Foreign relations of the European Union

EU member states have approved changes to the European visa system aimed at increasing security in the Schengen area by providing for greater monitoring of short-stay and residence permits.

Switzerland on May 26 called off years of talks with the European Union aimed at sealing a cooperation agreement with Bern's largest trading partner, in a move which angered Brussels.

The Bulgarian Health Minister Thursday issued an order with new rules for entry in Bulgaria from May 1.

Super-rich Russians, Chinese and Saudis have secured unrestricted access to the EU via a Maltese cash-for-passports scheme that requires them to spend less than three weeks in the country, a leak from a passport brokerage has revealed.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel will visit Turkey on April 6 to hold talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in a bid to revive relations between Ankara and Brussels after last year's tensions.

The EU foreign policy chief on March 30 called for the building of bridges between the bloc and Turkey.

"The EU has a strategic interest in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Turkey," Josep Borrell wrote on his blog dedicated to EU foreign policy.

Turkey welcomes the rhetoric in the memorandum adopted by EU leaders at a virtual summit and sincerely wishes to develop its relations with the bloc on the basis of cooperation and mutual benefit, the country's Foreign Ministry said on March 25. 

European Union leaders will discuss the coronavirus pandemic, vaccine deliveries, and the delicate state of relations with both Turkey and Russia in a virtual two-day summit starting on March 25. 

U.S. President Joe Biden will also attend the meeting to discuss transatlantic cooperation with EU leaders.

Bulgaria participated in the sitting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council that took place here on Tuesday. This country was represented by Ambassador Dimiter Tzantchev, Bulgaria's permanent representative to the EU.

After a long lean spell in terms of EU enlargement, now is the moment to act and put the whole range of EU policies applicable to the region back on the agenda.