No need for another group of wise men to debate the future of Europe

Addressing the Spanish Prime Minister, José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, today in a debate in the European Parliament on the future of Europe, Graham Watson (Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe) stated his opposition to President Sarkozy's suggestion for a committee of Wise Men to consider the future of Europe:

 

Parliament tests web TV channel

by fhbrussels

European Parliament Vice-President Vidal-Quadras (EPP, Spain) today announced to members of the European Parliament via email that the new EP web-TV is open for testing via the Parliament’s intranet. We understand that if the test goes well, those behind the channel are hoping to launch to the channel to the rest of us in the New Year.

 

DOSSIER: Tests for Europe's schoolchildren | 30/11/2007

Two new studies have reignited the debate about educational standards in schools: the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) and the OECD's Pisa study. How effective are the education systems of the different nations at educating their pupils?

DOSSIER: The failure of the Kosovo talks | 29/11/2007

The last round of talks on the future of Kosovo has come to an end without a result. The attempts of international diplomacy to mediate between Serbs and Kosovo-Albanians have failed. Will the Serb province now declare independence?

 

Rioters vs state in a test of will

If the media caused the 2005 riots to spread, Sarkozy seems to think, they can also make this wave stop, writes Christopher Caldwell

China is losing its EU friends

by Centre for European Reform

by Katinka Barysch

The EU is getting tough on China. That, at least, is the impression one gets from high-ranking EU officials that arrived for the annual EU-China summit in Beijing this week. Economics is the main reason for Europe’s changing mood. The EU’s trade deficit with China is set to reach €170 billion this year, and European business is losing an estimated €55 million a day because of Chinese red tape, trademark violations and unfair subsidies. The EU’s economic troika – Joaquin Almunia, Jean-Claude Juncker and Jean-Claude Trichet – called on China to let its currency rise against the euro. Commission President Barroso and his trade commissioner, Peter Mandelson, warned that they would no longer be able to withstand rising protectionist pressure in Europe, unless the Chinese made it easier for European companies to sell in their markets.

This week in Network Europe

 

Slovenia: a well-kept secret

Coming soon to EU

 

 

Though deadlocked, sides agree to avoid violence over Kosovo

Merkel defends German foreign policy focused on human rights
The chancellor's coalition partners say the nation's economy is missing out on lucrative business deals because of her emphasis on values

A Cold War institution that's lost its bearings Russia is using the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe as its political playground

CEPS Does Europe Need a New Missile Defence System?

Europe's Defence and Its New Security Strategy
CER

No Security: A look at how Britain is failing in its most basic duty to its citizens.

Iran rejects EU 'disappointment'

Iran defends its right to develop nuclear technology following the failure of EU talks to break the deadlock.

How Many Divisions Have the Europeans?
(The much-mocked Italians, for instance, spend more on defense than Turkey, Israel and Iran put together.)

Television without Frontiers: Towards a common audiovisual area

 

EU Can Prevent Versailles Syndrome in Serbia

Elizabeth Pond , author of Endgame in the Balkans, contends that the EU plan for Kosovo's "supervised independence" will avoid the historical mistakes that could end up fueling Serbian resentment and ultranationalism. Offering eventual European Union membership to Serbia is a prudent step that will encourage Serbian cooperation.