Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi held talks with senior European Union officials in Amman, Jordan on strengthening relations between Jordan and the EU. The discussions focused on finalizing a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement that would enhance economic, investment, trade, defense, and security cooperation. Safadi met with European Council President Antonio Costa, who commended King Abdullah's leadership in resolving regional crises and achieving peace. The talks also covered regional developments, including efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the situation in Syria. Safadi discussed ways to deepen Jordan-EU cooperation on regional challenges and shared concerns with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. He also met with European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič and Chair of EU Political and Security Committee Delphine Pronk, emphasizing the need to end Israeli aggression in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid.
https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/safadi-holds-talks-eu-senior-officials-bilateral-relations-gaza-syriaSerbia has taken delivery of Chinese-made FK-3 air defense systems, marking a significant expansion of Beijing's presence in the Balkan country. The system, an export variant of China's HQ-22 surface-to-air missile system, can target aircraft and missiles flying at speeds up to 1,000m/s over distances of up to 100 kilometers. This deal was initially signed with China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation (CASIC) in 2020, despite warnings from the US that it could jeopardize Serbia's bid to join the European Union. The purchase is part of a broader trend of Serbia seeking military equipment from both Russia and China while also maintaining ties with Western countries such as France.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/01/09/serbia-completes-fielding-of-chinese-air-defense-system/The Danish government has downplayed concerns about the potential for a US military base in Greenland, following criticism from the European Union over President Donald Trump's plans to build one. The EU had expressed concern that such a base could undermine NATO and create a new Cold War-era rivalry between the US and Russia.
https://www.euobserver.com/green-economy/ar258d652bThe European Union has launched several probes into Chinese companies under its Foreign Subsidy Regulation (FSR), citing concerns that Beijing's state support is unfairly undercutting European businesses. The measures have damaged the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises in the EU market and hindered the development of European national economies, according to a statement from Brussels. One probe targets a subsidiary of CRRC, China's rail giant, which withdrew from a tender in Bulgaria after being investigated. Another probe focuses on Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers seeking to build a photovoltaic park in Romania with European funding. The EU has also imposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars and brandy imported from the EU, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own measures. Meanwhile, a report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China warns that multinationals are being forced to localize their operations in China due to regulatory requirements, driving up costs and reducing efficiency.
https://www.voanews.com/a/beijing-says-eu-imposed-unfair-trade-barriers-on-chinese-firms/7930784.htmlThe European Union has launched an investigation into two Chinese companies under the Foreign Subsidy Regulation (FSR), citing concerns that their measures have damaged the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises and hindered the development of European national economies. The probes target a subsidiary of CRRC, China's state-owned rail giant, which withdrew from a tender in Bulgaria to supply electric trains, and Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers seeking to build a photovoltaic park in Romania with funding from European funds.
https://channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/beijing-eu-imposed-unfair-trade-barriers-chinese-firms-4847556European Union officials are prepared to take on a leadership role if the United States is unwilling, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. He emphasized that it's not in America's interest for Russia to become the dominant global force, suggesting that the EU may step up to fill any potential power vacuum.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ready-take-lead-ukraine-if-us-no-longer-willing-says-kaja-kallas/Armenia's bid to join the European Union has been met with skepticism by Russia, which is Armenia's largest economic partner and hosts a military base in the country. Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan announced his intention to pursue EU membership, but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed doubts about Armenia's ability to join both the EU and the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union, citing Turkey's decades-long unsuccessful bid as an example.
https://www.politico.eu/article/armenia-floats-eu-referendum-amid-split-with-russia/Peter Magyar, the leader of Hungary's centre-right Tisza Party, has announced that if he wins the elections due in early 2026, he will maintain Hungary's membership in the European Union and NATO while seeking "pragmatic relations" with Russia. Magyar aims to unlock billions of euros in frozen EU funds by taking steps to curb corruption and joining the European Union prosecutor's office, a move rejected by Budapest's nationalist government led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Magyar has criticized Orban's close ties with Russia and his opposition to military aid for Ukraine, while also expressing concerns about Hungary's reliance on Russian gas and crude imports. He plans to adopt a similar approach towards China, negotiating "pragmatically" over the Paks nuclear project and foreign direct investments in the country.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/viktor-orbans-challenger-sees-strong-eu-nato-ties-pragmatic-approach-russia-4847971Poland's election campaign is set to coincide with its six-month presidency of the European Union, during which it will focus on strengthening Europe's defense capabilities. This issue has garnered bipartisan support from Poland's various political parties, as a NATO member country.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40341771/poland-to-hold-presidential-vote-on-may-18