CEPS Foreign Policy
@ceps-fp.bsky.social
Founded in Brussels in 1983, @CEPS.eu is a leading think tank and forum for debate on EU affairs, with an exceptionally strong in-house research capacity and an extensive network of partner institutes throughout the world.
It’s the timing that stings most. With Arctic shipping lanes opening & great powers circling Greenland’s minerals, the EU has lost its chance to firmly anchor a like-minded democracy and partner in its Arctic strategy at the moment it matters most. My 2 cents in WSJ. Via @icds-tallinn.bsky.social
Iceland’s Rejection of EU Keeps It a NATO Island Straddling U.S. and Europe
The referendum results highlight the challenges for the European Union in attracting rich democracies.
wsj.com
Iceland’s voters chose the devil they know: EEA membership without a seat at the table, market access without a vote on the rules. It’s a very Icelandic compromise-close enough to the EU to benefit, far enough to avoid answering to it. The EU will have to make peace with that arrangement, once again
Iceland’s Voters Give the EU the Cold Shoulder
The narrow rejection of the resumption of accession negotiations between Iceland and the EU hits Brussels at a bad moment. A chance for reenergizing the enlargement and reform process has been missed.
ip-quarterly.com
A new commentary by @stevenblockmans.bsky.social 📌Although the Icelandic vote does not concern EU membership itself, its implications extend well beyond the mid-Atlantic island Read here: reunir-horizon.eu/icelands-sma... @icds-tallinn.bsky.social @ceps.eu @horizoneu.bsky.social
The EU and Japan experience similar challenges and share similar values. So – why not share solutions? 🇪🇺🇯🇵 In a new Substack post, Malte Wolski argues that Brussels and Tokyo should strengthen their ties and build more joint projects. Read it here: cepseu.substack.com/p/the-eu-jap...
🇪🇺 Is "associate membership" a stepping stone or a stumbling block for 🇺🇦's EU future? A new analysis by @stevenblockmans.bsky.social & Michael Emerson cuts through a debate sparked by Chancellor Merz's recent letter to EU leadership Read here: tinyurl.com/mryucy6a @horizoneu.bsky.social @ceps.eu
The EaP is an increasingly outdated framework to structure the EU’s relations with 6 states whose paths have diverged sharply since 2022. With a view to the allocation of budget in the next MFF, it should be retired and replaced by a more flexible policy fabric. @dgap.org @icds-tallinn.bsky.social
Retiring the Eastern Partnership: What Comes Next? | EAP Think Tanks
The Eastern Partnership (EaP) has become an increasingly outdated framework to structure the EU’s relations with six neighboring states whose paths have diverged sharply since 2022.
eapthinktanks.org
One of the biggest concerns about EU accession of Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans is a potential increase of the EU’s budget and the redirection of cohesion and agricultural funds towards new members, disadvantaging current beneficiaries. 🔎 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞? bit.ly/4dWkt56
On 26 May, REUNIR & CRoLEV, UCLan Cyprus co-hosted a policy panel at the EU House in Nicosia: "Towards an Enlarged EU: How to Uphold Democracy and the Rule of Law?" — on the occasion of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. 🇪🇺 @horizoneu.bsky.social @stevenblockmans.bsky.social @ceps.eu
Missed the launch of the new Niinistö report? Watch it on youtu.be/oBfM1vOf0JQ @ceps.eu @rusi.bsky.social @clingendael.bsky.social
More Europe in defence – Three pathways
YouTube video by CEPS Think Tank
youtu.be
🚨 Event Announcement! 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐔: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐚𝐰? 📅 Tuesday, 26 May 🕠 Doors open: 17:30 | Event: 18:00 – 19:30 📍 EU House, Nicosia, Cyprus Registration: tinyurl.com/nhbyufx3 Details: tinyurl.com/894scbnj @horizoneu.bsky.social @ceps.eu
New podcast episode! Madalina Dobrescu speaks with Jelena Pejic Nikic, senior researcher at the @bezbednost.bsky.social, about external threats to socioeconomic stability in the Western Balkans 🎙️ Spotify channel: tinyurl.com/4ds6htdu 🌐 REUNIR Website: tinyurl.com/4dhthbwn @horizoneu.bsky.social
Insightful overview of the future developments of European defence by President Sauli Niinistö & @ceps.eu. All the possible options: more European NATO, new European intergovernmental treaty on defence, European Defence Union & European Security Council, etc. 1/2🧵 www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...
More Europe in defence – three pathways – CEPS
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and destabilising actions by the second Trump administration have sent geopolitics into a tailspin. As turmoil in the
ceps.eu
#Blog If America Wants KFOR Out, the EU Must Be Ready to Step In Tony Lawrence @icds-tallinn.bsky.social Ending #KFOR would deepen doubts about U.S. reliability & the EU would have to take over to maintain regional stability & prove its own security commitments Read here tinyurl.com/4rpbwc2c
#REUNIR Panel at the @ceps.eu Ideas Lab! On March 2, 50+ policymakers, diplomats and experts gathered for a high-level debate on Europe’s security architecture and the future of #EUenlargement 🌐 Read the news on our website tinyurl.com/4wkfwykp @horizoneu.bsky.social @stevenblockmans.bsky.social
Great discussion on European Security Council and future of European defence at #CEPSLab2026 w President Sauli Niinistö, who leads special @ceps.eu Task Force on the European pillar for NATO. Glad to see we have similar views on most of the ideas!
In recent years, security and defence have become key EU policy priorities. At #CEPSLab2026, our second plenary will explore the future of EU security. Our speakers will discuss a European pillar within #NATO and policy options for long-term stability. Learn more: ideaslab.ceps.eu/plenary-2-wh...
Securing access to #CRMs is crucial for Europe's green transition and competitiveness. At #CEPSLab2026, one of our sessions will examine how the Global Gateway can help secure Europe's access to CRMs. Learn more: ideaslab.ceps.eu/global-gatew...
The EU's engagement in Gaza is passive at best. Little progress has been made at promoting peace or providing humanitarian aid, with huge costs to its reputation. At #CEPSLab2026, we will ask how the EU can meaningfully support peace efforts in Gaza. Learn more: ideaslab.ceps.eu/the-eu-in-ga...
At their first meeting, Trump's Board of Peace recently pledged $7 billion for relief in Gaza. It remains unclear what this will mean for Palestinians. In a #CEPSLab2026 Substack post, James Moran calls on Europe to do more to support the region. Read more ➡️ cepseu.substack.com/p/words-aren...
The European Defence Projects of Common Interest (EDPCIs) marks a decisive step for the EU in strengthening its crisis response and strategic autonomy. A new study offers a framework to ensure EDPCIs' ability to deliver on its promises. Read it here: www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...
🚨Happening Now Future-Proofing EU Enlargement Against Foreign Malign Influence in the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Georgia&Moldova This panel examines different approaches to hybrid threats & malign influences among candidate countries @gppi.bsky.social @bressansar.bsky.social @horizoneu.bsky.social
Really pleased to share my latest analysis, with the excellent Steven Blockmans, on EDPCIs for the @europarl.europa.eu. We look at the what, how and why of EU common defence projects. Timely, we think. Read here: www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud... @stevenblockmans.bsky.social
All eyes are on #Greenland right now – including here at CEPS. Check out our commentaries below: 👉 Grabbing Greenland – and how it would impact NATO and the EU: www.ceps.eu/grabbing-gre... 👉 The EU's on thin ice in Greenland. It really needs to get its messages across: www.ceps.eu/the-eus-on-t...
Last call for our exciting panel event with the Orbis Project happening TOMORROW! Join us to hear from expert speakers on… 🧑💻 The challenges and opportunities of tech in democracies 🇺🇦 Ukrainian refugees' experiences in Europe Sign up NOW: www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/...
For years, Viktor Orbán's grip on the Hungarian political system seemed unshakeable. However, as the country prepares for elections on April 12, this status quo is being challenged. Take a closer look in @juliapocze.bsky.social's new Substack post on the topic: cepseu.substack.com/p/in-hungary...
We are kicking off 2026 with a new #REUNIRPublication! 💡 D3.3 Policy Brief - Investing in Security: A Policy Agenda to Strengthen the EU's Future Members Full publication available here: reunir-horizon.eu/3877-2/ Check our policy recommendations below ⬇️ @horizoneu.bsky.social
✨ 2025, WHAT A YEAR! ✨ The past 12 months have been big for CEPS. From climate and AI to digital policy, migration, and finance, our work continued to inform policymakers on Europe’s most pressing challenges. Check out our 2025 in numbers below ⬇️
#REUNIR: 2025 UNWRAPPED! 🎄 As 2025 draws to a close, we invite you to explore the latest analyses and research from REUNIR 🌐 Read the full newsletter on our website: reunir-horizon.eu/reunir-2025-... Happy Holidays! Warmest Wishes for a Bright 2026! @horizoneu.bsky.social
🚨 REPORT | "Actorness in Different Shades? Comparing EU External Action Across Global Governance Institutions" Drawing on 15 ENSURED case studies, @franziskapetri.bsky.social, @stevenblockmans.bsky.social, Edith Drieskens & @cerenjilan.bsky.social analyse how the EU performs across 5 policy areas.
Actorness in Different Shades? Comparing EU External Action Across Global Governance Institutions - Research Report | ENSURED
How strong an international actor is the EU in a shifting geopolitical landscape? Findings show significant variation in actorness across policy areas and highlight that different forms of EU support ...
ensuredeurope.eu
