Ulrich Speck

Also by Ulrich Speck

• April 02, 2009

  Europe's New 'Pragmatism' On Belarus

  The European Parliament has adopted a resolution that outlines its support for a broader EU policy of engagement with Belarus. The resolution voices concerns about Minsk's human rights record and formulates clear expectations for future political reform in Belarus. But the move is a further reflection of Europe's new, pragmatic stance on Belarus.

• March 28, 2009

  Germany Signals Enlargement May Be A Step Too Far

  German Chancellor Angela Merkel made headlines when she said the EU needs to "consolidate" before the bloc can take on new members. As EU foreign ministers meet in the Czech Republic with prospective entrants, many are asking what Merkel's statement means for the future.

• March 20, 2009

  European Leaders Give Green Light To Nabucco

  A summit of European Union leaders in Brussels has given final approval on March 20 to 5 billion euros of investments in energy and telecom infrastructure projects, including the controversial Nabucco pipeline.

• March 19, 2009

  EU Discusses Crisis Plan

  EU leaders are gathering in Brussels to discuss the economic crisis, amid fresh news that the downturn in Europe is likely to be even worse than expected. The summit will also look at the EU's Eastern Partnership to forge closer ties with former Soviet neighbors.

• March 16, 2009

  Extending A Hand To Minsk

  Foreign ministers from the European Union are gathering in Brussels to decide whether to continue a recent easing of sanctions against Belarus. The move is intended to foster closer ties despite continued criticism over rights and democracy issues.

• March 10, 2009

  Biden Says Afghan War 'Far From Lost'

  On a visit to NATO headquarters in Brussels, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden warned of the "deteriorating situation" in South Asia, but asserted that while the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan has been tough, the war is far from lost.

• March 05, 2009

  Russia Reset

  With the new U.S. administration looking to "reset" relations with Russia, NATO has announced it will restore full diplomatic relations with Moscow. Six years of cooperation between the alliance and Moscow on the NATO-Russia Council was abruptly suspended in August 2008, after Russia's war with Georgia.

• March 05, 2009

  Afghanistan, Russia Top Clinton's European Agenda

  After spending the early part of the week immersing herself in Middle East diplomacy, Hillary Clinton is in Brussels for her first visit to Europe as U.S. secretary of state. During her trip, Clinton is expected to try to boost trans-Atlantic cooperation and to discuss U.S. foreign policy priorities -- including Afghanistan and NATO's relations with Russia.

• March 01, 2009

  Focus Shifts In Trans-Atlantic Debate On Contributions

  Ahead of next month's NATO summit in Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany, there are signs that the Obama administration and its European allies might reconsider their cooperation in Afghanistan. Instead of arguing over troop levels, both sides might agree on a European-led surge in police training.

• February 20, 2009

  EU Weighs Image, Energy In Relations

  The EU Presidency and the European Commission, keen to see their dreams of alternative energy supplies realized, are increasingly courting Turkmenistan. But in playing the role of suitor with Ashgabat, the major European actors are finding that they may have to betray human rights principles to get what they want.

• February 11, 2009

  EU, Tajikistan Move Toward Closer Cooperation

  The European Union is ready to improve its relationship with Tajikistan in keeping with broader efforts to expand its role in Central Asia. The head of the European Commission gave clear indications of this after meeting with the Tajik president, whose agenda in Brussels will include security and energy issues.

• February 09, 2009

  Rahmon Looks To Boost Relations With EU, NATO

  With relations with Moscow souring and the Afghan war effort in need of regional supply routes, Tajikistan's president arrives in Brussels for high-level talks aimed at increasing cooperation with EU and NATO.

• February 08, 2009

  Europe Divided Over Energy

  January's two-week gas shutoff following a pricing spat between supplier Russia and transit country Ukraine could not have taken Europeans by surprise. In January 2006, a similar conflict between the two countries led to a similar disruption. After that crisis, it was said time and again that Europe must become serious about energy security, by developing and implementing a strategy of diversification. But not very much happened -- in large part because European countries remain divided over the

• February 06, 2009

  EU, Russia Stress Goodwill, But Divisions Remain

  At a joint press conference in Moscow with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso underlined the EU's determination to deepen its relationship with Russia. Both sides, he said, are dependent on each other.