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NL Exciting days in northern Macedonia: will EU accession talks resume?
Photo: Parliament of Northern Macedonia, Wikimedia Commons On 18 August, the parliament of Northern Macedonia began a 10-day debate on a constitutional amendment that would pave the way for EU accession. The required two-thirds majority of MPs has not yet been achieved. Instead, the main opposition party has called for new elections [...]
Concerns over new Jordanian 'cybercrime' law
Photo: The King of Jordan, Wikimedia Commons On 12 August, Jordan's King Abdullah II approved legislation that puts strong controls on what Jordanians can say and do on the internet. This law, previously passed by the Jordanian parliament and senate, will be officially implemented in a few weeks. [...]
Why climate justice is also a social struggle
Photo: Jay Wennington via Unsplash In several countries where the FMS operates, the excesses of climate change and pollution by multinationals are becoming visible - with major consequences for populations. They experience the direct consequences of environmental pollution, such as poor air quality, cleared forests, and water scarcity. This has triggered various forms of protest - often met with violent [...]
The alarming humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh
Photo: Wikimedia Commons The Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is close to both Armenia and Azerbaijan, has been under severe pressure since the end of the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War in 2020. The region became relevant again in December 2022, when Azerbaijan imposed a blockade on the road from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. Recently, this blockade led to [...]
The 16th edition of the social democratic 'Summer Camp' in northern Macedonia
In northern Macedonia, Foundation Max van der Stoel is working with the Progress Institute for Social Democracy, an institute affiliated to the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia (SDSM). As Macedonia has resumed its journey towards democracy and EU accession after a parliamentary crisis in 2017, it is important that international partners continue their support. Partly [...]
'Progressive Leadership & Just Recovery' training with SD Platform Ukraine
Last weekend, from 7 to 9 July, FMS, together with the SD Platform in Ukraine, organised a three-day training on "Progressive Leadership & Just Recovery" in Kyiv. The SD Platform in Ukraine has been working for years from the bottom up to promote fair, social politics for all - including in times of war. These trainings are [...]
New European publication on the way forward in Ukraine
Russia's aggression against Ukraine in February 2022 shocked the world and brought great devastation and trauma. The war continues in 2023, characterised by an unruly Ukraine, fighting courageously and energetically for its sovereignty, rule of law and self-determination. Western forces, with the European Union at the forefront, play an important role in [...]
Visit from the Balkans
On Tuesday 3 July, Foundation Max van der Stoel was visited by prominent members of social democratic parties from Southeast Europe who were in The Hague for a working visit focused on political integrity, at the initiative of the North American National Democratic Institute (NDI). The Southeast European attendees included NDI staff, party officials, and councillors from the [...]
Riots, wounded NATO soldiers and new elections: five questions answered on unrest in northern Kosovo
Violence broke out in northern Kosovo last month following local elections in four pro-Serb municipalities. At least 25 UN peacekeeping force soldiers were injured in riots. Several of Kosovo's traditional allies have - most unusually - identified Pristina as the main culprit in the unrest. This article asks five questions about the situation in Kosovo [...]
Tunisia receives EU financial support to tackle migration
Source: Martin Schulz The European Union is considering giving Tunisia around €900 million to support its economy in exchange for better border control and measures against human trafficking. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, said €150 million in budget support will be provided immediately once the necessary agreement is reached. Prime Minister [...]
