"Can the EU thaw frozen conflicts?
Can the EU thaw frozen conflicts?
by Tomas ValasekThe Czech government floated proposals in May that would see the EU take a more active role in solving frozen conflicts in eastern Europe. The Czechs hold the EU’s rotating presidency next year, so their wish may become reality. But just what exactly can the EU offer? The four conflicts in Europe’s east, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Transdniestria, have been ‘frozen’ for so long that even hardened optimists have lost hope.
EU tables weakened cross-border healthcare directive
A Commission proposal published yesterday (2 July) to make it easier for citizens to seek care abroad could see its effectiveness limited after new clauses were introduced. These would allow member states to require patients to get prior authorisation for foreign hospital care and pay upfront themselves.Mixed reaction to EU's social package
The Commission's long-awaited social package aimed at tackling discrimination and strengthening workers' rights, which was unveiled yesterday (2 July), was warmly welcomed by MEPs but business federations and civil society groups were dismissive, saying it falls short.Ethnic discrimination still haunts Europe, says study
Although discrimination in general has decreased on the European continent in the past years, discrimination based on ethnic origin it is still perceived as widespread, with Roma in particular facing high levels of prejudice, according to a new Eurobarometer.Digital maps shake-up gets EU go-ahead
The European Commission yesterday (2 July) cleared Nokia's acquisition of US digital map maker Navteq in a move expected to reshape the growing market for satellite map databases, which are becoming a must-have gadget for cars and smartphones.France is same old France
Contrary to reassuring messages from France that its term at the helm of the European Union would be an impartial one, the most recent statement from Paris seemed a sign of a well-known FrenchDaniel Riot: "Europe: it’s a pain in the neck!"
Riot is a self-proclaimed pest. Having fallen for Europe as a young boy, he is a regular critic of both politicians and journalists and tries to the European debate whenever possible.
MAIN FOCUS: ECB to decide on the prime rate | 03/07/2008
The European Central Bank will decide today on whether to raise the key interest rate for the Eurozone. Experts across Europe anticipate a rise of at least 0.25 percent. But the planned rise is controversial: it could weaken the economy and put pressure on consumers.
Der Spiegel: France a loser
That's the verdict in today's Betancourt article:here's a second loser in this drama: Nicolas Sarkozy. The French appeared to have been just as surprised as Chavez to hear about Betancourt's release on Wednesday. Paris had only just managed to establish fresh contact with the new FARC leader Alfonso Cano. Sarkozy had hoped that the French could score a coup by negotiating Betancourt's release and flying her directly to Paris. Colombian government officials had spoken reproachingly about what they often deemed to be politically motivated attempts at intervention on the part of the French.
