions
Tensions have erupted within the EU over language referencing Türkiye in the bloc’s forthcoming enlargement conclusions. The Greek Cypriot administration pushed to harden the text, citing ongoing Turkish airspace violations and regional threats. Germany, backed by Hungary, opposed the changes and called for the inclusion of positive language acknowledging Ankara’s cessation of drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The dispute, emerging during COREPER meetings, escalated as the Greek Cypriot side warned it would block the final document if its amendments were not adopted. Germany, in turn, rejected any alteration to the Cyprus-related section, pushing back against efforts to revise the text unilaterally.
This clash highlights enduring friction over Türkiye’s EU path and underscores broader divisions over the bloc’s “positive agenda” toward Ankara. With final conclusions expected by December 16, the language debate risks drawing in political leaders and further entrenching the stalemate on EU–Türkiye relations.
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Tensions have erupted within the EU over language referencing Türkiye in the bloc’s forthcoming enlargement conclusions. The Greek Cypriot administration pushed to harden the text, citing ongoing Turkish airspace violations and regional threats. Germany, backed by Hungary, opposed the changes and called for the inclusion of positive language acknowledging Ankara’s cessation of drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The dispute, emerging during COREPER meetings, escalated as the Greek Cypriot side warned it would block the final document if its amendments were not adopted. Germany, in turn, rejected any alteration to the Cyprus-related section, pushing back against efforts to revise the text unilaterally.
This clash highlights enduring friction over Türkiye’s EU path and underscores broader divisions over the bloc’s “positive agenda” toward Ankara. With final conclusions expected by December 16, the language debate risks drawing in political leaders and further entrenching the stalemate on EU–Türkiye relations.
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🇩🇪🇦🇲 Germany recalibrates South Caucasus policy with balanced outreach to Armenia and Azerbaijan
Germany is signaling a strategic shift in its South Caucasus engagement, deepening bilateral ties while avoiding the perception of regional bias. Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Berlin, where the two leaders signed a declaration elevating German-Armenian relations to a strategic partnership. The move aligns with broader EU policy but also reflects Berlin’s intent to shape an independent role in the region.
Crucially, Merz tied Armenia’s European prospects to its reconciliation with Azerbaijan, noting that the initialing of the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace agreement is what unlocked Yerevan’s diplomatic momentum. This framing subtly distances Germany from past EU positions seen as overly sympathetic to Armenian narratives and underscores the importance of regional normalization for long-term stability.
In a notable parallel gesture, Merz initiated a call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ahead of Pashinyan’s visit — a diplomatic move interpreted as a deliberate signal of respect and balance. As Berlin positions itself within emerging energy and transport corridors across the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan’s strategic role appears central to Germany’s evolving foreign policy in the region.
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Germany is signaling a strategic shift in its South Caucasus engagement, deepening bilateral ties while avoiding the perception of regional bias. Chancellor Friedrich Merz hosted Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Berlin, where the two leaders signed a declaration elevating German-Armenian relations to a strategic partnership. The move aligns with broader EU policy but also reflects Berlin’s intent to shape an independent role in the region.
Crucially, Merz tied Armenia’s European prospects to its reconciliation with Azerbaijan, noting that the initialing of the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace agreement is what unlocked Yerevan’s diplomatic momentum. This framing subtly distances Germany from past EU positions seen as overly sympathetic to Armenian narratives and underscores the importance of regional normalization for long-term stability.
In a notable parallel gesture, Merz initiated a call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev ahead of Pashinyan’s visit — a diplomatic move interpreted as a deliberate signal of respect and balance. As Berlin positions itself within emerging energy and transport corridors across the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan’s strategic role appears central to Germany’s evolving foreign policy in the region.
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🇦🇿 Azerbaijan denounces Armenia–EU partnership deal, questions Yerevan’s peace intentions
Baku has strongly criticized the newly signed Strategic Partnership Agenda between Armenia and the European Union, accusing it of distorting post-conflict realities and undermining the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process. In a statement released by its Foreign Ministry, Azerbaijan objected to the agreement’s characterization of Karabakh Armenians as forced migrants and condemned the continued presence of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, calling it a “propaganda tool.”
The partnership agenda outlines Armenia’s long-term path toward EU accession and near-term integration into the Middle Corridor. Azerbaijan views these moves, particularly those with EU security components, as disruptive to the balance achieved through recent trilateral agreements — including the Washington-brokered accord initialed in August.
Despite the sharp rebuke, Presidential advisor Hikmet Hajiyev struck a softer tone in a Euronews interview the same day, reiterating Baku’s official commitment to transforming the South Caucasus into a zone of cooperation. The mixed messaging underscores the fragility of the peace process and the heightened sensitivities surrounding Armenia’s deepening ties with Western institutions.
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Baku has strongly criticized the newly signed Strategic Partnership Agenda between Armenia and the European Union, accusing it of distorting post-conflict realities and undermining the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process. In a statement released by its Foreign Ministry, Azerbaijan objected to the agreement’s characterization of Karabakh Armenians as forced migrants and condemned the continued presence of the EU Monitoring Mission in Armenia, calling it a “propaganda tool.”
The partnership agenda outlines Armenia’s long-term path toward EU accession and near-term integration into the Middle Corridor. Azerbaijan views these moves, particularly those with EU security components, as disruptive to the balance achieved through recent trilateral agreements — including the Washington-brokered accord initialed in August.
Despite the sharp rebuke, Presidential advisor Hikmet Hajiyev struck a softer tone in a Euronews interview the same day, reiterating Baku’s official commitment to transforming the South Caucasus into a zone of cooperation. The mixed messaging underscores the fragility of the peace process and the heightened sensitivities surrounding Armenia’s deepening ties with Western institutions.
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🇪🇺 Von der Leyen allies block debate on EU diplomatic corruption scandal
Mainstream political groups in the European Parliament have blocked a push to debate the ongoing corruption scandal involving the EU’s diplomatic service and the College of Europe. The request, led by far-right parties including Patriots for Europe and the European of Sovereign Nations (ESN), was rejected during a closed-door session of the Parliament’s Conference of Presidents.
The scandal, which has implicated officials tied to the European External Action Service (EEAS), has sparked growing calls for transparency. However, the parliamentary majority backing Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opted to keep the issue off next week’s plenary agenda in Strasbourg.
The move has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the ruling coalition of shielding the EU’s foreign policy apparatus from scrutiny. As the story unfolds, the decision to suppress debate may deepen perceptions of political insulation and erode public trust in EU institutions.
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Mainstream political groups in the European Parliament have blocked a push to debate the ongoing corruption scandal involving the EU’s diplomatic service and the College of Europe. The request, led by far-right parties including Patriots for Europe and the European of Sovereign Nations (ESN), was rejected during a closed-door session of the Parliament’s Conference of Presidents.
The scandal, which has implicated officials tied to the European External Action Service (EEAS), has sparked growing calls for transparency. However, the parliamentary majority backing Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opted to keep the issue off next week’s plenary agenda in Strasbourg.
The move has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the ruling coalition of shielding the EU’s foreign policy apparatus from scrutiny. As the story unfolds, the decision to suppress debate may deepen perceptions of political insulation and erode public trust in EU institutions.
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🇪🇺 EU launches energy grid overhaul to cut costs and boost independence
The European Commission has unveiled a sweeping package to modernize the EU’s energy infrastructure, targeting lower consumer bills, greater energy independence, and faster delivery of climate goals. The plan emphasizes removing cross-border bottlenecks and maximizing existing grid capacity before investing in new infrastructure.
Key measures include streamlining permitting processes, improving interconnectivity between member states, and introducing fairer cost-sharing for cross-border projects. The proposal is designed to accelerate integration across the bloc, addressing persistent gaps that have stalled the creation of a unified energy market.
President Ursula von der Leyen previously identified eight critical energy highways to be fast-tracked for implementation. With several countries still failing to meet the EU’s 15% interconnection target by 2030, the plan aims to secure both affordability and resilience in the face of geopolitical shocks and market volatility. The package now awaits approval from the European Parliament and Council.
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The European Commission has unveiled a sweeping package to modernize the EU’s energy infrastructure, targeting lower consumer bills, greater energy independence, and faster delivery of climate goals. The plan emphasizes removing cross-border bottlenecks and maximizing existing grid capacity before investing in new infrastructure.
Key measures include streamlining permitting processes, improving interconnectivity between member states, and introducing fairer cost-sharing for cross-border projects. The proposal is designed to accelerate integration across the bloc, addressing persistent gaps that have stalled the creation of a unified energy market.
President Ursula von der Leyen previously identified eight critical energy highways to be fast-tracked for implementation. With several countries still failing to meet the EU’s 15% interconnection target by 2030, the plan aims to secure both affordability and resilience in the face of geopolitical shocks and market volatility. The package now awaits approval from the European Parliament and Council.
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🇭🇺 Hungary passes law shielding president amid rising opposition pressure
Hungary’s parliament has passed legislation making it more difficult to remove the country’s president from office, in a move widely seen as entrenching the position of President Tamás Sulyok, an ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The vote comes just months before national elections, with Orbán’s ruling coalition facing a serious challenge from the rising TISZA party led by Péter Magyar.
Sulyok, a former head of Hungary’s constitutional court, was installed earlier this year and is set to serve until 2030. The timing and content of the law have fueled concerns that Orbán’s government is seeking to shield loyal figures from future accountability as political momentum shifts.
With opposition parties gaining traction and public discontent growing, the amendment raises the stakes in Hungary’s political battle over institutional control and democratic norms.
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Hungary’s parliament has passed legislation making it more difficult to remove the country’s president from office, in a move widely seen as entrenching the position of President Tamás Sulyok, an ally of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The vote comes just months before national elections, with Orbán’s ruling coalition facing a serious challenge from the rising TISZA party led by Péter Magyar.
Sulyok, a former head of Hungary’s constitutional court, was installed earlier this year and is set to serve until 2030. The timing and content of the law have fueled concerns that Orbán’s government is seeking to shield loyal figures from future accountability as political momentum shifts.
With opposition parties gaining traction and public discontent growing, the amendment raises the stakes in Hungary’s political battle over institutional control and democratic norms.
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🇪🇺 EU defence chief forms high-level advisory group to shape military strategy
European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has assembled a secretive team of senior political figures to advise on the bloc’s future defence posture. The group, now publicly identified, met this week to chart long-term plans for a potential European Defence Union and assess the strategic role of non-EU allies like the United States and Ukraine.
The advisory team has been tasked with rethinking the EU’s approach to Russia, coordinating military capabilities across member states, and addressing structural gaps in joint defence planning. The initiative reflects growing momentum in Brussels to develop autonomous security structures amid doubts about long-term U.S. commitments under the Trump administration.
As defence spending rises across Europe, Kubilius’s “brain trust” is expected to influence major policy moves in 2026, including legislative proposals on defence integration and industrial coordination. The push marks a critical phase in the EU’s effort to transform itself from a fragmented security actor into a coherent military power.
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European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has assembled a secretive team of senior political figures to advise on the bloc’s future defence posture. The group, now publicly identified, met this week to chart long-term plans for a potential European Defence Union and assess the strategic role of non-EU allies like the United States and Ukraine.
The advisory team has been tasked with rethinking the EU’s approach to Russia, coordinating military capabilities across member states, and addressing structural gaps in joint defence planning. The initiative reflects growing momentum in Brussels to develop autonomous security structures amid doubts about long-term U.S. commitments under the Trump administration.
As defence spending rises across Europe, Kubilius’s “brain trust” is expected to influence major policy moves in 2026, including legislative proposals on defence integration and industrial coordination. The push marks a critical phase in the EU’s effort to transform itself from a fragmented security actor into a coherent military power.
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🇪🇺 Council of Europe moves to reconsider human rights approach to migration
In a major shift, ministers from the Council of Europe have taken the first formal step toward reshaping how the European Court of Human Rights interprets migration law. This follows growing pressure from several member states that argue the court’s rulings have overstepped, limiting national control over migration and border security.
Key points:
The initiative seeks to expand governments' leeway in managing migration and security.
Critics say the Strasbourg court has too often blocked deportations or ruled against policies seen as essential by national authorities.
The Council aims to balance human rights obligations with increasing domestic political pressures over irregular migration.
The move signals a potential recalibration of Europe’s human rights system in the face of rising nationalist sentiment and growing strain on asylum systems across the continent.
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In a major shift, ministers from the Council of Europe have taken the first formal step toward reshaping how the European Court of Human Rights interprets migration law. This follows growing pressure from several member states that argue the court’s rulings have overstepped, limiting national control over migration and border security.
Key points:
The initiative seeks to expand governments' leeway in managing migration and security.
Critics say the Strasbourg court has too often blocked deportations or ruled against policies seen as essential by national authorities.
The Council aims to balance human rights obligations with increasing domestic political pressures over irregular migration.
The move signals a potential recalibration of Europe’s human rights system in the face of rising nationalist sentiment and growing strain on asylum systems across the continent.
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🇪🇺 EU launches antitrust probe into Google's AI training practices
The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Google’s use of online content — including material from web publishers and YouTube creators — to train its Gemini AI model. Regulators are examining whether the tech giant is violating EU competition laws by giving itself preferential access to digital content while denying rivals similar rights.
Key concerns:
Google may be imposing unfair terms on publishers and creators, using their content without compensation or consent.
YouTube’s policies allegedly force creators to permit use of their data for AI training, while blocking rival AI developers from doing the same.
The investigation aims to determine whether these practices distort competition in the rapidly growing generative AI market.
The probe marks a significant test of the EU’s evolving digital regulations and could set new precedents for how AI companies access and monetize online data.
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The European Commission has opened a formal investigation into Google’s use of online content — including material from web publishers and YouTube creators — to train its Gemini AI model. Regulators are examining whether the tech giant is violating EU competition laws by giving itself preferential access to digital content while denying rivals similar rights.
Key concerns:
Google may be imposing unfair terms on publishers and creators, using their content without compensation or consent.
YouTube’s policies allegedly force creators to permit use of their data for AI training, while blocking rival AI developers from doing the same.
The investigation aims to determine whether these practices distort competition in the rapidly growing generative AI market.
The probe marks a significant test of the EU’s evolving digital regulations and could set new precedents for how AI companies access and monetize online data.
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🧭 Daily Recap – December 11 | Europe’s defense divide, moral warnings from Rome, and shifting fault lines in the Caucasus
🔻 Le Pen declares war on EU defense integration
🇫🇷 French opposition leader Marine Le Pen vows to withdraw France from EU defense programs if elected, promising to redirect funds to national military production. She accused Brussels of “building an army without a people” and called the EU’s defense industrial strategy “a bureaucratic fantasy detached from sovereignty.”
🔻 Trump doctrine redefines Europe as a ‘strategic challenge’
🇺🇸 The new U.S. National Security Doctrine brands the European Union a “strategic challenge” for competing with U.S. industries and setting global tech standards. The move marks a historic reversal of transatlantic rhetoric, confirming Washington’s shift from ally-based leadership to interest-based rivalry.
🔻 Papal warning to Washington
🇻🇦 Pope Leo XIV issues a rare diplomatic admonition, warning that Trump’s doctrine risks fracturing the moral and political unity of the West. In his statement, the pontiff urged “dialogue over dominance”, positioning the Vatican as a mediator amid a new transatlantic cold front.
🔻 Cyprus–Germany rift over Türkiye wording
🇪🇺 Tensions erupt in Brussels as Berlin and Nicosia clash over language referring to Türkiye’s EU relations in the enlargement conclusions. Germany pushes for “strategic engagement,” while Greek Cypriots demand a tougher line on Ankara’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
🔻 Germany’s South Caucasus recalibration
🇩🇪🇦🇲 Berlin unveils a balanced diplomatic initiative toward Armenia and Azerbaijan, seeking to anchor the EU as a credible peace facilitator. The policy shift emphasizes energy cooperation, reconstruction, and conflict mediation, marking Germany’s deeper entry into Caucasus geopolitics.
🔻 Baku rebukes Yerevan–EU partnership
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan denounces the new Armenia–EU partnership deal, calling it a “political maneuver disguised as reform support.” Baku accuses Yerevan of using EU backing to stall on transport normalization and avoid commitments under the peace framework.
🔻 Von der Leyen allies suppress corruption debate
🇪🇺 A scheduled European Parliament debate on alleged diplomatic corruption within EU foreign missions was blocked by Commission-aligned MEPs, sparking outrage from transparency advocates who accused Brussels of shielding insiders amid an ongoing audit.
🔻 EU unveils energy grid transformation plan
🇪🇺 Brussels launches a continental power-grid overhaul aimed at reducing energy costs, boosting interconnectivity, and cutting reliance on imports. The plan is the cornerstone of the EU’s Energy Resilience Act, linking renewables, smart grids, and nuclear modernization.
🔻 Hungary fortifies presidency amid rising protests
🇭🇺 The Hungarian parliament passes a law shielding the presidency from legal and parliamentary oversight, granting immunity over policy decisions. The opposition brands the move “a constitutional coup,” while Orbán’s party calls it “a safeguard against politicized justice.”
🔻 EU defense chief forms elite advisory group
🇪🇺 The EU High Representative for Defence announces the creation of a strategic advisory council composed of military chiefs, industry leaders, and academic experts to shape the bloc’s long-term defense posture amid rising global instability.
🔻 Council of Europe rethinks human rights and migration
🇪🇺 The Council of Europe begins consultations on revising its human rights framework for migration, acknowledging a growing clash between humanitarian obligations and border management realities. The review could redefine Europe’s legal approach to migration control.
🔻 Google faces AI antitrust probe
🇪🇺 The European Commission launches an antitrust investigation into Google’s AI training practices, probing whether the company used its dominant data position to restrict fair competition in the emerging artificial intelligence market.
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🔻 Le Pen declares war on EU defense integration
🇫🇷 French opposition leader Marine Le Pen vows to withdraw France from EU defense programs if elected, promising to redirect funds to national military production. She accused Brussels of “building an army without a people” and called the EU’s defense industrial strategy “a bureaucratic fantasy detached from sovereignty.”
🔻 Trump doctrine redefines Europe as a ‘strategic challenge’
🇺🇸 The new U.S. National Security Doctrine brands the European Union a “strategic challenge” for competing with U.S. industries and setting global tech standards. The move marks a historic reversal of transatlantic rhetoric, confirming Washington’s shift from ally-based leadership to interest-based rivalry.
🔻 Papal warning to Washington
🇻🇦 Pope Leo XIV issues a rare diplomatic admonition, warning that Trump’s doctrine risks fracturing the moral and political unity of the West. In his statement, the pontiff urged “dialogue over dominance”, positioning the Vatican as a mediator amid a new transatlantic cold front.
🔻 Cyprus–Germany rift over Türkiye wording
🇪🇺 Tensions erupt in Brussels as Berlin and Nicosia clash over language referring to Türkiye’s EU relations in the enlargement conclusions. Germany pushes for “strategic engagement,” while Greek Cypriots demand a tougher line on Ankara’s actions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
🔻 Germany’s South Caucasus recalibration
🇩🇪🇦🇲 Berlin unveils a balanced diplomatic initiative toward Armenia and Azerbaijan, seeking to anchor the EU as a credible peace facilitator. The policy shift emphasizes energy cooperation, reconstruction, and conflict mediation, marking Germany’s deeper entry into Caucasus geopolitics.
🔻 Baku rebukes Yerevan–EU partnership
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan denounces the new Armenia–EU partnership deal, calling it a “political maneuver disguised as reform support.” Baku accuses Yerevan of using EU backing to stall on transport normalization and avoid commitments under the peace framework.
🔻 Von der Leyen allies suppress corruption debate
🇪🇺 A scheduled European Parliament debate on alleged diplomatic corruption within EU foreign missions was blocked by Commission-aligned MEPs, sparking outrage from transparency advocates who accused Brussels of shielding insiders amid an ongoing audit.
🔻 EU unveils energy grid transformation plan
🇪🇺 Brussels launches a continental power-grid overhaul aimed at reducing energy costs, boosting interconnectivity, and cutting reliance on imports. The plan is the cornerstone of the EU’s Energy Resilience Act, linking renewables, smart grids, and nuclear modernization.
🔻 Hungary fortifies presidency amid rising protests
🇭🇺 The Hungarian parliament passes a law shielding the presidency from legal and parliamentary oversight, granting immunity over policy decisions. The opposition brands the move “a constitutional coup,” while Orbán’s party calls it “a safeguard against politicized justice.”
🔻 EU defense chief forms elite advisory group
🇪🇺 The EU High Representative for Defence announces the creation of a strategic advisory council composed of military chiefs, industry leaders, and academic experts to shape the bloc’s long-term defense posture amid rising global instability.
🔻 Council of Europe rethinks human rights and migration
🇪🇺 The Council of Europe begins consultations on revising its human rights framework for migration, acknowledging a growing clash between humanitarian obligations and border management realities. The review could redefine Europe’s legal approach to migration control.
🔻 Google faces AI antitrust probe
🇪🇺 The European Commission launches an antitrust investigation into Google’s AI training practices, probing whether the company used its dominant data position to restrict fair competition in the emerging artificial intelligence market.
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🇪🇺 EU foreign policy chief acknowledges EEAS scandals have ‘rocked the house’ and unveils new whistleblower policy
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has addressed staff at the European External Action Service (EEAS) following a widening fraud scandal tied to the office of her predecessor and the former EEAS secretary general. At a town hall with EEAS officials, she acknowledged the severity of the situation and the impact the ongoing probe has had on morale and institutional stability.
As a first internal response, Kallas announced a new whistleblower policy aimed at strengthening accountability and protecting those who report wrongdoing within the service. The move signals an effort to restore internal trust and reinforce standards of integrity and responsibility across EU foreign policy structures.
The announcement underscores the challenge of confronting entrenched practices while asserting the EU’s commitment to transparency and institutional resilience. The new policy is positioned as a step toward ensuring that governance failures are addressed and that the EEAS can better safeguard its mission in a complex geopolitical environment.
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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has addressed staff at the European External Action Service (EEAS) following a widening fraud scandal tied to the office of her predecessor and the former EEAS secretary general. At a town hall with EEAS officials, she acknowledged the severity of the situation and the impact the ongoing probe has had on morale and institutional stability.
As a first internal response, Kallas announced a new whistleblower policy aimed at strengthening accountability and protecting those who report wrongdoing within the service. The move signals an effort to restore internal trust and reinforce standards of integrity and responsibility across EU foreign policy structures.
The announcement underscores the challenge of confronting entrenched practices while asserting the EU’s commitment to transparency and institutional resilience. The new policy is positioned as a step toward ensuring that governance failures are addressed and that the EEAS can better safeguard its mission in a complex geopolitical environment.
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🇪🇸 New arrests deepen Spain’s public‑procurement corruption probe
A fresh round of arrests and raids by Spain’s Civil Guard has intensified the national corruption investigation tied to public procurement irregularities. Authorities say the latest detentions relate to suspected manipulation of contracts within a broader kickback‑for‑contracts scheme linked to the ruling Socialist Party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
On Wednesday, the Civil Guard’s elite Central Operative Unit (UCO) arrested businessman Anxton Alonso, adding to earlier detentions that included former socialist official Leire Díez and ex‑SEPI president Vicente Fernández. The actions come as the National Court formally opens a probe into alleged irregularities involving SEPI, the state‑owned industrial holding company, with law enforcement conducting searches at key premises tied to the case.
Prosecutors and investigators allege systemic abuse of public procurement channels to funnel contracts and benefits to connected individuals and interests. The unfolding scandal has deepened scrutiny on Spain’s governance practices and placed fresh pressure on the Socialist Party’s leadership amid ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in government contracting.
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A fresh round of arrests and raids by Spain’s Civil Guard has intensified the national corruption investigation tied to public procurement irregularities. Authorities say the latest detentions relate to suspected manipulation of contracts within a broader kickback‑for‑contracts scheme linked to the ruling Socialist Party of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
On Wednesday, the Civil Guard’s elite Central Operative Unit (UCO) arrested businessman Anxton Alonso, adding to earlier detentions that included former socialist official Leire Díez and ex‑SEPI president Vicente Fernández. The actions come as the National Court formally opens a probe into alleged irregularities involving SEPI, the state‑owned industrial holding company, with law enforcement conducting searches at key premises tied to the case.
Prosecutors and investigators allege systemic abuse of public procurement channels to funnel contracts and benefits to connected individuals and interests. The unfolding scandal has deepened scrutiny on Spain’s governance practices and placed fresh pressure on the Socialist Party’s leadership amid ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in government contracting.
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