Luxembourg

Lithuania

Germany

Finland

Latvia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Greece

France

Estonia

United Kingdom

Belgium

Portugal

Poland

Austria

Slovenia

Netherlands

Spain

Economics

The European Union proposed a three-year delay for tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) traded with the United Kingdom, which were originally set to enter into force in 2024 under the terms of the post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), Bloomberg reported Dec. 6.

EU, U.K.: Brussels Proposes Three-Year Delay to EV Tariffs in Trade with London

Australia

China

Sweden

Italy

Politics

Free trade talks between the European Union and Australia hit a roadblock as the two sides' trade representatives failed to resolve a dispute over quotas for access to Australian farm products such as lamb, sugar, dairy and especially beer into the EU market, the Financial Times reported July 11.

EU, Australia: Trade Talks Hit Another Roadblock Over Meat Quotas

Slovakia

Hungary

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

The European Parliament voted in favor of the EU Nature Restoration Law, the European Commission's proposal to restore degraded land and biodiversity within the bloc, with supporters of the law narrowly defeating an attempt by conservative groups to sink it, Euractiv reported on July 12.

EU: European Parliament Backs EU Nature Restoration Law by Narrow Margin

Algeria

Morocco

Tunisia

Energy

The energy ministries of Austria, Germany and Italy signed a joint letter supporting the designation of a hydrogen pipeline called the "SouthH2 Corridor" as a European Union Project of Common Interest, which would enable the project to receive public funds and fast-tracked permits, Reuters reported on May 9.

EU: Push for Hydrogen Pipeline Will Aid Bloc's Energy Transition

Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Divided EU Foreign Policies

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said the European Union should consider granting neighboring states such as Ukraine rapid access to "parts of the common market" and to some EU institutions and programs as they seek full membership in the bloc, the Financial Times reported May 1.

Austria, Ukraine: Vienna Calls for 'Creative' Ways to Grant Kyiv Access to EU Institutions

The Fate of the Eurozone

Austria's Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announced that his government opposed granting Ukraine EU candidate status and said the European Union should instead offer Kyiv "another path" forward in its relationship with the 27-member bloc, RFE/RL reported April 23.

Ukraine, Austria: Vienna Opposes Granting Ukraine EU Candidate Status

COVID-19

The Austrian government announced a lockdown starting Nov. 22 that will last for a maximum of 20 days, and vaccination against COVID-19 will be mandatory for all Austrians starting February 2022, Deutsche Welle reported Nov. 19. 

Austria: Full Lockdown and Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination

United States

Cyber

 France, Italy, Spain, Austria and the United Kingdom agreed with the United States to withdraw their digital services taxes to make way for the implementation of the global tax reform recently agreed to at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Reuters reported Oct. 21.

U.S.: European Countries Agree to Remove Digital Services Taxes

Columns

On Geopolitics

Europe

Romania

Demonstrators hold Spanish flags during a protest called by the country’s far-right Vox party in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 12, 2023. 

Far-right parties are expected to perform strongly in sub-national, national and EU elections next year, portending significant shifts in governance and policies.

In Europe, Far-Right Parties Are Again on the Rise

Snapshots

Bulgaria

An EU sign is seen at a Romanian border crossing.

Bulgaria and Romania have set out to join the EU's passport-free zone by the year's end, but Austrian and Dutch skepticism will likely keep delaying their membership and the associated economic benefits.

The Challenges Facing Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen Bids

Malta

Cyprus

Rail cars loaded with steel sit at the ThyssenKrupp Schwelgern steel plant on May 30, 2018 in Duisburg, Germany. 

The European Union and the United States will increase efforts to deconflict their trade and climate policies ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential and EU parliamentary elections, but lingering disagreements will not allow for a complete respite of Trump-era tariffs on EU steel and aluminum.

EU-U.S. Steel and Aluminum Negotiations Make Limited Headway

Assessments

Solar panels on Aug. 9, 2023, in Neuss, Germany.

Resistance to environmental initiatives in Europe will likely continue beyond the 2024 EU elections, portending less ambitious climate targets and greater protectionism.

Europe Faces a Less Ambitious Environmental Agenda

On Security

The director of Austria's intelligence agency (left) and the president of Vienna's state police hold a press conference on a foiled Vienna pride parade attack on June 18, 2023. 

Military & Security

The latest disruption in Vienna shows that Western counterterrorism personnel remain vigilant, but a loss of focus over time will lead to gaps that terrorists may exploit in the future.

What the Foiled Vienna Pride Parade Plot Suggests About the Islamist Threat to the West

The Romanian and EU flags are seen at the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in February 2017.

Pushback from other EU members is impeding Bucharest's bid to join the passport-free zone, which would have both economic and political consequences for the country.

The Risks of Romania's Protracted Accession to the EU's Schengen Area

Passengers from London arrive at a Eurostar terminal in Paris on Dec. 16, 2021, before France imposed new travel restrictions to and from the United Kingdom in response to the omicron variant of COVID-19. 

Supply Chains

European Disintegration

Tourism and hospitality sectors will again be hit hardest, as governments prioritize protecting manufacturing and supply chains over business and leisure travel.

In Europe, Omicron Fears Spur More Travel Bans and Lockdowns

Guidance

Chile

Venezuela

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, during an official welcoming Oct. 15, 2019, in the Emirati capital's Al-Watan presidential palace. Mohammed will possibly meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Nov. 24 

Venezuela's Unraveling

Southeast Asia: Burdened by Consensus

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended Stratfor articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Lockdowns Return to Europe, an Emirati-Turkish Meeting

Egypt

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez speaks during a rally in Merlo, Argentina, on Nov. 11, 2021, ahead of the country’s upcoming midterm elections. 

U.S.-China Relations

The Weekly Rundown: Midterm Elections in Argentina, a Virtual Biden-Xi Summit

Norway

Saudi Arabia

Emergency personnel on Oct. 31, 2020, in Lyon, France, at the scene of an attack on a Greek Orthodox priest. The continual reemergence of the Mohammed cartoon controversy suggests that this issue will remain an issue that motivates violence for years to come.

The Jihadist Wars

The continual reemergence of the Mohammed cartoon controversy suggests that this issue will remain an issue that motivates violence for years to come.

How Satirical Cartoons Have Become a Flashpoint for Violence in Europe and Abroad

French President Emmanuel Macron (center) arrives at the Spanish border in Le Perthus, France, after he announced that the number of border guards would be doubled to 4,800 from 2,400 "because of the worsening of the threat" from terrorism on Nov. 5, 2020.

Security

EU: Regional Blocs

Additional cross-border attacks in Europe could increase pressure on governments to abolish, or at least suspend, the Continent's passport-free Schengen area. 

France Pushes to Tighten Europe’s Borders Amid Terrorist Attacks

Croatia

Russia

A satellite image shows Europe at night.

The New Silk Road

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

The move shows the White House remains committed to its security and economic engagements in the region, with an eye on countering China and Russia. 

The U.S. Ramps Up Financial Support to Central and Eastern Europe

A landlocked country in Central Europe, Austria's two main geographic features are the Alps - which give the country its mountainous landscape - and the Danube river - which flows through Austria's north on its way to the Black Sea. An important avenue for Austrian trade with Central and Eastern Europe, the Danube also runs through the country's capital city of Vienna.     Austria has traditionally been a Central European power, with areas of influence ranging from the Carpathians in the east to the Balkans in the south. From the 13th to the early 20th century, the Austrian Habsburg monarchy was a major political player in Europe. Though the Allies occupied Austria after World War II, the country managed regain full independence in 1955 after declaring neutrality. This allowed Vienna to position itself as bridge between the Soviet Union and the West during the Cold War. To this day, Austria remains a meeting point for world leaders and contains the headquarters of many international organizations.    Though Austrian influence over European affairs has diminished significantly since the end of the Hapsburg monarchy, the country joined the European in 1995 and still considers itself an interlocutor between Eastern and Western Europe. Austria has sought to rebuild its traditional sphere of influence over the territories that were once part of its empire, particularly through investment. As an export-oriented country, Austria is supportive of the European Union as long as it creates opportunities for trade and investment. However, Austria is not a founding member of the European project and is skeptical of the process of EU integration. Austria's main geopolitical challenge is therefore to preserve ties with its neighbors without jeopardizing its national sovereignty. 

SITUATION REPORTS

EU, U.K.: Brussels Proposes Three-Year Delay to EV Tariffs in Trade with London

EU, Australia: Trade Talks Hit Another Roadblock Over Meat Quotas

EU: European Parliament Backs EU Nature Restoration Law by Narrow Margin

EU: Push for Hydrogen Pipeline Will Aid Bloc's Energy Transition

Austria, Ukraine: Vienna Calls for 'Creative' Ways to Grant Kyiv Access to EU Institutions

Ukraine, Austria: Vienna Opposes Granting Ukraine EU Candidate Status

Austria: Full Lockdown and Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination

U.S.: European Countries Agree to Remove Digital Services Taxes

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