The EU-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement negotiations represent the need for a fundamental balance between economic pragmatism and environmental responsibility. This exemplifies the broader challenges of global trade in the 21st century, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) bearing a major part of the disproportionate burden created by these contradictory demands.
Recent geopolitical upheavals, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and the escalating Houthi threat in the Red Sea, have reignited interest in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the ‘Middle Corridor.’ The corridor puts the Caspian Sea and Greater Caspian Region at the centre of transcontinental transport links by offering an alternative to the longer and politically compromised New Eurasian Land Bridge (NELB) or ‘Northern Corridor’ that crosses Russia. This new multimodal ‘Middle’ corridor connects China and Europe by traversing China, Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the South Caucasus and the Black Sea before reaching the EU in just 15 days. Beyond offering strategic diversification away from Russia and traditional sea routes, the TITR enables the Central Asian and South Caucasus states to foster economic growth and regional development to create robust and efficient logistical networks.
Does the scaling up of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s Critical Raw Material (CRM) production align with the EU’s green and digital transition ambitions? In the vast steppes of Kazakhstan and the mineral-rich mountains of Uzbekistan, a transformation is underway that could also reshape Europe’s green transition. These Central Asian nations, long known for their oil and gas exports, are emerging as potential key suppliers of critical raw materials essential for the European Union’s strategic autonomy goal of diversification, as well as its innovation, digital and environmental ambitions. But can these countries truly align with Europe’s ambitious sustainability goals?
Chinese greenfield investments in Europe are on the rise, reshaping the landscape of foreign direct investment. Instead of mergers and acquisitions, Chinese companies are increasingly setting up new operations, particularly in Hungary and Serbia. This shift is driven by factors like the EU’s tighter investment screening and China’s strategic focus on long-term market presence. Greenfield investments, especially in sectors like electric vehicles and renewable energy, offer Chinese firms fewer political hurdles, while supporting local economies. How are these investments shaping EU-China relations and offering new opportunities and challenges for European policies?
The development of railway infrastructure in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan is crucial for maximising the potential of the Trans-Caspian International Trade Route (TITR) or Middle Corridor, a vital link connecting Europe and Asia. The Caspian Sea ports, which serve as critical transit hubs, rely heavily on the efficiency and modernisation of rail networks in these countries to enable a smoother and more efficient transit of goods across the region and beyond. Railways offer the most effective means of linking these landlocked nations to ports and markets beyond their borders. However, the conditions of their railroad networks highlight significant development disparities.
From 22 to 24 October 2024, the sixteenth BRICS summit was held in Kazan, Russia. During this event, the initial members of the organisation (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) were joined by Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking the launch of BRICS+. Just a few weeks later, Indonesia, the most populated country in Southeast Asia, also joined the expanding group.
In May 2024, Narendra Modi was re-elected Indian Prime Minister (PM), winning a third term. In doing so, Modi ensured the continuity of his political programme, including a commitment to forge a closer relationship with the European Union (EU). The combination of India’s General Election result with the June 2024 European election has created a momentum for the two partners to reassess their bilateral relations. Weighing in on this dynamic, the EU and its Member States have been encouraging India’s engagement to push the development of its infrastructure network and to address social and human rights concerns.
President Yoon Suk-Yeol sent the Republic of Korea into political turmoil in early December 2024 by declaring martial law, citing the need to “wipe out anti-state forces,” only to withdraw it again several hours later. Since then, the country has been sent into uncertainty. While impeachment proceedings have been set in motion, these recent developments have severely impacted the country’s domestic governance, as well as its ability to participate in global politics. What are likely avenues for South Korea to overcome this political unrest and what does it mean for EU-South Korea relations?
On Wednesday, 18 December 2024, EIAS hosted a closed-door roundtable discussion with H.E Fei Shengchao, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Belgium and distinguished experts and academics to discuss “China’s Relations with Belgium in view of shifting geopolitical dynamics in the EU and around the world.” The discussion was held under the Chatham House Rule. Introducing the ABC of Sino-Belgian relations, the focus of the discussion was directed at A) America-China relations being at the core of global politics; B) Belgium and Brussels serving as a hub in Europe connecting East and West; C) China and Change; D) the Draghi report, development, growth and competitiveness; and E) the European Union as a key actor, commemorating 50 years of EU-China relations in 2025.