European Union

Italy's government has expanded the lockdown of 15 provinces in the "red zone" in the north to the whole country in a bid to stop the spread of the new coronavirus. All public institutions are closed and all sport events have been cancelled. The death toll has climbed to more than 460. Commentators say the country's citizens also share responsibility for this drastic step.

Oil prices plunged by around 30 percent on Monday - the sharpest drop since 1991. In addition to the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus this was primarily the result of a dispute between Saudi Arabia and Russia, which were unable to agree on a reduction in production volumes at a meeting of the oil-producing countries (Opec+). Is a price war a good idea in these times of crisis?

Ten days ago the Republic of Cyprus closed four border crossing points to Northern Cyprus. The government in Nicosia said the measure was aimed at protecting citizens from coronavirus. The Council of Ministers is due to decide today, Tuesday, whether to reopen the crossings after the closure sparked protests on both the Turkish-Cypriot and Greek-Cypriot sides. What are the real motives for the closure?

The Greek government has decided to pass legislation allowing using seized alcohol to produce antiseptics. The ministries of health, justice and economy have pushed forward a law making it possible to use seized or smuggled ethyl alcohol in order to...

Is the European Union Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region still a role-model in the macro-regional cooperation framework? Marta Czarnecka-Gallas gives some answers.

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