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Steven Blockmans

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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

ceps-fp.bsky.social
One more of our trusted partners falls victim to the Georgian Dream’s increasing repression. As an independent policy research institution sharing GIP’s democratic values, @ceps.eu stands with its Georgian colleagues

civil.ge/archives/703...
GIP, Georgia’s Key Think Tank, Halts Work Citing Repression, Loss of Mission - Civil Georgia
The Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP), a leading Tbilisi-based think tank established in 2011, an
civil.ge
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by Steven Blockmans

stevenblockmans.bsky.social
With references to my recent @ceps.eu policy brief with Michael Emerson on how to radically simplify and streamline the EU enlargement process

👉 www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...
grimmse.bsky.social
Oliver Grimm @grimmse.bsky.social · 7d
Die EU (minus Orbán) will sich von Orbán nicht länger bei den Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Ukraine bremsen lassen. Es gibt einen Plan, ihn zu umgehen. Mehr dazu hier auf @diepressecom.bsky.social. www.diepresse.com/20152956/bru...
Brüssel will Orbán bei Ukraine ausbremsen
Vor dem EU-Gipfeltreffen in Kopenhagen mehren sich die Ideen, wie Ungarns Veto gegen die ukrainischen Beitrittsverhandlungen neutralisiert werden könnte.
www.diepresse.com
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

icds-tallinn.bsky.social
The ability to manage and resolve disputes is not merely a technical requirement for EU enlargement but increasingly a strategic necessity in a more conflicted geopolitical environment.

📄 New report by Steven Blockmans and Butrint Berisha.

@stevenblockmans.bsky.social @butrintberisha.bsky.social
From Stalemate to Solution: Rethinking EU Approaches to Bilateral Disputes in the Context of Enlargement - ICDS
Although Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has given new momentum to the European Union’s enlargement process, further progress is being hindered by unresolved bilateral disputes.
icds.ee
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

grimmse.bsky.social
Die EU (minus Orbán) will sich von Orbán nicht länger bei den Beitrittsverhandlungen mit der Ukraine bremsen lassen. Es gibt einen Plan, ihn zu umgehen. Mehr dazu hier auf @diepressecom.bsky.social. www.diepresse.com/20152956/bru...
Brüssel will Orbán bei Ukraine ausbremsen
Vor dem EU-Gipfeltreffen in Kopenhagen mehren sich die Ideen, wie Ungarns Veto gegen die ukrainischen Beitrittsverhandlungen neutralisiert werden könnte.
www.diepresse.com
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by Steven Blockmans

stevenblockmans.bsky.social
VDL has promised to widen the ‘simplification’ agenda to other policy areas. With various forms of ‘gradual integration’, her Commission has gone the opposite way, adding administrative burden to an already long and cumbersome process.

Here’s a proposal to radically simplify EU enlargement 👇
ceps.eu
CEPS @ceps.eu · 14d
While the 🇪🇺 enlargement process has seen the implementation of a new ‘gradual integration’ concept, these developments have left the core formal accession procedure unchanged.

Here's what Michael Emerson & @stevenblockmans.bsky.social propose to simplify and streamline accession 👉 bit.ly/46lz5r0
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans, Hylke Dijkstra

ensured.bsky.social
Can international organisations be both effective and robust — or must one always come at the expense of the other?

Read about the trade-offs IOs must navigate to deliver results while remaining resilient to existential challenges: www.ensuredeurope.eu/publications
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

ceps.eu
While the 🇪🇺 enlargement process has seen the implementation of a new ‘gradual integration’ concept, these developments have left the core formal accession procedure unchanged.

Here's what Michael Emerson & @stevenblockmans.bsky.social propose to simplify and streamline accession 👉 bit.ly/46lz5r0
1 1

Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

reunir.bsky.social
#REUNIRBlog

🇲🇩 In a new op-ed, Iulian Groza (IPRE - Institutul pentru Politici și Reforme Europene) highlights how civil society, independent media, and state institutions are working together to safeguard democratic integrity.

👉 Read more: reunir-horizon.eu/op-ed-moldov...

@horizoneu.bsky.social
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by Steven Blockmans

stevenblockmans.bsky.social
Noting that Von der Leyen’s drive to simplify EU regulations and governance is an open-ended commitment, Michael Emerson and I advocate that the Commission takes up the enlargement process as a next case of application. Via @ceps.eu

www.ceps.eu/ceps-publica...
How to radically simplify and streamline the EU enlargement process – CEPS
Over the last year the EU’s enlargement process has seen the implementation of a new ‘gradual integration’ concept, allowing for some modest elements of single
www.ceps.eu
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

ceps.eu
📢 We are launching a new Task Force on a European Pillar within NATO with @rusi.bsky.social, Clingendael and the Institute for European Policymaking of Bocconi University.

It will bring together experts to define practical steps for strengthening Europe’s defence readiness.

👉 bit.ly/4mGWJnr
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

ceps.eu
Caught between an aggressive Russia and a disengaging US, Europe is ramping up its defence spending. But is it enough to deter Russia? Does the EU need new competences to turbocharge defence procurement & build a stronger defence industry?

📅 Join us on Wednesday to discuss it! bit.ly/4g3GyOC
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

icds-tallinn.bsky.social
"Enlargement must be a reward for sustained reform, not an instrument of short-term political engineering."

Pushing Moldova’s EU bid before September’s election is understandable, but decoupling it from Ukraine would be a mistake, argues Steven Blockmans.

@stevenblockmans.bsky.social
Moldova Should Not Be Decoupled from Ukraine in EU Accession - ICDS
Member states are currently considering putting Moldova ahead of Ukraine on the track to join the European Union. While the desire to secure Moldova’s EU trajectory ahead of parliamentary elections at...
icds.ee
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

sieps.bsky.social
Russia’s war against Ukraine has transformed the security situation in Europe. One consequence is that EU enlargement is once again a top priority.

In a new SIEPS publication, leading experts discuss what it takes to achieve peace, security and stability in Europe by enlarging the EU.
Perspectives on enlargement and reform of the EU: Fit for 35
Eight leading experts discuss how to achieve peace, security and stability in Europe by enlarging the EU.
sieps.se
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by Steven Blockmans

stevenblockmans.bsky.social
Psychologically, will this forced appeasement finally push Europe to take itself seriously as a geopolitical power, or will it instead entrench European division and dependence? The signs are not very promising.

on.ft.com/4l7amea
Europe’s summer of humiliation
America knew the EU was weak. The rest of the world knows it now
on.ft.com
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

ceps.eu
"We need to urgently narrow Putin’s options so that he doesn’t see ceasefire negotiations as a way to continue the war by cheaper diplomatic means."

🇪🇺 Steven Blockmans explores Europe’s role in securing a just peace in Ukraine.

READ IT HERE 👉 bit.ly/3E2qfCz
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

icds-tallinn.bsky.social
"The European Union needs to change and it needs to change fast," stated Conference Director Steven Blockmans in his opening speech. @stevenblockmans.bsky.social

#EUECTallinn2025
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

icds-tallinn.bsky.social
Panel I: Keeping momentum #EUECTallinn2025

- Gert Jan Koopman, European Commission
- Megi Fino, Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania
- Rodica Crudu, European Integration of Moldova
- @vseviov.bsky.social, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

Moderator: @stevenblockmans.bsky.social
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans, Christian Delporte, Clifford Stott

kyivindependent.com
⚡️US threatens to shut off Starlink if Ukraine won't sign minerals deal, sources tell Reuters.

The U.S. first raised the prospect of shutting off Starlink after Zelensky rejected the deal presented on Feb. 12. Starlink terminals are critical in securing Ukraine's battlefield communications.
US threatens to shut off Starlink if Ukraine won't sign minerals deal, sources tell Reuters
The U.S. first raised the prospect of shutting off Starlink service after Zelensky rejected the deal presented on Feb. 12. Starlink terminals are critical in securing Ukraine's battlefield communicati...
kyivindependent.com
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

reunir.bsky.social
#REUNIR Guest Policy Paper

“Public support for EU enlargement and Russia’s War on Ukraine: How to sustain the uneasy momentum?”

This policy brief examines trends in EU public opinion on enlargement following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine

Read here: tinyurl.com/2bs354ut
@horizoneu.bsky.social
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

maxbergmann.bsky.social
Member states and national MODs will hate to hear this but... the vehicle to do this is almost certainly the European Union. Simply take the existing military structure and make it a no-shit European military HQ/Command.

But, but, but, but... what about UK and Norway? 8/
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

youranoncentral.bsky.social
"Our nuclear deterrent is self-sufficient, French from start to finish. Ever since 64 it has helped keep Europe safe and peaceful. However, after Merz's historic call, I have decided to open up discussion on using it to protect our allies throughout Europe." — Macron. #StandWithUkraine #EuropeanArmy
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

reunir.bsky.social
📣Happening today in Podgorica!

Wednesday, 19 March 2025
18:00, Ceremonial Hall
Rectorate of the University of Montenegro

Join the discussion organised by INS @Univerzitet_CG which will host REUNIR members @fbieber.bsky.social, Maksym Yakovlyev & @steven.blockmans.bsky.social @ceps.eu as speakers.
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

reunir.bsky.social
📢 Upcoming Event by @ceps.eu

"Civic Mobilisation in the EU Candidate Countries – Georgia and Serbia"

🗓Date: 01 Apr 2025/ 13:00-14:30 (CET)
📍Location: CEPS, Place du Congrès 1, Brussels

✍ Registration & details: www.ceps.eu/ceps-events/...

@horizoneu.bsky.social @tinatinakhvlediani.bsky.social
Civic mobilisation in the EU candidate countries: Georgia and Serbia - CEPS
For months, Georgia and Serbia – both EU candidate countries – have seen waves of civic demonstrations. What’s fuelling these protests? How have they evolved, and how has the EU responded? This event will bring together experts and policymakers to discuss the dynamics of civic mobilisation in both countries and its broader impact on the
www.ceps.eu
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

ocmedia.bsky.social
The ruling Georgian Dream party has begun to consider an amendment to the Law on Grants, which would include a new article regulating the procedure for issuing grants by foreign donors.

oc-media.org/georgian-dre...
Georgian Dream initiates new legislation to regulate the issuing of grants by foreign donors
Georgian Dream and its satellites have long criticised foreign donors for supporting civil society and media.
oc-media.org
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

reunir.bsky.social
Thirty Years After Dayton: 🇧🇦's Crisis Is Not Just Ethnic—It is Democratic

Dr. Mirza Buljubašić

Ethnic vetoes, fragmented institutions, & nationalist narratives have turned Dayton from a peace framework into a barrier to democratic progress

Read here: tinyurl.com/bdhc2852

@horizoneu.bsky.social

Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

icds-tallinn.bsky.social
In today’s fragmenting world, operationalising flexible cooperation in security and defence is best served by creating formal structures and following agreed procedures.

@stevenblockmans.bsky.social sees the first EU-UK Summit as a chance to rebuild trust and move beyond the legacy of Brexit.
Back to the Future: Blueprint for an EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership - ICDS
The prospects for the first-ever UK-EU Summit are positive. Russia’s continuing aggression in Ukraine and the new uncertainties in transatlantic relations have created an unprecedented opportunity to ...
icds.ee
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

jpuglierin.bsky.social
Already my favorite moment at the #lennartmericonference: the Estonian foreign minister just offered some advice on „government efficiency“ to the US NATO ambassador.
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

ceps.eu
🇪🇺🤝 How can Europe move from fragmented national spending to a truly common defence capability?

@stevenblockmans.bsky.social analyses eight governance models to conclude how Europe can strengthen its strategic autonomy and effectively deter malevolent great powers.

READ HERE 👉 bit.ly/46djJoy
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by Steven Blockmans

stevenblockmans.bsky.social
More powerful than the previous open letter, these fmr EUDs are not mincing their words:

Silence and neutrality in the face of genocide constitute complicity. Inaction emboldens perpetrators and betrays every principle the Union and its member states claim to uphold.

euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Open letter from 34 ex-EU ambassadors: 'Act now against Israel'
An open letter by 34 former European Union ambassadors calling for immediate and effective measures against Israel’s unlawful actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
euobserver.com
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Reposted by: Steven Blockmans

reunir.bsky.social
Madalina Dobrescu, Associate Professor of European Studies at NTNU explores:

❓ What are the key challenges & opportunities for the EU in strengthening its engagement with Moldova & broader EN in current geopolitical climate?

Watch here: reunir-horizon.eu/reunir-mid-t...
@horizoneu.bsky.social
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