Eurotopics.net

This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the US. Shortly after the NATO summit in Madrid in 1997 at which Romania's bid to join the alliance was rejected, the then US President Bill Clinton travelled to the country and gave relations between the two countries a special status through the partnership. The national press voices words of praise, but also criticism.

After Boris Johnson's resignation as leader of the Conservative Party, the jockeying for his post has begun. The Tories now plan to select his successor from among several candidates by September, and he or she will then take over as prime minister. Europe's press examines what impact the change of leadership could have on the country's policies.

As of today, Monday, the gas flowing through the Russian-German Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which mainly supplies north-western Europe, will be cut off temporarily due to routine maintenance work. However, there are fears that Moscow will use this opportunity to cut off gas to Europe entirely over a long period and build up political pressure. Berlin has already announced plans to return a pipeline turbine that was in Canada for repairs to Russia - despite the sanctions. Europe's press voices criticism and concern.

Japan's ex-prime minister Shinzō Abe was shot dead in the street during an election campaign rally on 8 July. He led Japan from 2006-2007 and then again from 2012-2020. In terms of foreign policy, he focused on maintaining balanced relations with neighbouring countries while strengthening the island state's military, while in domestic policy he focused on reforms in numerous economic and social spheres. A look at the obituaries in the European press.

In response to Russia's war against Ukraine, Latvia is reintroducing compulsory military service for men from 2023. Since 2007 - three years after joining Nato - the Latvian armed forces have consisted only of professional soldiers, alongside a National Guard made up of volunteers. The national press assesses this innovation positively, yet in part as insufficient.