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 August
State of Europe
"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.
"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.
"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.
"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).
"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.
" 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 crisis
"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.
"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 Grant
Those 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.”
"EU agrees on key immigration pact
EU agrees on key immigration pact
EU ministers agree on a plan to curb illegal immigration while easing the rules for highly-skilled workers.
Bartholomew's speech in the European Parliament
TO THE PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (Brussels, September 24, 2008) * * * Your Excellency Mr President of the European Parliament, Your Excellencies, Honorable Members of the European Parliament, Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, First and foremost, we convey to you salutations from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, based for many many centuries in … Read more
"EU Agencies – Whatever you do, we work for you Source: European Commission
EU Agencies – Whatever you do, we work for you
Source: European Commission
From Stockholm to Crete and from Lisbon to Warsaw, 29 agencies provide service, information and know-how to the people of the European Union and beyond. The agencies work within many different fields such as environment,
food safety, transportation, trade marks, education, or fundamental rights.This brochure dedicates a page to each of the agencies, describing their work and giving contact details.
“Don’t buy exotic animal souvenirs.” In Animal souvenirs
" Anti-Jew and anti-Muslim prejudice growing in EU
Survey: Anti-Jew and anti-Muslim prejudice growing in EU
A new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center reveals that hostile views towards Jews and Muslims are on the rise in Europe, even while fundamentalism and support for terrorism appear to be dwindling in the Muslim world.
Poland and Italy most religious in Europe, study finds
EU Politics News – theParliament.com:
A major new study on religious belief has found that rates of religiousaffiliation are highest in Poland and Italy, while France has a highpercentage of non-religious individuals.
Turkey related foundings from the survey:
"Black Monday
MAIN FOCUS: Black Monday | 16/09/2008
The international financial system has been rocked by one of the biggest bank collapses in history. The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest US investment bank, led on Monday to dramatic stock market losses across the world. What consequences will the crisis have for European and international financial systems?