Eurotopics.net

On Monday the EU Commission is discussing sanctions against Turkey because it has sent three ships to drill for natural gas reserves in Cypriotic waters. Under pressure from EU member Cyprus, the EU might cut back aid and loans for Turkey. The media in Cyprus is not very hopeful that the EU will take decisive action against Turkey.

Tensions between Iran and the West have been further aggravated by a new incident in the Persian Gulf. According to the government in London, three Iranian ships tried to seize a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran denies the allegations. While some commentators warn against further escalation, others consider whether the EU should back Trump.

Weeks of debate about the distribution of posts, no common position on migration after years of controversy, and the looming prospect of Brexit: these are just some of the problems the EU is currently grappling with. But not all commentators see the European project as having failed in the face of these conflicts. As the new parliamentary term begins they make suggestions for how to improve cooperation.

The coma patient Vincent Lambert, who was left in a vegetative state after a motorcycle accident, has passed away. Following a ruling by the Supreme Court, doctors at the university hospital in Reims stopped providing artificial feeding just over a week ago. The controversy over life support for Lambert kept French courts occupied for years and divided not only his family, but all of France.

During her inaugural visit to neighbouring Hungary, the Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová called on the Visegrád states to support the values of the EU and to respect the rule of law. The Slovak media are full of praise.