The refugee deal of 2015, followed by the opening up of a negotiation chapter, has revitalised the relations between Turkey and the EU; however, there are crucial points to bear in mind for future relations to be sustained.
The EU is accumulating crises without managing to resolve them. Too many for a Europe lacking leadership.
Schengen is the main collective asset that the EU has produced, along with the euro and the common market.
What is Spain’s stance on the negotiations for a new settlement for the UK in the EU prior to a referendum on the issue?
David Cameron emerged with his spoils. He secured a special status in the EU. But he already had that, and things have scarcely changed
How is the new European Commission, led by Jean-Claude Juncker, facing up to the numerous crises that are besetting the EU?
The effect of the Juncker Commission's initiative in the face of Poland's retrograde step towards illiberalism remains to be seen.
Located in a difficult zone of conflict and power struggles between multiple players, Turkey is experiencing some hard times. Difficulties regarding its foreign policy are currently coupled with turmoil in its domestic politics, rising conflict and threats against democracy.
The two upstart parties, the centrist Ciudadanos (‘Citizens’) and the anti-austerity Podemos (‘We Can’), broke the hegemony of the conservative Popular Party (PP) and the centre-left Socialists (PSOE), the two mainstream parties that have alternated in power since 1982.
What can we expect the day after the general elections in Spain? After the 20D we will see whether Spain’s democracy is fit for multiparty, consensus-based, and perhaps even coalition governments.
Turkey and the EU struck a bargain under which the country whose European Union accession process has virtually ground to a halt will stem migrant flows to Europe in return for €3 billion in aid, fast-tracked visa privileges and the prospect of revived EU talks.
David Cameron has presented claims to the EU that are pragmatic, reasonable and in line with reality, certainly de facto although perhaps not de jure.