The Commission’s economic forecasts are still too complacent
By Simon Tilford
On the face of it, it appears churlish to accuse the Commission of complacency when it is forecasting no growth in the eurozone economy in 2009 and a deep recession in the UK. But the Commission has a tendency to be slow to downgrade its forecasts and its latest forecasting round is no exception. The Commission’s forecasts of economic stagnation next year – 0.2 per cent in the EU and 0.1 per cent in eurozone – already looks out of date. It is hard to conceive how either the EU or the eurozone will escape deep recessions in 2009. The indications of an unprecedented slump in economic activity are multiplying all the time.
guardian.co.uk/reuters: The EU will likely take a 5 key point message to Washington
Joschka Fischer: Europe in Wonderland
BERLIN – Europe and its national governments are basking in their new capacity to act – and not without reason. Who would have dared, even a few weeks ago, to predict that in the end it would be the divided Europeans, not the United States, who determined how to contain the global financial crisis?
Moscow’s missiles
Mr Obama’s victory is a real opportunity to revisit the bitter dispute which stems from Washington’s plans to establish missile shield bases in eastern Europe
Financial crisis will shape the Czech presidency
Calls to extend French leadership beyond January 1 make a mockery of the European integration process, writes Vladimír Dlouhý
E.U. Wants Financial Reforms Soon
BRUSSELS, Nov. 7 — The 27 nations of the European Union demanded Friday that the Bush administration join them in devising and putting into practice "strong, ambitious and operational" measures within 100 days to regulate international bankers more tightly and prevent repetition of the world…
Split Over Russia Grows in Europe
BERLIN, Nov. 7 — Russia sent President-elect Barack Obama a message this week when it threatened to "neutralize" the proposed U.S. missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. But analysts said the tough talk from Moscow had another aim as well: to exploit a festering divide within Europe.
Two Different Paths to NATO: Georgia and Ukraine
Ukraine and Georgia were previously anticipated to take the next step toward full NATO membership, attaining Membership Action Plans (MAPs), at an upcoming December NATO Ministerial. However, Georgia’s conflict with Russia and the destabilizing, perennial internal political squabbles between President Yushchenko and Prime Minister Tymoshenko in Ukraine has made a 2008 MAP for either country all but impossible to imagine.
Climate change policy after the financial crisis
"While many assume that a recession will reduce the ambition of the EU and other countries to press ahead with climate change policies, the opposite may well be the case," argues Christian Egenhofer, a senior fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS).
Interview: European Parliament needs ‘ideological coalition’
An "ideological coalition" holding a majority in the European Parliament should be formed after the EU elections in June 2009 to push forward a substantial package on the economy, Graham Watson, leader of the liberal group in the Strasbourg Assembly, told EurActiv in an interview.
Bosnian leaders hold symbolic meeting
Government leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina have held a symbolically important joint meeting in the ethnic Serb administrative capital for the first time since the Dayton peace treaty ended the 1992-1995 Bosnian war. They also vowed to pursue their ‘only agreed goal’ of EU membership
Between EU and US: Reassessing security and peace-building
"The new European security strategy (ESS) could help to reconfigure EU-US relations in the post-Bush era and foster greater coherence, coordination and capabilities in EU policy-making," writes Antonio Missiroli, director of studies at the European Policy Centre, in an October commentary.
Balkan candidates
EU gives Croatia timetable, but chides Macedonia
Quotes: EU leaders talk financial crisis
From Bulgaria to Germany, European politicians analyse the consequences of the global crisis
MAIN FOCUS: Russia’s aggressive stance | 07/11/2008
In his first speech on the state of the nation, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has announced he wants to station short-range missiles in Kaliningrad. The Iskander missiles are meant to "neutralise" the planned US missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. The European press discusses Russia’s menacing gestures and their political consequences.
Rome hosts Vatican-Muslim summit
Leading Muslim and Vatican officia
ls hold historic talks in Rome to try to defuse tension between the two religions.
MAIN FOCUS: Answers to the financial crisis | 03/11/2008
The states of Europe are seeking to answer the financial crisis with national economic programmes and reform plans. Whether in the form of subsidies for key industries or state funds, aid is the order of the day. And if the financial crisis is met in the right way, writes the European press, it could even present an opportunity.
E.U. Offers Road Map For Policy With U.S.
PARIS, Nov. 3 — European governments drew up a road map for relations with the new U.S. president Monday in their maiden attempt to present a concerted policy to guide dealings with the United States.
The EU’s Target for Renewable Energy: 20% by 2020
The EU’s Target for Renewable Energy: 20% by 2020
Source: UK House of Lords European Union Committee
From the Foreword:
In January 2008, the Commission published the 20 20 by 2020 package. This includes proposals for reducing the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and increasing its proportion of final energy consumption from renewable sources to 20%. Both of these targets are to be achieved by 2020. In order to meet the EU renewable energy target each Member State will be given a national target to meet based on their existing renewable generation, their GDP and a flat-rate increase for all. The UK’s proposed target is 15%.
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