Milan Nic @MilanN_inBerlin Twitter profile

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Milan Nic

4 months

📺 You can re-watch our #Balkan Breakfast 🥐☕️ on @YouTube ▶️ Together with @ManuelSarrazin , @MajaEUspox & @seb_maillard , I discussed how to stay the course on 🇪🇺enlargement after the #EP2024 elections 👉

Staying the Course on EU Enlargement After the European Parliament...

In the next EU political cycle, the enlargement process will face new challenges. If, as many forecast, the impending elections result in a rightward shift o...

www.youtube.com

DGAP

@dgapev

4 months

This morning, we are holding a special #BalkanBreakfast on #EU enlargement after the #EP2024 elections. Our @MilanN_inBerlin welcomes panelists @ManuelSarrazin , @MajaEUspox & @seb_maillard to discuss the challenges the enlargement process will face in the next 🇪🇺 political cycle.

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

6 years

Remarkable! As pro-Kremlin #Czech President Zeman won't have any official speech marking the 50th anniv of Soviet-led invasion to Czechoslovakia, public CZ TV will broadcast #Slovakia 's President @Andrej_Kiska speech @florianeder @lionelbarber @nnougayrede @muelherr @dgapev

Newsroom ČT24

@NewsroomCT24

6 years

ČT24 a RTVS zítra souběžně odvysílají projev slovenského prezidenta Andreje Kisky jako připomínku 50 let od vpádu vojsk Varšavské smlouvy do tehdejšího Československa. Proslov slovenské hlavy státu začíná v 19:50.

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Personal news: i’m honored to be appointed as the Head of the Robert Bosch Center for #CEE #Russia & #Eurasia (RBZ) at @dgapev Looking forward to lead excellent team soon to be joined by #AndrasRacz Tks 4 your support @D_Schwarzer @meistefan1

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

#Slovakia update: ▪️ Five weeks ago fmr SK PM bypassed his coalition partners ordering shipments of #SputnikV ▪️ 200k doses delivered then tested by SK Medicine Institute which finds out: Q of #vaccine not identical to those reviewed by @TheLancet 1/2

Sputnik V u nás nie je identický s tým v Lancete. Štátny ústav nemá dosť informácií na to, aby...

Aktualizované o stanovisko ŠÚKL-u o 17.58. Ani po mesiaci nie je jasné, ako bude štát postupovať pri ruskej vakcíne Sputnik V.

dennikn.sk

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

From exchange among @dgapev experts: 1) 🇧🇾🇷🇺 air defense systems are integrated, it cldn’t have been done w/out #Russia approval 2) #Putin ’s #Russia testing a new method of ‘rogue’ action, using Belarus as a testing ground = freedom of air travel at stake @Cluverc @Ce_Moll

Norbert Röttgen

@n_roettgen

3 years

As Chairs of our Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committees we jointly condemn the threat of violence used against a civilian aircraft in the skies over #Belarus . This was an act of piracy, which put the passengers and crew of a civilian plane in grave danger. #Ryanair @TomTugendhat

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

First exit poll in #Slovakia 🇸🇰 showed liberal PS ahead of Fico’s Smer at 23.5% Fico’s potential coalition partner SNS below 5% treshold Given OLANO/Matovic in the next parliament but not acceptable to PS, it looks like a stalemate 🙏🏻

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

🚨Another bombshell in politics of #Slovakia 🇸🇰🫣 President @ZuzanaCaputova seriously considering not to run for re-election in early 2024. According to @dennikN she’ll announce her decision early next week Brief 🧵follows 1/3

Zuzana Čaputová sa vážne zaoberá myšlienkou, že nebude kandidovať

Prezidentka oznámi svoje rozhodnutie začiatkom budúceho týždňa.

dennikn.sk

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Yday, 650km to the east from #MSC23 in Budapest’s fancy Várkert Bazár 🇭🇺 PM #Orb án delivered his grandiose state of the nation speech Quick #Thread 🧵 on what caught my attention as I am reading it - buckle your seats 🎡🔍 1/16

Viktor Orbán Holds State of the Nation Address

We live here and the war is in a country next door. Brusselites have not yet given their lives in this war, but Hungarians have.

hungarytoday.hu

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

💥Few days after #ViktorOrban visited Moscow, #Hungary upping its game over EU's sanctions vs #Russia The sanctions list can only be rolled over by unanimous vote Deadline for renewal: 15 Sept #Thread on why this is not 'business as usual' 1/8 @EditaHrdaEU @SFischer_EU

Rikard Jozwiak

@RikardJozwiak

2 years

#Hungary threatens to block the renewal of the EU sanctioned individuals and entities (1214 ppl / 108 entities) from #Russia if three oligarchs - Alisher Usmanov, Petr Aven, Viktor Rashnikov - aren't de-listed. EU ambs to discuss tomorrow. #Ukraine

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

More details: SK Institute for Drug Control says it can't conclusively asses #SputnikV for a) lack of data from the producer b) inconsistency of medical forms c) not being able to compare vaccine batches w/ various studies R/T @matisaksk

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 months

Some observations on 🇪🇺🗳in 4 CEE countries (fmr known as V4) 🇵🇱 polarisation worked for PM Tusk, 1st win over Kaczynski -> further decline 🇨🇿 warning: populist Babis got 7/21 MEPs, anti-system parties 5 more 🇸🇰 Fico’s ruling party 1st defeat by liberal opposition PS /1

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

Nat'l agency advise: wait for #EMA checks & authorization. Result = stalemate. 🇸🇰 has 200.000 doses ready to distribution, no permission to use it. Reshuffled gov't has to navigate next steps. Perhaps it will offer some to 🇦🇹 @sebastiankurz ?🤔2/2 @swheaton @dgapev @valasekt

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

‼️ Update on post-election #Slovakia 🇸🇰 ▪️I stand to correct myself: not a done deal yet ▪️as #Fico receives mandate to start coalition talks @PellegriniP_ as kingmaker will refuse govt with ultranationalist SNS (10 MPs) ▪️Pelle’s leverage: Fico wld need 24 of his 27 MPs

Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

2/3 Comments on #SlovakiaElection cont’d ▪️failure of exit pollsters? Fico’s voters refused to talk to them ▪️Fico’s path to a coalition govt relies on a deal with Smer’s splinter party Hlas led by @PellegriniP_ ▪️he’ll get an offer: Parl Speaker + run for President next year

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

Seems Moscow is playing smart diplo at multiple levels w tailor-made moves to Reviving N4 makes sense to 1) test how far can 🇩🇪+🇫🇷 pressure Kyiv on Donbass; 2) gives smtg symbolic to Europeans; 3) test their coord w 🇺🇸while weakening US role on Donbass

Sylvie Kauffmann

@SylvieKauffmann

3 years

Elysée source on N4 meeting : "a difficult meeting, which led to a positive result" ( = a joint statement, for the first time in 2 years) and "signals Russian re-engagement" in the N4 process

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Wow, #Poland becoming #Germany 's bigger trading partner than #UK ! Data for 1-5/2019 signal strong growth continues (+6%). It shows how political & econ dimensions of GER-PL rel unbalanced & not sufficiently connected @OlafOsica @plocienniks @JJ52 @D_Schwarzer @ManuelSarrazin

Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.

@OstAusschuss

5 years

Unter den wichtigsten Handelspartnern #Deutschland |s zeichnet sich eine Änderung der Reihenfolge ab: In den ersten fünf Monaten 2019 hat #Polen #Gro ßbritannien überholt. @AHKPolska @BMWi_Bund

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

7 months

New level of provocation/trolling by #Hungary |s 🇭🇺 FM Szijjarto towards his host @JanLipavsky After #V4 FMs meeting in Prague, he met notorious leader of 🇨🇿 radical anti-gov’t protests Jindřich Rajchl Show of support + future investment? HU meddling into next CZ elex started

Filip Harzer

@HarzerF

7 months

Btw, dnes na maďarském velvyslanectví: „Pan ministr si namísto krátkého pozdravu udělal čas na téměř hodinový rozhovor, který byl veden v nesmírně pozitivním a přátelském duchu,“ píše Jindřich Rajchl.

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

7 months

Wow!!! 🚨 Opposition candidate @IvanKorcok set to win the 1st round of Presidential elections in #Slovakia 🇸🇰 (run-off vs @PellegriniP_ on 6 April) Here are preliminary results based on 85% votes counted #VolbyPrezidenta2024

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

Quick comments for @RaphaelMinder on #SlovakiaElections ▪️stunning polit revival for veteran populist who is still entangled in corruption cases ▪️ task for 🇩🇪🇺🇸 now: not to lose 🇸🇰 engage constructively w/ #Fico ▪️managing cracks in 🇪🇺 support for 🇺🇦 as 🇭🇺 no longer alone 👇1/3

Financial Times

@FT

1 year

Robert Fico wins Slovakia election with anti-Ukraine stance

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

Shock to watch 🇸🇰 public TV @rtvs tonight at 7pm ▪️report on foreign media coverage of #SlovakiaElections amplified fake news from Russia Today quoting concerns of ‘RU security services’ that 🇺🇸 will intervene in coalition talks to keep the current govt of technocrats in office

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Oh, just to add: nothing in #Orban ’s big speech on Saturday about why #Hungary 🇭🇺 continues to postpone ratification of #Sweden 🇸🇪 #Finland 🇫🇮 membership in #NATO (as the last country before Turkey) or when it will go to parl agenda @minna_alander @CarolineGruyter @AnnwieAnna

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Good news! 🇨🇿 EU Presidency brokered a deal that allowed 🇭🇺diplomacy to climb down (for now) 3 Russian oligarchs stay in the 🇪🇺 sanctions list but this battle goes on… @CZECHIAinEU @dgapev @panyiszabolcs

Rikard Jozwiak

@RikardJozwiak

2 years

seems like we have a Hungarian U-turn! 🇭🇺 just informed EU ambs that they will agree to extend the sanctions by 6 months but will bring the issue up in working groups and when the next renewal comes in March. #Russia #Ukraine

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 months

🇭🇺 game-changer 👉 huge gains by PM Orbán’s new opponent reshuffles the opposition 👉 weakens PM ahead of HU’s 🇪🇺 Presidency, top appointments, talks with ECR 2nd big humiliation for @PM_ViktorOrban this year (after scandal/President Novak’s) /2

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

@StLiechtenstein @sebastiankurz The first western country, really?? CZ SK introduced these measures last week. Would you call them 'eastern countries'? Time to update terminology #Prague located to the N/west from #Vienna . All 3 EU are members for 15+ years. Old #stereotypes die hard...

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

6 months

Our @dgapev team trip to #Budapest via 🚂 has started. Learning about the upcoming HU 🇪🇺 Presidency ✌️

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Very sad @dgapev breakfast saying farewell to a dear friend & colleague @jana_puglierin - we’ll miss you big time!!!Fortunately, you’re not moving far (across Tiergarten). Wishing you a good start at @ECFRBerlin w/ better ☕️ places around 😉🙋🏼‍♂️

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

2 Finns 🇫🇮 & 2 Slovaks 🇸🇰 in the 5+1 🎗All-Star team at the #2022olympics ice-hockey‼️ Power of small 🇪🇺 nations in 🏒🥅

IIHF

@IIHFHockey

3 years

From All-Star to MVP, Juraj Slafkovsky impressed on and off the ice and joins a star line-up on the All-Star Team. Story: @HockeySlovakia

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

8/ If you follow Orbán's foreign policy, it's a pattern. Not related only to #Russia (more on that in a forth-coming @dgapev paper) Unless political costs driven up, HU will continue free-riding on EU unanimity using it as cheap tool to advance its interests w/ 3rd powers END

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 months

Good evening, Tbilisi! 🇬🇪 Fun fact: few km away, at Freedom Square, a huge crowd is gathering for public celebration with 🇬🇪 national ⚽️ team following its impressive debut performance in @UEFA European Championship in 🇩🇪

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

Proud of my amazing team at @dgapev after admin closing of Robert Bosch-Zentrum for CEE, Russia & Central Asia 🤝Our last newsletter 📃 packed w/ good outputs 💪🏼 Deeply grateful to @BoschStiftung for long-term partnership. Work on our regions continues via other programs 💥 1/2

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

6 months

When you are not good with #selfies but keep trying (with a help of 👨‍🍳) 🤭 #bahnzeit richtung Prag/Praha @OndrejHouska @PavlinaJanebova

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

Meeting long-time friends at #GLOBSEC2023 - the current & former 🇸🇰 Foreign Ministers @MWlachovsky @IvanKorcok

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

Public discourse in #Hungary on #RussianUkrainianWar getting more alien & exotic by the week 🙈 On Friday, @PM_ViktorOrban claimed 🇺🇸 prolongs the war to get access to econ potential of a defeated Russia Today, his Chief of Armed Forces came up w/ another stupidity 🤮👇 1/2

Szabolcs Panyi

@panyiszabolcs

1 year

"Let's think of the Second World War, in 1939 the German-Polish war started as a local war, and what was the end? That escalation was not caught - if I can put it like that - in time by a peace process, and it led to the Second World War," Gábor Böröndi, the new Chief of the

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Honored to host closed-door workshop on EU strategic challenges in #WesternBalkans @dgapev in partnership w/ @ecfr - session 1: stock-taking & main risks in 2020 w/ 🇸🇰 FM @MiroslavLajcak @vtcherneva

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

On my way to the @dgapev office #Berlin #Solidarity w/ #Belarusprotests 🤞✌️

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

6 months

Advatages of @dgapev during ☀️weather ~> beatiful garden & terrace 👌 Earlier today: discussing 🌬 in 🇪🇺 politics with @Shahinvallee 🕶

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

🚨 Get ready for big news from #Czech elections 🍿🎶 After 65% votes counted, 2 opposition blocks SPOLU & PirStan within reach of parl majority❗️They can expect big gains in #Prague (not accounted yet). Final outcome determined by soc-dem CSSD party (remaining below 5%) @dgapev

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

@KleineBrockhoff Dear Thomas, StS Arkadiusz Mularczyk in 🇵🇱 MFA is a PiS party electoral project. The only goal is to squeze anti-🇩🇪 German sentiment to mobilize hard-core voters (and prevent them from leaving to Ziobro, Konf). The q is how to steer 🇩🇪-🇵🇱 relations through 2023 & focus on coop

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

#Thread on 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇷🇴 leaders' visit to #Kyiv 1/ Internal EU context on candidate status for #Ukraine -> bold move! Unanimous decision by EU-27 needed in 1 week, many EU capitals not yet convinced. Finally, strong signal generating polit momentum. Will it be enough?

Hans von der Burchard

@vonderburchard

2 years

Breaking: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz supports granting Ukraine and Moldova EU membership candidate status. "Germany supports a positive decision for Ukraine and also Moldova" by EU leaders, the chancellor said at press conference in Kyiv.

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

😂

Sándor Zsíros

@EuroSandor

3 years

Trending in #Hungary : V4 meeting in Budapest.

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

3/ None of the three RU oligarchs that Orbán wants de-listed from EU sanctions (visa ban, asset freeze) have substantial business in #Hungary These are big🐟for #Putin & his bussiness matters: Usmanov seen as his fixer

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

Great choice by #Moldova president @sandumaiamd to appoint my dear colleague @cgherasimov as foreign policy advisor 👏👏👏 Also a recognition of Cristina’s work at @dgapev since Dec 2018. Big congrats!

DGAP

@dgapev

4 years

So proud our Research Fellow for the 🇪🇺’s #EasternPartnership countries @cgherasimov was appointed Foreign Policy Advisor to #Moldova ’s new president @sandumaiamd ! Cristina, thank you for your great work & achievements. We will miss you & wish you all the best in your new role!

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

Delighted to host Veranika + @ValeryTsepkalo for working breakfast at @dgapev . Important conversation to better understand internal dynamics in #Belarus , among oppositon actors &their plans for #transition Thanks to my team for preparation! @D_Schwarzer @HannaLiubakova

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

6 months

Quick photo with my former director at @dgapev @D_Schwarzer before our panel (note for historians: nice 🇨🇿 was also my former flag before 1993 😉)

Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

6 months

Good morning from the #Prague Castle, conference on the 20. Anniv of 🇪🇺 enlargement with keynote speeches by 🇨🇿 @prezidentpavel & 🇩🇪 Federal President #Steinmeier Thanks a lot @AMO_cz @EUROPEUMPrague @IIR_Prague for inviting me ~> panel of experts on EU #enlargement

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

Honored to take part at an informal @GLOBSEC policy luncheon with the 🇫🇷 President @EmmanuelMacron in my hometown #Bratislava ahead of his speech at #Globsec2023 Thank you @RobertVassGLB @Ambafrance_Sk for invitation!

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Behind the scenes: everything ready to host PM ⁦of my home country 🇸🇰 @eduardheger ⁩ at my home institution in #Berlin ⁦ @dgapev ⁩

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Finally! it’s boarding time in Berlin for flight to Vienna from there to my home town Bratislava! Looking forward to a few days full of insightful conversations at #GLOBSEC2022 ! 🇸🇰🇪🇺✌️ @dgapev

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Serbia’s alligment w EU foreign policy going down the drain. While it continues its EU membership talks. Free-riding w no constraints; expect @vonderleyen COM to introduce (FR idea of) reversibility into accession methodology next week @dgapev

Valerie Hopkins

@VALERIEinNYT

5 years

Serbian minister for Kosovo on his visit last year to Xinjiang: "Ofc there is a huge effort by provincial and Chinese govt to deradicalise certain elements trying to abuse ethnic and religious tensions and using it as an instrument to...weaken China for some cynical reason..."

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

7/ #Coreper will discuss it tomorrow If HU gets its way on de-listing three oligarchs, it's not the end. Rather an entre to a gradual deconstruction of EU sanctions regime on #Russia By following his own interests, Orbán doing Putin's bidding to erode the EU sanctions & unity

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

8 months

We @dgapev are #hiring - 2 very attractive, Berlin-based positions 📣 📌 Senior Research Fellow for 🇪🇺 📌 Project Manager/Junior Fellow for the EU #Enlargement W. #Balkans Deadline for application: 7/11 April 🚩

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Honored to host #Czech @prezidentpavel at @dgapev in between his talks w/ Federal President #Steinmeier & Chnclr @OlafScholz Many thanks for inspiring conversation about #WarInUkraine #Russia #China 🇩🇪 #Zeitenwende 🇨🇿 views on #NATO #V4 & much more Moderated by @NikelRolf

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

Remember the hoopla in #Slovakia about #SputnikV vaccines purchased in March? Last week 🇸🇰 gov’t sold 80% doses back to #Russia (at the same price per dose) due to low interest among its citizens @dgapev @jakluge @swheaton

Slovakia sells most Sputnik V vaccine doses back to Russia

Slovakia has sold most Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccines back to the country of origin, the Slovak Health Ministry said on Friday, as public interest is low after months of government hesitation...

www.reuters.com

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

7 months

It may be Easter weekend but my home country #Slovakia 🇸🇰 is gearing up for presidential runoff elections 🗓 Saturday, April 6 Thanks @swheaton for inviting me to discuss what’s at stake & 🇪🇺 context in the new #EUConfidential podcast 🎙 @POLITICOEurope

‘If you want peace, prepare for war’: How an old saying is making a comeback in Europe

Presented by Meta.

www.politico.eu

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Welcome dinner in #Brussels co-hosted by @SCEEUS_UI @dgapev ahead of our tomorrow’s conference on 🇪🇺Eastern Neighbourhood w/ @eu_near #EU2023SE @kmathernova @DirkSchuebel @ToivoKlaar

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

Fully agree w/ @eleonoratafuro Shutting down @CarnegieRussia is a disgraceful move by the Kremlin - another bad decision & consequences of terrible trajectory for 🇷🇺 waging devastating war against 🇺🇦 My solidarity to @AlexGabuev @AndrKolesnikov @baunov Maxim Samorukov & others

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

“The Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia does not deserve this” “More respect for Hungarians from Munkács/Mukachevo in Kyiv/Kiev, Brussels and Washington!” All in all, he thinks the lives of ethnic Hungarians are worth more than other Ukrainians /END

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

6 months

Not a good omen for Fradi ⚪️🟢 In 🇩🇪 the last big ⚽️ team Gazprom sponzored ended relegated to 2. #Bundesliga 🤭 #Schalke #S04

Szabolcs Panyi

@panyiszabolcs

6 months

💥🇷🇺Gazprom to become a sponsor of Hungary's government-connected Ferencváros (Fradi) football club, Hungary's Blikk reports, after the club announced that a "major international firm" will sponsor them. Fradi's president is also deputy chairman of Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party.🤷‍♂️

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Tonight in #Bratislava

Filip Struhárik

@filip_struharik

5 years

People in Bratislava are celebrating 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and fall of the totalitarian regime in Slovakia. #VelvetRevolution Photo: Tomáš Benedikovič / @dennikN

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

Brief 🧵 on party politics in #Slovakia 🇸🇰 4 months ahead of Sept’s elections ▪️new poll has Fico’s SMER and Pelle’s HLAS at 17-18%, @progresivne_sk at 12.5%, far-right Republika at cca 10% ▪️as many as 7 (!) parties around +/- 5% treshold = a chance to win parl seats 1/5@

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@MilanN_inBerlin

5 months

Terrible day for #Slovakia & its democracy! Will it lead to step-back back from the abyss? A by-product of a long period of political turmoil & hatred. I am sorry to say this was coming. My comments for @BBCWorld

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

#BalkanDialogues #Berlin by @BFPE_BFPI @EWInstitute - special occasion to catch up w/ leaders of N/Macedonia President @SPendarovski , FM @Dimitrov_Nikola + @vtcherneva

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@MilanN_inBerlin

6 months

Snowing 🌨 also on #Berlin . When you realise taking a 🚲 was not the best idea today 🫣

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

Belated but now online❗️ My @dgapev take on post-election #Hungary 🇭🇺 & forthcoming #Orban ‘s balancing act 1/2

Hungary’s Post-Election Balancing Act

On April 3, Viktor Orbán was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term, making him the longest-serving Hungarian prime minister of all time. But he is more vulnerable than meets the eye. Orbán and his...

dgap.org

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@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

My article for @BerlinPolicy on the 'Next Chapter' in #CEE convergence w/ #Germany , W/EU. Over the next decade, we'll see a more diverse region emerging -> 6 big challenges @dgapev @D_Schwarzer

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@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

3/ #Romania was included to avoid the optics of EU's regional divide, because it's a large & constructive CEE member state, and it fits into new FR strategy to develop allies in EU's East. Also helps that Pres #Iohannis has good standing in #Berlin @valentinapop @HankeVela

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

After #Slovakia |s President @ZuzanaCaputova decision not to seek re-election, I pointed out to @ft a paradox: it actually puts her in a stronger position to appoint a pro-Western govt after parl elections on 30 Sept (even if Fico wins) 🔺Her current mandate runs until June 2024

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

7 years

Strong mobilisation in #Slovakia after the murder of journalist #JanKuciak . #Anticorruption groups organizing protest march. Media editors issue joint appeal. Government offers 1 million eur for info leading to killers & police protection to journos under threat @PoliticoRyan

Andrej Matisak

@matisaksk

7 years

#Slovakia 's media chief editors has published statement in which they asked the government not just to find people who murdered journalist #JanKuciak but also to protect the freedom of speech, to protect journalism. (in Slovak)

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@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

Strong statement of the 🇧🇾 Ambo to 🇸🇰 Igor Leshchenya, veteran of BLR post-soviet diplomacy. Imagine what the younger ones are thinking (but still careful to jump too soon, they have more to loose). Meanwhile, BLR #MFA keeping back-channel talks w/ 🇪🇺

Oliver Carroll

@olliecarroll

4 years

#Belarus ambassador to Slovakia, ex Lukashenko adviser Igor Leschenya sides w protesters. “Hundreds of my compatriots saw for themselves police rekindling worst traditions of NKVD... The only source of power is the people.” Brave man.

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@MilanN_inBerlin

6 years

#Brexit boosted #Orb án’s ability to disrupt the #EU - and what is his likely strategy now. My commnetary for @guardian @dgapev @D_Schwarzer @PoliticoRyan @panyiszabolcs @eszterz @CarolineGruyter

Brexit is boosting Viktor Orbán’s ability to disrupt the EU | Milan Nič

Hungary’s prime minister is trying to cultivate ties with Eurosceptic and anti-immigration leaders, says Milan Nič ,of the German council for foreign relations

www.theguardian.com

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@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Strong speech as scene-setting for panel on Europe & #RuleOfLaw by 🇸🇰 President #ZuzanaCaputova at #MSC2020 ‘As pol.leaders we have responsibility to unite not divide our societies into north vs south, east vs west, city vs countryside, or elites vs the people’ @dgapev

Zuzana Čaputová

@ZuzanaCaputova

5 years

We must protect our citizens, but also our values. If political leaders resign on defending #TheRuleOfLaw , a #EuropeThatProtects ceases to exist. #MSC2020

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@MilanN_inBerlin

6 months

@vonderburchard Makes sense & also a statement towards China: show of support to Lithuania under 🇨🇳 embargo & blackmail

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

IMHO another outrageous part of Orban's speech to be noted in PL: prerogative to speak on behalf of ethnic HU from 🇺🇦Transcarpathia 'We Hungarians are the only ones, apart from the Ukrainians, who are dying in this war ... while those who criticise us have not shed any [blood]'

Szabolcs Panyi

@panyiszabolcs

2 years

In his controversial speech, Orbán also said that "the statement that Russia will not stop at Ukraine is a weak propaganda talking point used by Ukraine. (...)It lacks any basis in reality." I'm curious how Poland's gov't feels about this. Some questions should be asked. THREAD👇

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

7 years

Impressive, huge protest against #corruption #AllforJan in my home-town #Bratislava #Pressburg tonight. Look at this 📷 video: Civil society still a powerful actor in #Slovakia . Encouraging for others #AllForJan @PoliticoRyan @valasekt @StevenErlanger

Jakub Goda

Jakub Goda is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Jakub Goda and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected.

www.facebook.com

Filip Struhárik

@filip_struharik

7 years

According to estimates, 50,000 people are demonstrating in #Bratislava . (via @dennikN & ) This may be a bigger protest than during Velvet revolution.

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

🚨🇵🇱🇨🇿🇸🇮 Prime Ministers jointly to visit #Kiev #Kyiv 🇺🇦 later today (in spite of on-going shelling of the city!) to meet President @ZelenskyyUa PM @Denys_Shmyhal ; this visit has been coordinated w @eucopresident @vonderleyen Context: CZ is the next EU Pres country after FR 1/2

Petr Fiala

@P_Fiala

3 years

Společně s premiérem Polska Mateuszem Morawieckým, vicepremiérem Jarosławem Kaczyńskim a premiérem Slovinska Janezem Janšou jedeme dnes jako představitelé Evropské rady do Kyjeva, abychom se setkali s prezidentem Zelenským a premiérem Shmyhalem.

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@MilanN_inBerlin

7 years

Big leak by Viktor Orbán’s former close ally suggests the existence of a ‘HUNGARIAN LAUNDROMAT’. -Stolen EU funds are laundered through diamonds&Arab shadow banking, hawala -FBI uncovered the scheme&has a key witness under protection in the US

Szabolcs Panyi

@panyiszabolcs

7 years

Magyar Nemzet (‘Hungarian Nation’), a daily owned by Orbán’s best friend turned worst enemy, oligarch Lajos Simicska, started publishing leaks about this alleged scheme today. It is Simicska's revenge two weeks before the election. Original HUN article:

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@MilanN_inBerlin

7 years

Finally! 1st week in #Berlin w/ my family around! Still unpacking boxes in our new place as kids play w/ those empty ones @intldrifter

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@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Discussing Europe’s place in the world, 🇪🇺 as a regional power shaping its neighborhood & Germany’s 🇩🇪 #Zeitenwende as turning GER geoeconomic -> geopolitical power w/ brilliant speakers @ClaudMajor @jgotkowska @edwardlucas chaired by @charlyjsp at #LennartMeriConference

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

In spite of many dirty tricks by the socialist incumbent & his allies in #Moscow , pro- #EU #MaiaSandu on course to win presidential election in #Moldova 🇲🇩 Great news for Europe! 👏👏👏 #EasternPartnership @dgapev

Liveuamap

@Liveuamap

4 years

WatchDog exitpoll: Sandu - 54.7%, Dodon - 45.3% via @NewsMakerMD #Moldova

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

❗️NOW in Tbilisi #Georgia 🇬🇪 after the parliament passes a controversial ‘foreign agent’ draft law in its 1st reading. It still has to go through a 2nd & 3rd reading but has the ruling Georgian Dream party support => expected to be approved in a fast track procedure @dgapev

NEXTA

@nexta_tv

2 years

More than 10 thousand people in front of the parliament in #Tbilisi .

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@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Thank you @dmarusic @majda_ruge for fascinating discussion on where we are w/ 🇪🇺 accession & reviving #BerlinProcess with WB6 countries ahead of the upcoming BP summit hosted by @Bundeskanzler on 3 Nov @ManuelSarrazin @dgapev @ECFRWiderEurope @AtlanticCouncil

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

Just to illustrate this broader point: In Russia, amidst targeted crackdown on the local indep media, the arrest of @nexta_tv founder is celebrated as a ‘brilliant special operation’ (r/t @antontroian )

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@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

Czech & Slovak FMs making a joint solidarity visit to #Ukraine in trio w/ their Austrian colleague Using the opportunity to show other regional formats if #V4 doesn’t work (given Hungary’s position on RU-UA) @dgapev @phil_ipp_fritz @MKarnitschnig

Ivan Korcok

@IvanKorcok

3 years

Taking off 4 a joint trip w/ @JanLipavsky 🇨🇿 & @a_schallenberg 🇦🇹 to express our solidarity w/ Ukraine 🇺🇦 & get a grasp of the situation on the ground. Looking forward to the next 2 days. 🇸🇰 is a good friend & close partner of Ukraine.

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@MilanN_inBerlin

7 years

#Slovakia President @Andrej_Kiska came to support the crowd in #Bratislava , asked for a minute of silence #AllForJan

James Shotter

@JamesShotter

7 years

Huge crowd gathers at Bratislava’s Freedom Square (in subzero temperatures) to remember Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova

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@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

Excellent 🧵on what the final polls suggest about #Slovakia 's upcoming elections - neither Fico, nor PS might be able to form a coalition (stalemate?) - biggest variable: which of the small parties gets over 5% threshold - cliff hanger: small margins will make huge difference

Anton Spisak

@AntonSpisak

1 year

An update to this: the last poll before Saturday’s election suggests that the centrist, pro-EU Progressive Slovakia would come first, overtaking Fico’s Smer by a small margin. What would this mean? /1

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@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Just arrived to my home town #Bratislava to celebrate the 30th anniversary of #VelvetRevolution - decisive turning-point for lifes & perspectives of my generation (motto of ‘89 was ‘return to Europe’). Starting this evening w/ @fromTGA @nnougayrede & others at #CEF @dgapev

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@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

Very tough winter & humanitarian disaster ahead for 🇵🇱🇩🇪🇪🇺 executed by 🇧🇾 regime in a zero-sum logic

Tadeusz Giczan

@TadeuszGiczan

3 years

The number of people willing to get to the EU via Belarus is so high BY embassies started issuing group visas instead of individual ones. In October alone, Polish Border Guard prevented over 15k attempts to illegally cross the border, another 5k people were detained in Germany.

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@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Free copies of 🇨🇳 govt-sponsored #ChinaDaily available during breakfast in our downtown hotel in #Frankfurt (part of a major int’l chain). New offer started only 2 weeks ago! This copy includes interview with RU Ambo on #pelosivisittotaiwan & other 👌 @oertel_ja @noahbarkin

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@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

4/ When HU excluded Patriarch Kyrill, it argued by religious tolerance This time: looks very transactional A testing balloon🎈for more to come? @panyiszabolcs @valentinapop @VALERIEinNYT

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

On my way to #Bratislava 🇸🇰 (arriving before the polls close)

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@MilanN_inBerlin

1 year

If confirmed, three immediate consequences: ▪️big boost for the leader of radicalised opposition @RobertFico ahead of snap parl elections in Sept ▪️lesson: dirty & mass hate-inducing campaigns work against ‘decent’ pol newcomers] 2/3

News digest: President gets death threats after Fico lies - spectator.sme.sk

Life sentences demanded for Kočner and Zsuzsová, learn more about new PM Ľudovít Ódor, discover Slovak post-rock.

spectator.sme.sk

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

6 years

As a matter of fact, I shared a morning #Ryanair flight from Budapest to Berlin. W/out any assistants, just 2 of them sitting in the 1st row. Must have been a last minute arrangement. Sign of how fast-moving & serious this latest #Fidesz #EPP crisis is @florianeder @D_Schwarzer

VKJudit

@VKJudit

6 years

Knower of all things CDU, @robinalexander_ says Gergely Gulyás, head of the Prime Minister's Office & Zoltán Balog, an #Orban confidant and former minister, visited @akk , the CDU's new leader to prevent Fidesz' expulsion from the @EPP .

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@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

If you follow cont’d gov’t crisis in 🇸🇰 over whether to certify & use #SputnikV vaccine asap, it makes perfect sense why #Russia didn’t start EU registration. It’s perfect way to cut special deals w/ member states & increase 🇪🇺 internal divisions ‼️

Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

🚨 #Slovakia in pol crisis over #SputnikV vaccine after gov't almost approved its use&purchase tonight. PM @i_matovic motion vetoed by small coalition party due to lack of #EMA & #transparency How did it happen so quickly? /1 🧵 #Thread @florianeder

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@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

Uplifting news from #Croatia for all ex-YU & EU partners. Fmr PM #Milanovic set to defeat President @KolindaGK Her shift twds #nationalist far right vote didn’t work. She ran out of steam & credibility. Paradox: positive twist for #EU2020HR 1/2

Tena Prelec

@tenaprelec

5 years

Exit polls #Croatia Zoran Milanović 53.25% Kolinda GK 46.75% Consistent with turnout: lowest in Slavonija, higher in NW. HDZ failed to mobilise Škoro voters. Likely course correction to come (diaspora) but KGK unlikely to catch up. Milanovic on course to victory #izboriHR

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@MilanN_inBerlin

10 years

Bad day for #Putin 's allies in #centraleurope ! Impressive protests in #Prague & #Budapest http://t.co/pBDtERuDPO @bartha_daniel @edwardlucas

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@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

2/ When EU agreed Russia oil embargo, HU used its veto to get exemptions for pipeline imports It could point out to a) vital econ interests b) similar impact on two other CE landlocked countries This time: HU is alone

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@MilanN_inBerlin

8 months

Logical conclusion by fmr colleagues at @GLOBSEC after 🇸🇰 PM Fico turned the conference (which he previously regularly attended, delivered speeches) into a symbol of ‘foreign agents’ and punching bag for his voters Congrats 🇨🇿 for hosting a leading security forum in 🇪🇺’s East

GLOBSEC

@GLOBSEC

8 months

📢 The 19ᵗʰ edition of the GLOBSEC Forum will be held in Prague from August 30 to September 1, 2024. We are grateful to the Czech President @prezidentpavel for his patronage of the event. Read our press release for more details! 🔗

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

4 years

Excellent, timely #BalkanDialogues yday on #Kosovo #Serbia after WH talks called off. If @BFPE_BFPI @EWInstitute release the recording, the 3rd panel w #MattPalmer @MiroslavLajcak @ischinger #IvanKrastev a #MustWatch for all interested observers & stake-holders

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@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

6/ Let's not be misled by speculation in Brussels: It's not about HU leverage to get EU recovery funds, which is to be decided in a few weeks (after the sanctions renewal) In fact, it's running up the risks: new example of Orbán's non-transparent deals @eszterz @HankeVela

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@MilanN_inBerlin

2 years

Together w/ @dgapev director @GuntramWolff I was honored & delighted to take part at an informal discussion with 🇩🇪 & 🇸🇰 Presidents earlier today at Schloss Bellevue

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

3 years

#Hungary 🇭🇺 also on board, FM Szijjarto confirmed. Also offering Budapest as a place for #Russia #Ukraine peace talks Diplo pressure for a #SWIFTban at the 🇪🇺 level (mainly org by 🇵🇱 govt + Zelensky from the bunker) now pivoting on 🇩🇪 /1

Tyson Barker

@tysonbarker

3 years

Italy’s now on board for a SWIFT ban of Russia. The momentum is moving in this direction. It now feels imminent. Watch 👀 for statements from the 🇩🇪 chancellery this afternoon after Scholz’s meeting w Baltic & Polish leaders.

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

5 years

👌👏 Just another sign of DGAP contining to internationalize! Happy to see #Hungarian added last week thanks to our new colleague #AndrasRacz (who will also be on #twitter soon 😉 )

DGAP

@dgapev

5 years

Happy #EuropeanDayofLanguages !

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Milan Nic

@MilanN_inBerlin

11 months

Day 2 of @dgapev workshop on the state of 🇪🇺 #enlargement starts w/ keynote impulse by @NathalieTocci - stay tuned for the recording 🎥 to be posted later at our YouTube channel

Anastasia Pociumban (@pociumban.bsky.social)

@NastiaPociumban

11 months

Excellent debate on how Western Balkans can seize the new #enlargement momentum, organised by my colleagues @MilanN_inBerlin and Frauke Seebass @dgapev

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