The global economic crisis at the turn of the 2010s, which called into question the efficiency of the EU’s crisis recovery measures, created prerequisites for the consolidation "for survival" of regional alliances that had not, previously, been considered high profile. Thus, against the backdrop of skeptical reasoning over the EU’s destiny, the Visegrad Group has made efforts to consolidate and intensify interaction.  READ MORE

A sizeable crowd gathers in the Deademis Park in Tbilisi on a sunny Sunday afternoon. There is music, hot wine and several tents tended by university students who are handing out brochures about travelling in the EU, its visa and education policies. READ MORE

An acute domestic and foreign political situation, established after factual refusal of Kiev to sign the EU association treaty, encouraged German business circles to specify in public its line in this issue. READ MORE

On 1 January work restrictions will be relaxed for Romanian and Bulgarian immigrants entering the UK - there is uncertainty about what the effects might be. READ MORE

Afghanistan, partnerships with Russia and Georgia, and preparations for next year’s Summit of Allied leaders are top issues to be discussed during a two-day NATO Foreign Ministerial which starts on Tuesday (3 December 2013). READ MORE

EU diplomats admitted that "time for reflection" was needed after Ukraine declined the opportunity to join the bloc at a two-day 'Eastern Partnership' summit in Vilnius that ended today (29 November), highlighting the EU’s weakness against an ever-more assertive Russia. READ MORE

Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron wants to restrict access for immigrants to the welfare system. EU officials have harshly criticized the proposals. With his campaign, Cameron is attacking a pillar of the EU. READ MORE

Ankara's desire is to normalise relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu was quoted by the Turkish news agency Ikhlas as saying. READ MORE

EU leaders will discuss the common security and defense strategy at a summit in December. Insiders expect little tangible outcome but say it will be a test for Europe's credibility as a global player. READ MORE

London’s High Court has ordered a fugitive Kazakh former banker to pay damages of around $400 million to the bank he allegedly embezzled it from, the court said. READ MORE