EU cooperates with Tunisia - despite accusations of inhumane treatment of migrants

In July this year, the EU concluded a cooperation agreement with Tunisia with the aim of stopping the large number of African migrants from reaching Europe illegally. The collaboration has been criticized by several different human rights organizations. Photo: Martin Schulz/US Naval Forces Europe-Africa. Source: Flickr.

Of: Mona Adam Abdi

Several human rights organizations have noticed how African migrants are subjected to violence by Tunisian security forces. Reports indicate that migrants forcibly placed and left under difficult conditions in the extreme heat of the Sahara desert - without water and shelter. At the same time, the European Commission has recently concluded a cooperation agreement with Tunisia to put an end to the number of migrants who trying get to Europe.  

November 6, 2023, Development magazine explains

The EU agrees on a migration pact - under the Swedish presidency

Around 180 people sought to cross the sea to Europe in 000, according to the EU. The EU countries have now agreed on a common migration and asylum pact. Photo: islamicreliefusa. Source: Flickr.

Of: Nora Nattorp

In mid-June, one of the worst migration-related accidents ever occurred in Europe when a boat carrying hundreds of refugees sank in the Mediterranean Sea. About two weeks before the incident, negotiations on a new migration and asylum pact within the EU were completed. This pact has been one of the focus areas during Sweden's presidency of the EU Council of Ministers in 2023.

July 12, 2023, Report

Tightened climate policy in the EU puts pressure on Sweden's climate work

The EU is tightening its climate policy and reducing the scope for member states' emissions. At the same time, there are divided opinions about the effects of the Swedish government's climate work. Photo (left): Sara Kurfeß. Source: Unsplash. Photo (right): Maxim Tolchinskiy. Source: Unsplash.

Of: Charlee Salmelin

The EU's tightening climate policy demands that Sweden's climate policy direction be designed so that we reduce our emissions. The government has prioritized climate compensation to achieve the climate goals. But there are divided opinions on whether both the EU's and the government's policies actually lead to better climate effects.

July 12, 2023, Report

More and more countries are building border walls - not stopping migrants

France is one of the countries that has built a border wall to prevent irregular migration and fight terrorism. Pictured: Demonstration against border controls in Calais. Photo: police62. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Vendela Permat's Hammarbäck

Several countries are tightening their border controls and building border walls to reduce the influx of refugees and migrants. France is one of the countries that has built a border wall for this reason. At the same time, a study shows that border walls do not stop migration. 

July 11, 2023, FUF-correspondents, Report

Kristersson (M) touched on migration policy and Ukraine in his party leadership speech

"We have made the EU a little safer, a little greener and a little freer," says Ulf Kristersson about Sweden's presidency of the EU, which has been going on since January 1 this year and is now due to end. Photo: Julia Azzeddine.

Of: Julia Lundén Azzeddine, Karin Myrdal and Charlee Salmelin

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) focused especially on domestic political issues such as crime, integration and poverty in its own right number of party leaders during the Almedal week. The global issues that he affected was, among other things, Sweden's EU presidency with a focus on the ongoing humanitarian crises in the world, migration and the climate. 

June 27, 2023, Almedalen - current

Agreement between the EU and Great Britain to prevent tensions in Northern Ireland

In the spring, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the new 'Windsor Framework', which replaces the former Northern Ireland Protocol. Photo: UK Prime Minister. Source: Flickr.

Of: Amanda Rossling

Britain and the EU agree a framework for Northern Ireland and Ireland, after lengthy discussions on the so-called Northern Ireland Protocol - which was signed when the UK left the EU. The framework will simplify trade in the UK and be a means of avoiding tensions between Northern Ireland and Ireland. 

May 12, 2023, Development magazine explains

Week 18: Several debaters skeptical of Åkesson's criticism of the EU

Jimmie Åkesson (SD) wants to evaluate Sweden's EU membership, which has provoked reactions among debaters on Swedish opinion pages during the past week. Photo: bobsled/Per Pettersson. Source: Flickr.

Of: Cecilia Bergh and Ellinor Berglund

On Tuesday, Aftonbladet published a debate article in which Jimmie Åkesson (SD) writes that there are great reasons to evaluate Sweden's membership in the EU. Since then, this topic has come to dominate debate and editorial pages in several of the media.  

May 8, 2023, Current debate

Climate organizations critical of trade agreements between the EU and Mercosur

One of Sweden's priorities during the EU presidency is to finalize a free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries in South America. But there is concern among climate and human rights organizations that increased trade between the parties will mean more devastation of the Amazon and increased risk of violations of indigenous peoples' rights. Photo: Tom Fish. Source: Pexels.

Of: Ida Eriksson Vanemo

The EU is in the final phase of a free trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur- the countries of South America, after almost 23 years of negotiations. The agreement means reduced tariffs on trade between the countries, but several environmental and human rights organizations have criticized the agreement and believe that it could lead to increased devastation of the Amazon. 

March 21, 2023, Development magazine explains

This is how Orbán's government has restricted press freedom in Hungary

During Viktor Orbán's 13 years in power in Hungary, press and media freedom in the country has been severely restricted. This has provoked reactions and received criticism from the EU. In the picture, Viktor Orbán speaks before his EU parliamentary group, EPP, in 2014. Photo: European People's Party. Source: Flickr.

Of: Nora Nattorp

Viktor Orbán regained the position of Prime Minister of Hungary in 2010. Since then, he has implemented major political changes affecting the democratic rights of the population. Journalists in the country are wiretapped and critical voices are silenced - despite the fact that freedom of speech and the press is part of the country's constitution.  

March 16, 2023, Development magazine explains

You should know this ahead of Sweden's EU presidency

On 1 January 2023, Sweden takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The development magazine helps you figure out what that means. Photo: Christian Lue. Source: Unsplash.

Of: Elianne Kjellman

From 1 January 2023 and six months ahead, the Swedish government takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Some are hopeful and believe that the influential task will mean increased support for Ukraine, while others fear that it will be destructive to the EU's climate policy. The development magazine explains how the presidency works, and some things you should know to keep up with the debate on the subject. 

December 22, 2022, Development magazine explains