EU-China Summit: Restoring peace and stability in Ukraine is a shared responsibility

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union and China held their 23rd bilateral Summit via videoconference on 1 April 2022. President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, held the Summit meeting with China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang, followed […]

Why China shouldn’t become Biden’s scapegoat amidst the war in Ukraine

While the entire world is shocked by the “abrupt” end of peace and prosperity in Europe which was signaled by the recent war in Ukraine, it is interesting to also observe opportunistic campaigns from the West which might further hinder stability in our world. Although sanctions are a powerful diplomacy tool and the EU and […]

EU-China Leaders’ meeting: Delivering results by standing firm on EU interests and values

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The European Union (represented by President of the European Council, Charles Michel and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen held a leaders’ meeting with China (represented by President Xi Jinping) via videoconference on 30 December 2020. The European Union (represented by […]

“China needs to convince the EU that it is worth having an investment agreement” but not the EU to convince China? China-EU Leaders’ Meeting 2020 calls for mutual “transparency, reciprocity and respect”

Last Monday, the very important China-EU Leaders’ Meeting took place through videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic, between China’s President Xi, the President of the EU Council Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. There is no doubt that after the wide criticism regarding the EU’s mistakes during June’s China-EU […]

On the 22nd China-EU Summit: “negotiating partner, economic competitor and systemic rival”; is this the right EU approach to address your 2nd biggest trading partner?

Yesterday was the day that the much anticipated 22nd China-EU Summit took place. As this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, the EU-China Summit had been initially scheduled to take place earlier in March but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yesterday, the Summit took place through […]

Ursula von der Leyen: ‘We must not hold onto yesterday’s economy as we rebuild’

This article is brought to you thanks to the collaboration of The European Sting with the World Economic Forum. Author: Kate Whiting, Senior Writer, Formative Content European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has outlined a recovery package to help EU Member States rebuild after the coronavirus crisis. She said investment in rebuilding would come at the price […]

How our Europe will regain its strength: op-ed by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. The last few weeks have turned our world upside down. It seems like a lifetime ago that we were going about our everyday business. But by now, some of you reading will have had symptoms, many of you will know someone who is sick […]

Shaping Europe’s digital future: op-ed by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission. I am a tech optimist. My belief in technology as a force for good comes from my experience as a medical student. I learnt and saw first-hand its ability to change fates, save lives and make mundane what once would have been a miracle. […]

EU-Turkey relations: Erdogan plays the refugee card while beefing up gas operations in the Eastern Mediterranean sea

EU accession talks with Turkey have been suspended as Turkey is showing poor results in upholding human rights, the rule of law, media freedom and the fight against corruption. Turkey is attempting though to change this situation and enhance its relations with the EU discussing current matters with the EU officials and especially with Germany […]

Parliament elects Ursula von der Leyen as first female Commission President

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. With 383 votes in favour, the European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen President of the next European Commission in a secret ballot on 16 July. She is set to take office on 1 November 2019 for a five-year term. There were 733 votes […]

The end of Spitzenkandidat: EU leaders concluded unexpectedly on EU top jobs

The EU leaders finally came to a conclusion after three long days of tough negotiations where German Chancellor’s suggestion to appoint Frans Timmermans as next European Commission president has been turned down by Italy and eastern countries. The solution was given with the nomination of a woman and particularly German Defence Minister Ursula von der […]

Germany to re-invent its security position in Europe and a chaotic world

At the Munich Security Conference of last week, the hottest criticism for the Grand Coalition agreement of Angela Merkel and Martin Schulz, coming from within and without the country was about not spending enough on armaments and security. The American Defense Secretary Jim Mattis focused on that Germany must spend 2% of GDP on defense, […]