After 20 years of bureaucratic delays, the EU-Mercosur deal is taking major steps towards finalisation. In the meantime, China has aggressively filled the void left by European countries in the market, replacing Europe as South America's industrial engine. With opposition mounting from European parties and civil society, we have to ask: Is this still just a ‘simple trade deal’? Or is it a strategic necessity to save Europe from global irrelevance? Read the latest Euroculturer analysis to find out why Europe can’t afford to walk away!
Category: Column
Opinion & editorials.
The opinions voiced in these articles are not representative of the Euroculturer Magazine, nor of its staff, and even less of the Euroculture consortium.
At the 80th UNGA, the European External Action Service highlighted that the EU and its member states are currently the major funding contributors to multilateralism and international aid. When other powers are looking aside and cutting their contributions, one could question why the EU is not following the same path. However, the answer goes beyond protecting values: it is a strategy that benefits Europe. Read the article to find out why maintaining the international multilateral status quo serves the EU’s interests.
Since fall 2024, North Korean troops have been reported fighting in Russia and in Ukraine, signifying both a deepening in Moscow-Pyongyang relationships and a further step in the internationalization of the conflict. The implications of North Korea’s direct participation in the war are far greater than a symbol of the two countries’ friendship. The events leading to and stemming from the sending of troops are multiple and interconnected: from the signature of a mutual defense treaty last June, to Ukraine’s offensive in the Russian region of Kursk in August, to the undetermined fate of North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) currently in Ukraine, the voluntary actions of Pyongyang and Moscow bring us back to a pre-World War II international order and disregard the law of armed conflict. Many consequences of the North Korean participation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine are tied to breaches of international law, but the human repercussions are just as alarming. As we discover through the testimonies of the very few survivors of the North Korean troops found thousands of kilometers away from their country, the dignity of these soldiers, their unlawful transport and presence, as well as the fate of those captured should be part of the debate.
Ultranationalist TikTok star Călin Georgescu unexpectedly won the first round in Romania’s presidential election. The Constitutional Court annulled the presidential election, citing declassified Romanian intelligence documents of severe foreign interference. Amid intense internal conflicts, this incident has drawn sharper attention to how external actors and the digital sphere can destabilize a democracy.
Tbilisi, the heart of Georgia, has become a battleground for the country’s future. In recent days, thousands of citizens have taken to the streets to protest the government’s decision to halt progress on the European Union accession talks. Clashes between demonstrators and police highlight the tensions, with protesters accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of steering the nation away from its Western aspirations and toward a dangerous alignment with Russia. Hence, it’s a fight not just for EU integration, but for the survival of democracy in Georgia.
While the European Union has long been striving for an equality of pay between both sexes, the implementation of directives leaves much to be desired within its member countries. It is thus of interest to delve into a short overview of anti-sexist regulations in the EU.
Delving into past elections in Poland, Bangladesh, India, and Venezuela, this article explores the crucial significance of social media for electoral campaigns. Unsurprisingly, social media is evolving into an essential tool for political parties to reach specific groups of voters, and to counter campaigns of the opposition. Yet, in countries like Bangladesh, they have also turned into a dangerous weapon employed by the ruling party to silence their opposition. Despite the discrepancies of the countries mentioned, social media features like artificial intelligence paired with fake news have the potential to become a universal threat to democracy.
The European Roma Holocaust Memorial Day, on 2 August, was the occasion to commemorate the suffering of the Roma people in Europe during World War II. A ceremony took place at the Council of Europe, allowing for a short time to reflect on what happened – and what should never happen again. Most importantly, the central question is: “How can we prevent the repetition of atrocities?” In most places in Europe, discrimination, violence and segregation are still well in place and directed at minorities, migrants or “unadaptable” communities, reflecting nativist and nationalist attitudes. Roma people fit the target group of these growing xenophobic trends in Europe, with substantial growth in Central and Eastern Europe. This article tries to connect disinformation, misrepresentation and lack of recognition of the Roma minority’s past suffering with the lack of effective measures against their present persecution all around Europe, accepted by some while ignored by most.
In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Ukrainian government has adopted proxy strategies to gain leverage over Russian troops by providing technical support to rebel and terrorist groups attacking Russian military and mercenaries abroad. This tactic is especially evident in regions where Russia is exploiting resources to fund the war with Ukraine. In our latest article, Elidad shares his insights on the impact of Ukraine's proxy strategy, particularly in the Sahel region of Africa, where Wagner troops are stationed. He explores the potential benefits for Ukraine in undermining Russia's financial resources but raises concerns about the escalating conflict in the Sahel, which may become a victim of the Kyiv-Moscow rivalry. For anyone interested in the geopolitical dynamics of the gold and uranium-rich Sahel region and the broader implications of proxy warfare, this article is a must-read.
Have you ever encountered a situation that starkly contrasted with your personal values and upbringing, shaping your judgment of that event? Imagine living outside your home country, where your rights and freedoms are shaped by the prevailing social and cultural norms of the majority. In this article, I explore how cultural perspectives influence laws and rights in Ghana, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ rights. As more African countries proceed to ban LGBTQ+ activities, I examine Ghana's Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, showcasing the profound impact of cultural and social factors on its development. I discuss the bill's background, its current status, and its potential future, using this case to highlight how deeply cultural norms shape the perception and protection of citizens' rights and freedoms.
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