Eurotopics.net

France, the Netherlands and Denmark are opposing the launch of EU accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania. The French government has demanded that the entire accession process be reformed before it gives its consent for accession negotiations to begin. Commentators discuss the consequences.

Uefa is considering sanctions against the Turkish national team after players made a military salute at the Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Albania and France in a show of support for the Turkish army's offensive in northern Syria. While some commentators call for tough reprisals others advise a more lenient approach.

Thousands of farmers demonstrated in The Hague on Wednesday against new environmental regulations aimed at cutting nitrogen emissions. The farmers blocked roads with their tractors and set off fireworks. But violent actions will get them nowhere, commentators say.

As the Turkish army advances in Syria the country's government is cracking down on critics at home. Criminal investigations have been launched against the co-chairs of the pro-Kurdish opposition party HDP, for example, for calling the operation an invasion. All other parties have given their approval for the offensive. Commentators ask if the war will benefit or harm Erdoğan in the long term.