November 18, 2008
November 13, 2008
"Marek Belka and Erik Berglof: New Europe Catches Old Europe’s Cold
November 09, 2008
"The Commission’s economic forecasts are still too complacent
November 03, 2008
"Monitoring the supply of heroin to Europe
Monitoring the supply of heroin to Europe
Source: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
Summary:
In recent years, anxiety in Europe has increased about the impact of record opium harvests in Afghanistan, and a decrease in heroin retail prices. This datasheet provides a condensed review of the key issues about how heroin manufactured from Afghan opium reaches European consumers via the Balkan and northern routes.
Continue reading ""Monitoring the supply of heroin to Europe" »
October 31, 2008
"Migrant women in the EU labour force
Migrant women in the EU labour force: Summary of findings
Executive summary for Migrant women in the European labour force, which examines migrant women's participation in the European labor force.
October 28, 2008
"Eurostat yearbook 2008 — Europe in figures
Europe split on how to restore Moscow ties
An EU policy document reveals a vigorous debate under way among member governments about how far, and how quickly, to restore relations with Moscow after Russia's invasion of Georgia in AugustContinue reading ""Eurostat yearbook 2008 — Europe in figures" »
October 21, 2008
"Key EU committee endorses Ashton
Key EU committee endorses Ashton
A key Brussels committee agrees to endorse Baroness Ashton as the UK's nominee for EU trade commissioner.October 20, 2008
"Climate debate postponed
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Massacre of the Innocents, 1565-7. In Bruegel to Rubens: Masters of Flemish Painting Exhibition Opens at The Royal Collection
MAIN FOCUS: Climate debate postponed | 17/10/2008
The EU has postponed its climate debate until December, but despite the financial crisis is continuing to adhere to its emissions reduction targets. This has annoyed Poland and Italy in particular, which have repeatedly warned that climate protection must not overburden industry. The European press is at odds about what the EU summit has actually achieved for the climate and how the EU should now proceed.
October 17, 2008
"EU 'resolute' on climate targets
EU 'resolute' on climate targets
The EU will keep to its targets to tackle climate change despite worries about slowing economies, the French president says.October 15, 2008
"Lisbon Treaty: Ireland is not the only problem
Lisbon Treaty: Ireland is not the only problem
Whilst there is a unanimous view among the Irish electorate that their 'no' vote on the Lisbon Treaty should be respected, it is "necessary to respect the fact that a substantial majority of member states have approved [the text]" too, argues Peadar ó Broin, a researcher at the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), in a paper for the European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN).Continue reading ""Lisbon Treaty: Ireland is not the only problem" »
October 10, 2008
"Why does Beethoven's Ode to Joy upset some Euro MPs?
Why does Beethoven's Ode to Joy upset some Euro MPs?
A decision to make the EU flag and motto more prominent and play the EU anthem more often angers some British Euro MPs.Continue reading ""Why does Beethoven's Ode to Joy upset some Euro MPs?" »
October 08, 2008
"The credit crunch and the EU
October 04, 2008
" EU leaders to discuss bank crisis
EU leaders to discuss bank crisis
The leaders of Europe's four largest economies are to discuss a response to the global financial crisis.Europe: In it together
Governments moved quickly to rescue failing banks this week but there are still doubts in their ability to mount a co-ordinated response to a new phase in the financial crisisOctober 01, 2008
"The search for financial alternatives
MAIN FOCUS: The search for financial alternatives | 01/10/2008
After the US House of Representatives' unexpected rejection of a 700 billion dollar bailout plan, Europe is reappraising the balance of power on the international financial market. Until now Europe has been too reliant on American economic competence, commentators say. Talk now focuses on structural change, new regulatory systems and even a UK accession to the Eurozone.
September 29, 2008
"Credit crunch hits European banks........
Credit crunch hits European banks
Top officials from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the EU held emergency meetings over the weekend to prevent bank and insurance giant Fortis from becoming the eurozone's first major victim of the global financial crisis.
In defence of Anglo-Saxon capitalism
by Charles GrantThose who never liked ‘Anglo-Saxon’ capitalism are feeling smug. Marxists, fans of ‘Rhineland’ capitalism and those who simply cannot stand American power are crowing. “The US will lose its status as the superpower of the world financial system,” says Peer Steinbruck, Germany’s finance minister. “Self-regulation is finished, laisser faire is finished, the idea of an all powerful market which is always right is finished,” says France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy. The British academic (and sometime fan of Margaret Thatcher) John Gray proclaims that “in a change as far-reaching in its implications as the fall of the Soviet Union, an entire model of the government and the economy has collapsed.”
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September 14, 2008
"The myth of ‘Eurabia’
The myth of ‘Eurabia’ by MUHAMMAD ABDUL BARI
LONDON -- There is a powerful narrative today about how many young European Muslims are susceptible to terrorism, how Islam leads to radicalization and how Muslims, because of their creed, choose to live in ghettos and therefore create swamps that breed terrorists.
Security guard the Lourdes Sanctuary as Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the Papamobile to celebrate Mass at La Prairie on September 14, 2008 where the pontiff is on a pilgrimage to the shrine where the faithful believe the Virgin Mary appeared to a peasant girl 150 years ago. The 81-year-old Benedict celebrated a Mass for more than 150,000 people on a field in the shadow of the sanctuary built over the cave where Bernadette Soubirous said the Madonna appeared and spoke to her 18 times in 1858.
REUTERS/Regis Duvignau (FRANCE)September 10, 2008
"Sorry, you’re just not European enough....
Sorry, you’re just not European enough
Better luck next time, Ukraine.
One of these days the EU powers that be are going to realise that when you’ve got countries torn between a European and non-European identity, to keep on telling them “sorry, you’re not European enough yet” is just going to drive them into the other camp.
How much longer are the likes of Ukraine and Turkey going to put up with these repeated, very public rejections before heading off to the waiting embrace of Moscow or non-secular Islamism?
Migration fears unjustified, OECD
Growing migration is putting strains on rich and poor economies alike, according to the OECD.
Continue reading ""Sorry, you’re just not European enough...." »
September 08, 2008
"Sarkozy, Solana in Russia to clarify Georgia ceasefire
A new rival for Merkel
Social Democrats shake things up
COALITION governments often make for interesting bedfellows. The union between Germany's Christan Democrats, the party of Angela Merkel, and the Social Democrats (SPD) should be more entertaining to watch after a weekend shake-up of the latter in which the current foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, was chosen as the SPD's candidate to face Mrs Merkel in national elections next year.
Johannes Simon/Getty Images
Sarkozy, Solana in Russia to clarify Georgia ceasefire
Accompanied by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and Commission President José Manuel Barroso, French President Nicolas Sarkozy is in Moscow today (8 September) before heading to Tbilisi this evening to discuss the implementation of the peace plan he brokered at the outbreak of the Russia-Georgia conflict a month ago.Continue reading ""Sarkozy, Solana in Russia to clarify Georgia ceasefire" »
September 06, 2008
Nosemonkey reports: "European Commission: It’s not racist to target a particular ethnic group for police persecution
European Commission: It’s not racist to target a particular ethnic group for police persecution
Good news for fascists today - according to the EU, it’s no longer racist to target a particular ethnic group based on folklore that suggests they’re all criminals.EU Should Balance Criticism Toward Russia and Georgia
Leonie Holthaus: The EU should serve as a mediator in the Russian-Georgian dispute. This role requires that the EU does not take sides with one conflicting party but rather balance its criticism. Even if a position like this is perceived as "hesitant" in the US press, it may contribute to resolving the conflict by diplomatic means.........September 03, 2008
"The crisis of the Post-Cold War European order
The crisis of the Post-Cold War European order
A policy of engagement defined as a focus on national interest, and a radical turn from value-based foreign policy to nineteenth century Realpolitik, is not a workable option for relations between Russia and the West, writes Ivan Krastev.Continue reading ""The crisis of the Post-Cold War European order" »
September 02, 2008
PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS of EXTRAORDINARY EUROPEAN COUNCIL, (1 SEPTEMBER 2008)
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 1 September 2008 (01.09)
12594/08
COUNCIL 3
COVER NOTE
from : Presidency to Delegations
Subject : EXTRAORDINARY EUROPEAN COUNCIL, BRUSSELS
1 SEPTEMBER 2008
PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS
Delegations will find attached the Presidency conclusions of the Extraordinary European Council held in Brussels (1 September 2008). 12594/08 2
The meeting of the European Council was preceded by an exposé by the President of the European Parliament, Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering, followed by an exchange of views.
1. The European Council is gravely concerned by the open conflict which has broken out in Georgia, by the resulting violence and by the disproportionate reaction of Russia. This conflict has led to great suffering on both sides. Military action of this kind is not a solution and is not acceptable. The European Council deplores the loss of human life, the suffering inflicted on the population, the number of displaced persons and refugees, and the considerable material damage.
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Continue reading "PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS of EXTRAORDINARY EUROPEAN COUNCIL, (1 SEPTEMBER 2008)" »
September 01, 2008
"Summit to test Europe's unity over Russia
Summit to test Europe's unity over Russia
European leaders will try to put on a united front during a summit in Brussels today (1 September) that will review the EU's relations with Moscow following the conflict in Georgia. But sanctions are off the agenda for now.Continue reading ""Summit to test Europe's unity over Russia" »
August 28, 2008
"The demographic time-bomb
The demographic time-bomb
New projections for an ageing Europe
WHO'S up and who's down in Europe? If it's population one is counting, Britain will be on top in 50 years' time, passing both Germany and France to become the biggest country in the European Union, according to projections in a new study.August 26, 2008
"Can the EU win the peace in Georgia?
Can the EU win the peace in Georgia?
The conflict between Georgia and Russia has seen the EU become the main diplomatic mediator between the two and it should use this status to develop peaceful relations in the region, argue Nicu Popescu et al. in an August 2008 commentary for the European Council on Foreign Relations.
USAK Report: Change in Caucasia brings burdens and opportunities for Turkey
Turkey is one of the countries that will be most vulnerable vis-à-vis a new global order triggered by the conflict between Georgia and Russia, a study by the Ankara-based International Strategic Research Organization (ISRO/ USAK) has noted.The conflict erupted on Aug. 7-8 when Georgia tried to retake South Ossetia. A Russian counter-offensive pushed into Georgia proper, crossing its east-west highway and nearing a Western-backed oil pipeline. Russia ignored Western demands to remove its remaining troops from Georgia's heartland, saying the residual troops are peacekeepers needed to avert further bloodshed and to protect the people of Georgia's separatist, pro-Moscow provinces of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, two days after Moscow said it had wrapped up its withdrawal.
August 22, 2008
"Merkel asked to take lead in reshaping East-West relations
A man carries a log to his home in a small hillside settlement located near the village of Janovce in Eastern Slovakia where none of the houses have running water or a toilet. A surprising 20 million people in the European Union do not have access to decent toilets and suffer from a lack of hygiene, posing serious health risks, experts meeting at World Water Week in Stockholm said.
(AFP/File/Joe Klamar)Merkel asked to take lead in reshaping East-West relations
The notion that German Chancellor Angela Merkel should step up and take the lead within the EU to resolve tensions over Georgia and reshape the West's relations with Moscow appears to be emerging, with analysts claiming Germany is the only country that Russia might listen to.Continue reading ""Merkel asked to take lead in reshaping East-West relations" »
August 21, 2008
"Commission to test free access to EU research
Strasbourg not yet ready for MEPs
The European Parliament's temporary relocation to Brussels from Strasbourg reignites a row about where it should be based.
found in Small Food Nation
(Pieter Aertsen, Butcher's Stall with the Flight into Egypt, 1551. Source.)
Commission to test free access to EU research
A pilot project that will give unrestricted online access to EU-funded research results was launched yesterday (20 August), which the Commission claims will ensure better exploitation of scientific studies and guarantee a "fair return" for taxpayers. But specialist publishers are unhappy with the move.
Memories of Czech invasion
Two BBC website readers share their experiences of the Soviet invasion and living under communist rule in Czechoslovakia.
Continue reading ""Commission to test free access to EU research" »
August 20, 2008
"NATO's new role?
MAIN FOCUS: NATO's new role? | 20/08/2008
The NATO foreign ministers gathered yesterday to confer on the crisis in the Caucasus. NATO General Secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer sharply condemned Russia and called for an immediate withdrawal of all Russian troops. Europe's press discusses the role of the alliance after Moscow's show of force.