NEW GERMAN GOVERNMENT

1. Abkhazia: Republic of Abkhazia and Georgia
2. Aegean dispute, Imia/Kardak: Greece and Turkey
3. Artsyashen exclave of Gegharkunik province, de jure part of Armenia; Karki exclave of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic, Yukhari Askipara and Barkhudarli both exclaves of Qazakh Rayon de jure part of Azerbaijan; Yuradullu is controlled by Azerbaijan along with occupying the much marger de jure Armenian territory surrounding it: Armenia and Azerbaijan

Author: Anatol Lieven a senior research fellow on Russia and Europe at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.

Since 2014 the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €17 billion in grants and loans to support reforms in Ukraine. But grand corruption and state capture are still widespread in Ukraine despite EU action. Despite varied support the EU has offered to Ukraine, oligarchs and vested interests continue to undermine the rule of law in Ukraine and to threaten the country’s development.

In late drafts of the new pact, France and Italy committed to coordinate in a true laundry list of areas. The zones for partnerships include security, defense, European affairs, migration, industry, strategic sectors (including 5G, AI and the cloud), justice, venture capital in start-ups and innovative businesses, macroeconomics, culture and youth. The treaty could include a common commitment to develop the space launchers Ariane 6 and Vega-C.

ABB: Simas Gerdvila is joining the EU government relations office at engineering giant ABB. 

Annalena Baerbock was one of the Greens’ leading foreign-policy voices: staunchly pro-European, tougher on big authoritarian powers, and focused on human rights and climate issues, yet keen to strike a pragmatic tone on issues such as NATO and military spending. Here below her views on key issues:

Trans-Atlantic Relationship

1. BMW Group: Goal of at least 50 percent of sales to be electrified by 2030. BMW subsidiary Mini is on track to become fully electric by the beginning of the coming decade.
2. Daimler (Mercedes Benz): Full electric version of every car from 2025
3. Ford: By 2030 all passenger vehicles sold in Europe will be all electric. Two thirds of commercial vehicles will be either electric or hybrids by 2030
4. Honda: Honda has committed to selling only electric or hybrid vehicles in Europe by 2022

Scholz's centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), the ecologist Greens and the libertarian Free Democrats (FDP) want to accelerate the transition to a green economy and digitalisation while maintaining fiscal discipline.

The European branch of the World Health Organization warns that up to  700,000 more may die from Covid-19 by March 22 in Europe and Central Asia in addition to the 1.5 million who have already succumbed to the virus. Europe is by far the region currently worst hit by the virus.

The WHO said it expected "high or extreme stress" in intensive care units (ICUs) in 49 out of the 53 countries that comprise its European region this winter.