European Union

A wildfire which has been raging on the Greek island of Rhodes for five days forced hundreds of people to flee affected villages and beaches by land and sea on Saturday (22 July), authorities said.

Spain heads to the polls on Sunday (23 July) in a potentially close-run general election marked by ideological differences, the spectre of the far-right and irritation at being forced to vote during the summer holidays.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Saturday (22 July) renewed an attack on the European Union for conducting what he called an "LGBTQ offensive", saying his nationalist government would protect the country's Christian roots.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday (21 July) that the bridge linking the Crimea peninsula to Russia "brings war not peace" and was therefore a military target.

President Vladimir Putin on Friday (21 July) accused NATO member Poland of having territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union, and said any aggression against Russia's neighbour and close ally Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Friday (21 July) of the risk of a new war with Azerbaijan, accusing Baku of "genocide" in the breakaway Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Spanish election campaign, as expected, has been a constant crossfire of accusations and dirty narratives, especially between Alberto Nunez Feijoo, candidate of the conservative opposition Partido Popular (PP), and current socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.  “Your corruption cases are...

 

I am incredibly grateful to have been awarded the prestigious UACES scholarship. As a Ph.D. candidate in political science, this incredible opportunity has allowed me to embark on an exciting journey to the heart of European politics to conduct fieldwork research.

The capital of Belgium and the de-facto capital of the European Union, Brussels served as an ideal setting for my research. I was immediately struck by the rich history and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the vibrant city. With its numerous EU institutions, policymakers, and international organizations, conducting fieldwork in Brussels presented a unique opportunity to explore the captivating realm of European politics.

With the support of the UACES scholarship, I spent 7 weeks researching in Brussels from the 27th of March to the 14th of May 2023. The scholarship covered my transport, accommodation, and food expenses, providing me with a remarkable opportunity to conduct research for my thesis on the European Union’s capacity as an autonomous actor in international affairs, with a particular focus on its involvement in the Iranian nuclear crisis.

 

The Why of This Trip

The primary objective of my research trip was to conduct in-depth interviews with key stakeholders and experts within EU institutions. Engaging in direct conversations with policymakers, advisors, and scholars allowed me to gain a comprehensive understanding of the EU’s strategies, positions, and interactions with other international actors in the context of international conflict resolution. These interviews form the cornerstone of my thesis and provide invaluable firsthand insights into the EU’s role, actions, and decision-making processes during the Iranian nuclear crisis.

 

Conducting Interviews and Networking

Thanks to the UACES scholarship, I had the privilege of conducting interviews with EU officials in prominent institutions, including the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Parliament. These enlightening conversations offered unique perspectives on the EU’s involvement in the Iranian nuclear crisis, providing a crucial empirical foundation for my thesis. Analyzing the rich data collected during my interviews, I hope to contribute to the academic discourse on the EU’s international actorness and autonomy.

Moreover, this research trip facilitated valuable collaborations and networking opportunities. I was honored to be a visiting researcher at both Kent University’s Brussels School of International Studies and at the Université libre de Bruxelles. These research stays not only provided me with essential resources such as libraries, internet facilities, and academic working spaces, but also connected me with respected researchers and experts specializing in the Iranian nuclear crisis and European politics. The guidance and support from these esteemed host institutions significantly enhanced the quality and depth of my research, fostering an environment of intellectual exchange and interdisciplinary engagement

 

Concluding the Benefits

As my fieldwork research in Brussels drew to a close, I felt a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment. The UACES scholarship not only provided the means for me to conduct in-depth interviews but also enabled me to immerse myself in the vibrant political landscape of the European Union. The knowledge and insights gained from this research trip will undoubtedly shape my future academic pursuits and significantly contribute to my thesis research, shedding light on the EU’s role in the Iranian nuclear crisis and its broader actorness in international affairs.

The post Research Trip to Brussels Supported by the UACES Scholarship appeared first on Ideas on Europe.

If we fail to seize momentum, a reform of the EU's asylum and migration system will disappear over the horizon, further condemning Europe to its current, dysfunctional system. The Spanish EU presidency has a huge responsibility on its shoulders.

The energy crisis triggered by Russia's war in Ukraine is taking its toll on EU citizens, with 9.3% of the population unable to keep their homes adequately warm in 2022, a jump from 6.9% the year before, according to Eurostat. 

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the Commission greenlighting funding worth €2 billion for Germany's ailing mailing system, with right-wingers bemoaning now-former EU Commissioner Frans Timmermans leaving Brussels to join the national election race, and so much more.

Ukraine's central bank said it will nationalise Russian-owned Sense Bank, one of the country's top commercial banks, and put it under temporary administration on Friday (21 July).

Spanish new Sumar party has opened the door for all left-wing forces to work together ahead of Spanish and EU elections, paving the way for the European Greens to boost their political weight.

Britain's government reacted angrily Thursday (20 July) after the European Union used the Argentine term for the Falkland Islands, the territory over which the two countries fought a war in 1982.

Tensions rose in Bulgaria’s capital after Ukrainian website Myrotvorets added Bulgarian policymakers to their blacklist of enemies, while President Rumen Radev, as well as three parliamentary forces – pro-European GERB and pro-Russian Vazrazhdane and the Bulgarian Socialist Party, demanded the...

Serbia was hit by a strong storm that carried roofs and uprooted trees Wednesday, resulting in the evacuation of 40 people and the hospitalisation of others. Most of Serbia was affected by the storm, which was commented on social networks...

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu asked the new labour minister to suspend the heads of the County Agencies for Payments and Social Inspection in the counties where care homes were found operating with serious irregularities after investigation bodies opened 47 criminal...

Greece’s independent Data Protection Authority announced on Thursday that more than 350 SMS related to the Predator spyware programme have been sent and 92 people have been spotted as “targets”.

European investors are sounding the alarm over sustainable reporting rules, which they say have been weakened by the European Commission. Many reporting requirements that were mandatory in an earlier draft have been made voluntary, including climate, biodiversity and transition-plan reporting.

Russian state prosecutors on Thursday (20 July) asked a court to sentence jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny to a further 20 years in a penal colony on criminal charges, including extremism, at the close of his trial, his supporters said.