Regions

How Do Little Frogs Fly? Small States in the European Union

Small EU member states need to exploit the special characteristics of their small public administrations in order to secure their interests and have influence within the Union. They must develop an administrative competence based on features like informality, flexibility, and the autonomy of officials operating according to guidelines rather than fixed negotiating instructions. They also need to acknowledge their limitations, and set priorities to a much greater extent than the large states. A strategy based on these features, combined with a positive image and political willingness, can bring negotiating success within the EU’s decision-making processes.

Reality check for the EU: The stand-off with Russia challenges the European Union in its fundaments

Russia’s military attacks in Ukraine are not only an assault on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of one of the European Union’s largest neighbours. They also impose multiple important challenges to the European Union (EU). Moscow has questioned the architecture, rules and institutions of the European post-Cold War security order and forces the EU to reconsider its external policies, particularly in its Eastern neighbourhood. Reactions of EU member governments, of certain political parties and media have exposed the EU’s vulnerability to Russian influence, which risks undermining the EU’s ability to forge an impactful approach to Russia and the EU’s eastern neighborhood.

Turkish-Iranian relations after the framework agreement

På tide å bevæpne Ukraina?