Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party of Korea (DP) was sworn in as South Korea’s new president on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, following a snap election. Official results showed Lee winning by nearly three million votes (9% of the total votes) ahead of his main opponent, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP).
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.
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?
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.
The 21st EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Council meeting held on 14 October 2024 in Luxembourg highlighted the rapidly accelerating cooperation between the European Union and Kazakhstan. As both sides are facing the challenges of navigating global trade, security and governance shifts, their cooperation has rapidly expanded across a range of strategic areas in recent years. As a result, the meeting in Luxembourg addressed key topics such as economic cooperation and the rule of law, while also highlighting their mutual interest in developing sustainable infrastructure through initiatives like the Global Gateway.
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.
With the announcement of Fumio Kishida’s leadership coming to an end after his resignation in August 2024, a sense of shifting political powers emerged in Japan. Kishida served as Japan’s Prime Minister (PM) between 2021 and 2024, leading the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The end of the Kishida administration aimed to bring a fresh start for Japan, leaving room for his successor Shigeru Ishiba to be appointed LDP leader, becoming the new PM on 1 October 2024. Soon after coming into office he called for a snap general election, which was held on 27 October 2024. With the result of the election leading to a political impasse and looming uncertainty, what can be expected of Japan’s political developments and the future of EU-Japan relations?
Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and the urgent need to reduce dependency on the Russian energy sector, the EU has intensified the diversification of its fossil fuel imports and expanded renewable energy sources in line with the REPowerEU plan to enhance overall energy security. A key aspect of this strategy has been increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from the United States, Norway, and North Africa. However, the need for diversified energy sources persists. The Greater Caspian Region, in particular, offers substantial potential for rapidly boosting exports within a short timeframe. To fully capitalise on the opportunities in the Greater Caspian Region, European companies and governments should navigate a complex landscape of geopolitical dynamics and infrastructural commitments. Balancing the urgent need for energy security with the long-term goals of sustainable development will be crucial for the success of these endeavours.