What is new in the Growth Plan? What incentives does it provide for the #WesternBalkans to undertake required reforms? How can the Growth Plan help curb corruption? What if #EUenlargement to the Western Balkans doesn't happen? Listen to my interview on ERT here: www.facebook.com/share/v/19tH...

The Trump administration pushed out a university president – its latest bid to close the American mind | Robert Reich

What a thrill to present the inaugural lecture on "#EU #enlargement in a Changing World: Strengthening #Europe's Unity & Resilience" to bright young professionals from the #Visegrad countries, #WB6 & Eastern trio, at the Visegrad Summer School, in Krakow. All that thx to Villa Decius Association! 🙏

After the UN, now NATO. www.politico.eu/article/mark...

WR Mead @gmfus.bsky.social's Brussels Forum says that #Cyprus likely to become a "frontline state" in a world where the #EU is unable to fill the #European space that #Trump has left behind, and that #Turkey (as other powers) is trying to move into. #geopolitics101

It's always something to venture into the streets behind the Brussels South train station (#Bruxelles midi). How can the so-called capital of #Europe let this neighbourhood in such a mess? It's the first thing a foreigner sees of #Brussels!

EU officials accuse bloc of taking ‘little to no meaningful action’ on Gaza

Excited to see our @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social research report on the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. What are the Growth Plan's premises, esp. its economic underpinnings? What risks and benefits? Can the Growth Plan revitalise EU enlargement? www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-res...

📍 If you are in Brussels next Tuesday, do not miss the launch of #IDEES Magazine's latest issue dedicated to the Western Balkans. A discussion on geopolitics, enlargement and illiberalism with @isabelleioannides.bsky.social, Berta López Domènech (EPC) & myself. 🔗 Register here lnkd.in/emc-fe8G

💥 On May 20th I will be in Brussels for the launch of the latest #IDEES Magazine, an issue dedicated to the Balkans. Join @isabelleioannides.bsky.social, Berta López Domènech & myself for a discussion on all things EU-WB. And take home a copy of the magazine! 🔗 Register here lnkd.in/emc-fe8G

Has the #EU-#UK TCA facilitated #trade? My latest briefing assesses the TCA's implementation over the past two years. Despite continuing challenges, the TCA can be an opportunity for deepening EU-UK relations at a time of geoeconomic disruptions. www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en...

Looking to apply for a postdoc on corruption, authoritarianism, EU (non) enlargement and other fun topics… and you want to do it while sipping your favourite beverage by the seaside? Come work with me in Rijeka 🇭🇷 uniri.hr/en/vijesti/m...

Must be the longest 24 hours ever... #Ukraine 🇺🇦 www.foxnews.com/politics/tru...

J'ai eu l'occasion, grâce au journal @lesoir.be, de voir en avant-première le film de Régis Wargnier 'La Réparation'. Une histoire touchante et une interprétation merveilleuse de Julia de Nunes - je vous le recommande vivement!

“No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Alan Garber, Harvard’s president, said about President Trump's demands. nyti.ms/4jzSS9W

“American government, American foreign policy, and American trade policy are slowly being transformed, not to benefit Americans but to benefit the president, his family, and his friends.” www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

Congratulations to Albania for taking another step towards EU membership Today, we opened the Internal Market cluster. While tariffs return elsewhere, we’ll be breaking down barriers to trade and business. Happy to see us building a more united & secure Europe together.

The only countries in #Europe with no #rail services. Ashamed to say I come from one of the them. Maybe @jonworth.eu can help! #train #tram

EU plans to increase financial support for the Palestinian Authority with a three-year package worth around 1.6 billion euros, European Commissioner for Mediterranean Dubravka Suica tells Reuters. www.reuters.com/world/eu-boo...

Where is tge #Cyprus problem headed, if anywhere? Excellent discussion w @jameskerlindsay.bsky.social, @nasiahadjigeorgiou.bsky.social & Fesile Osum. youtu.be/fLWSe8x2un8?...

It seems that I need to update my briefing every couple of days... from announced #tariffs to imposed tarifs to paused or reduced or increased tariffs... get serious! 📈📉 #trade #transatlantic #EUtrade

Reading a lot on the #UStariffs, while finishing a briefing that's evaluating the implementation of the #EU-UK TCA. Zooming in on #trade flows. Watch this space! 🚛🚚🚛🚚

How the EU could boost its defence capabilities with an arms-buyers’ club - Our research with @jzettelmeyer.bsky.social and Armin Steinbach for the ECOFIN finance ministers meeting in Warsaw reviewed by the FT. @bruegel.bsky.social on.ft.com/42jyi6p

Elon Musk says he supports ending all tariffs and creating a US-EU free trade zone—days after President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on Europe and most of the rest of the world. www.politico.eu/article/musk...

Not that the world isn't scary enough as it is, but has anyone spotted any April fool's jokes in the press?

It ain't over till it's over.. #LePen *not an April's fools joke*

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni today decried a court ruling that disqualified French far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen from running to be president in 2027.

Which means that Marine Le Pen won't be able to run for Presisent in 2027.

Speaking of #EUenlargement momentum...

I wonder if the message by #Denmark's FM has missed the point. His assumption is that #Trump wants #cooperation. But Trump has proven again and again, and again, in the last weeks, that he wants to control #Europe. #Greenland (but not only!) www.linkedin.com/posts/udenri...

Turkish opposition leader calls for weekly rallies and deeper economic boycott

"The American imperialism directed towards Denmark and Canada is not just morally wrong. It is strategically disastrous. The US has nothing to gain from it, and much to lose. There is nothing that Americans cannot get from Denmark or Canada through alliance." @timothysnyder.bsky.social is spot on!

USA 🇺🇸 Hier, D. Trump a partagé une vidéo pour mettre en avant les liens entre les USA & le Groenland. Si on résume, la Russie menace l'Europe sur le flanc Est et les États-Unis menacent sur le flanc Ouest. La situation géopolitique est explosive.

Release all hostages.

Are we ready for this eventuality? When are #Denmark and the #EU going to stand up and say "enough is enough" instead of trying to accommodate a #transatlantic relationship that's dead.

The U.S. intelligence community released its annual threat assessment, offering a window into the Trump administration’s worldview. The report cites drug cartels as the top threat, mentioning them even before state actors such as Russia, China, and Iran.

Interesting to see how #EU support is distributed across Member States.

Trumpy's friend

Just WTH 🤦‍♀️ US tells French companies to comply with Donald Trump’s anti-diversity order

Canada ordered 88 F35s but is legally obligated to buy only the first 16. It is now reconsidering its plan for the remaining 72 planes. I’m sure European manufacturers will be making pitches as this reconsideration proceeds.

🚨 We're hiring! Join @theeln.bsky.social as a Senior Policy Fellow on Russia-West relations. Lead research, shape policy, and engage with ELN network members, policymakers, and experts. 🗓️ Deadline: 17 April 2025 🔗 Apply now: europeanleadershipnetwork.org/job/senior-p...

“The UK, France, Germany and the Nordics are among the countries engaged…It would take an estimated five to 10 years of that increased spending to raise European capabilities to a level where they could replace most US competences, the officials said, not including the US nuclear deterrent.”

Let me get started with something positive, sunny #Brussels (it happens!) Everyday small pleasures can't be taken for granted nowadays.