End the turtle race
How the EU can address the crisis of the accession process
North Macedonia has been blocked on its accession path for more than a decade. It is no outlier. All Western Balkan states are stuck. Their accession process resembles a bus without wheels, with North Macedonia discussing conditions for moving up a row of seats inside a vehicle going nowhere. It is time for the EU to enhance the process by offering all European democracies membership in the European Single Market as a credible interim goal.
North Macedonia has been blocked on its accession path for more than a decade. It is no outlier. All Western Balkan states are stuck. Their accession process resembles a bus without wheels, with North Macedonia discussing conditions for moving up…
The face of a hundred-years old turtle. Photo: reddit / massimo_bragiWhat to doLatest reports and media reactions
Why Russia had to be expelled from the Council of Europe
Europe’s club of democracies needs to protect itself from countries blatantly violating its rules
The Council of Europe has to protect itself from the subversive influence of member states who openly disrespect the most fundamental principles of the Council of Europe, invade a fellow member state, committing massive war-crimes, while suppressing the human rights of its own citizens. The decision to expulse Russia, for which ESI has intensively advocated for, was the only viable option, setting the basis for a strengthened Council of Europe to emerge in the future.
The Council of Europe has to protect itself from the subversive influence of member states who openly disrespect the most fundamental principles of the Council of Europe, invade a fellow member state, committing massive war-crimes, while…
Photo: Press service of Simonovsky District CourtWhat to doLatest reports and media reactions
Offer the four freedoms to the Balkans, Ukraine, and Moldova
For a merit-based EU accession process with a credible goal
The EU should offer membership in the Single Market, including the four freedoms, as a credible and reachable interim goal to Ukraine, Moldova, and any of the six Western Balkan nations interested in it.
The EU should offer membership in the Single Market, including the four freedoms, as a credible and reachable interim goal to Ukraine, Moldova, and any of the six Western Balkan nations interested in it.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Zelensky, 8 April 2022. Photo: Twitter / Ursula von der LeyenWhat to doLatest reports and media reactions
An airlift 2022 for Ukrainians
And a European plan to help refugees in Moldova
Europe has not yet understood that Ukrainian refugees are part of Putin's plan of attack. What an answer to the millions of refugees could look like.
Europe has not yet understood that Ukrainian refugees are part of Putin's plan of attack. What an answer to the millions of refugees could look like.
Ukrainian refugee children in Lviv, Ukraine on 5 March 2022. Photo: REUTERS / KAI PFAFFENBACH - stock.adobe.comWhat to doLatest reports and media reactions
47 again? Russia out, Kosovo in
Support Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe
Kosovo’s application to become a member of Europe’s oldest Human Rights organisation is a moment of truth for many European countries which have long claimed to support Kosovo’s European aspirations.
Kosovo’s application to become a member of Europe’s oldest Human Rights organisation is a moment of truth for many European countries which have long claimed to support Kosovo’s European aspirations.
Human Rights monument in front of the Council of Europe building in Strasbourg. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / EPeiWhat to doLatest reports and media reactions
Caviar Diplomacy
Why every European should care
Azerbaijan’s “Caviar Diplomacy” of systematic bribing to downplay Azerbaijan’s human rights record has led to investigations and convictions in several EU member states. So far, however, the main culprit has escaped unscathed. It is time that the Committee of Ministers investigate Azerbaijan’s role in the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the Council of Europe.
Azerbaijan’s “Caviar Diplomacy” of systematic bribing to downplay Azerbaijan’s human rights record has led to investigations and convictions in several EU member states. So far, however, the main culprit has escaped unscathed. It is time that the…
Caviar. Photo: flickr/Marco Verch Professional PhotographerWhat to doLatest reports and media reactions
New presentations
ESI proposals presented in video format
Watch videos explaining our most recent proposals.
Watch videos explaining our most recent proposals.
Ukraine's application for EU membership. Photo: Office of the President of UkraineWhat to do