State of Europe: Looks like Merkel still under surveillance…

Whistleblower: NSA secretly continues Merkel surveillance by bugging other German officials

An anonymous NSA leaker revealed to the German magazine Bild am Sonntag that the agency has been spying on senior German government figures. The move is apparently a response to Obama prohibiting the agency from spying on Chancellor Angela Merkel (or other world leaders) without his authorization

To the victor the spoils? What will Russia and the EU do next?

Ukraine?s future is in the balance. It could move closer towards the EU, Russia or both at the same time. It could remain a unified state, split in two or conceivably be invaded by Russia. Here are some of the scenarios which we’ve ranked according to their probability

Why does Putin fear Maidan?

The popular upheaval in Ukraine reveals how the Kremlin thinks, says Carmen Claudín.

Maidan marks a milestone for all of Europe. Although Yanukovych has fled and now denounces a coup d?état, the fact remains that a regime which lost legitimacy long ago has been ousted as a result of mass protest. The bloodshed has at last stopped but what comes next will certainly not be easy. First of all for Ukraine, a country teetering on theedge of bankruptcy, with serious internal divisions, an opposition lacking cohesion and without strong leadership, not to mention a post-Soviet political culture which raises major obstacles to establishing rule of law. Then, for the European Union, which has now acquired towards Ukraine a responsibility that was certainly not on the agenda, for all Russia?s claims to the contrary.

Finnish minister: EU membership has given Finland a voice that is louder than ever before

Finland has benefitted “tremendously” from joining the EU, where it continues to play a constructive and active role, says Alexander Stubb on the 20th anniversary of the Finnish EU membership referendum.

Alexander Stubb is Finland’s minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade. He spoke to EurActiv’s Henriette Jacobsen at the Finnish Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.

Scottish Independence and the EU

The debate on Scottish independence is heating up: within the last few weeks we?ve gone from emotional appeals to keep Scotland in the UK to declarations that if Scotland leaves the UK it will lose the pound and EU membership. Commission President Barroso made a surprisingly strong intervention into the debate on the Andrew Marr Show, saying that it would be ?difficult, if not impossible? for Scotland to be accepted back into the EU.

Refugee women in the UK: fighting back from behind bars

The experience of female asylum seekers is distinct to their gender, particularly when survivors of rape and torture, perpetrated by male state officials, are imprisoned and guarded by men here in the UK. Rebecca Omonira-Oyekanmi reports on the campaign to set them free

MAIN FOCUS: Changeover of power in Ukraine | 24/02/2014

After the bloody unrest in Ukraine the parliament dismissed President Viktor Yanukovych on Saturday and voted to release opposition politician Yulia Tymoshenko from prison. A caretaker government is to be in place by Tuesday. The Ukrainians also defended Europe on Independence Square, commentators note and call on the EU to reward their courage. Others see the situation as highly unstable and warn that the country may be divided

Slovakian Government Shoots Down Referendums to Change Village Names

As with many countries that were once a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, many Slovak villages and towns have had different version of names, including versions in German, Hungarian, and sometimes several in Slovak, depending on the regime that was in power at the time. Recently, the citizens of some towns have tried renaming their villages again, but the government has intervened, saying only the government has the authority to do so

A new Anglo-German bargain on EU reform? Key opportunities and pitfalls

Ahead of German Chancellor Angela Merkel?s visit to London to meet David Cameron on Thursday, we’ve published a new briefing setting out the chances of an Anglo-German bargain on EU reform, the areas of possible agreement and also the potential hurdles to a deal.

A new Anglo-German bargain on EU reform? Key opportunities and pitfalls

Ahead of German Chancellor Angela Merkel?s visit to London to meet David Cameron on Thursday, we’ve published a new briefing setting out the chances of an Anglo-German bargain on EU reform, the areas of possible agreement and also the potential hurdles to a deal.

The European Parliament must not condone human rights abuses in the United Arab Emirates

On Thursday, the European Parliament will vote on whether to add the United Arab Emirates to the short list of countries eligable for visa wavers in Europe, despite the country’s shocking human rights record.