Eurosphere agenda: “Auditors slam EU’s Schengen info system…

  Auditors slam EU’s Schengen info system  EurActiv.com The European Court of Auditors has criticised financial setbacks and delays of the new Schengen Information System (see also (https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/),  a border control software that has cost eight times more than its initial budget. EurActiv France reports. Mixed fortunes for Scandinavian Eurosceptics  EurActiv.com While the Eurosceptic Danish People’s Party could become the biggest … Read more

Europshere agenda: Surveillance reports on several European countries… Russia backs Ukraine separatists…

France’s surveillance: justice, freedom and security in the EU open Democracy News Analysis – by Amandine Scherrer, Francesco Ragazzi, Joanna Parkin, Julien Jeandesboz, Nicholas Hernanz, Sergio Carrera and Didier Bigo François Hollande sharply criticised US surveillance last year, but the fact remains that France also engages in mass data collection and intelligence sharing. This is an excerpt … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Extremism in South-Eastern Ukraine… ” Ukraine’s Pro-Russian Separatists…

Photos: Face-to-Face With Ukraine’s Pro-Russian Separatists Mashable! by Christopher Miller DONETSK, Ukraine ? Pro-Russian separatists are tightening their grip on Ukraine‘s embattled eastern region ahead of a referendum that insurgents plan to hold this Sunday.   EU prepares more sanctions against Russia EurActiv.com EU governments reached a preliminary agreement yesterday (7 May) to expand the legal … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “Sweden is Europe’s most innovative economy

Sweden is Europe’s most innovative economy, Commission says   Sweden is the best country in the EU when it comes to getting new ideas to reach the market, according to a new innovation indicator launched by the European Commission.   The new indicator measures innovation output, which creates better jobs and makes Europe more competitive, the … Read more

Eurosphere agenda: “UK aims to become centre for Islamic finance…

UK aims to become centre for Islamic finance Global Islamic finance market is valued at $1.3tn and is growing faster than the conventional banking sector  Germany hits back at US criticism Germany hits back at the US Treasury’s criticism of its export-led growth model, describing the attack as “incomprehensible”. Spying leaks should not interrupt cooperation with … Read more

Eurosphere roundup: “15-Year-Old Roma Girl’s Deportation Shakes Up France’s Immigration Debate…

  German coalition talks cast long shadow over EU elections   German chancellor Angela Merkel said there was no ?automatic link? between the party that wins next year’s EU election and the next European Commission president, casting doubt over a pledge by the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) to “put a face” on the election.   … Read more

Eurosphere roundup: Far-right victories in Norway and France… “Europe threatened by power outages this winter

Europe threatened by power outages this winter   Renewable energy is blamed for jeopardising Europe’s energy security this winter, a new study has found. EurActiv France reports.   The French multinational company Cap Gemini warned in their European Observatory of Energy Markets that energy security in Europe was under threat and that the region could soon be exposed to massive … Read more

Eurosphere roundup: Blow to Golden Dawn in Greece… Berlusconi

  Greek police arrest dozen Golden Dawn members, including party leader Greek police arrested the leader of the far-right Golden Dawn Party in a morning operation Greek neo-Nazi MPs to face criminal charges: Court source Five lawmakers of the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn including its founder Nikos Michaloliakos will face charges of belonging to … Read more

Eurosphere roundup: “Who says Germen election is dull?

Germany’s anti-euro party mobilises non-voters and FDP supporters Three days ahead of the German election, Germany’s anti-euro party, Alternative für Deutschland is polling at 5%, according to the latest INSA Poll. Who says the German election is dull? Barbie, Mutti Merkel and a monstrous personality cult: a campaign diary ahead of the 22 September German election. Germany: on … Read more

Eurosphere roundup: “Six years requested for Berlusconi

Six years requested for Berlusconi Italian prosecutors seek a six-year sentence for former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi for paying for sex with an underage girl. Cameron struggles to contain Eurosceptics With polling showing the EU is low on the list of voter priorities, Tory strategists fear eurosceptic ill-discipline will damage election prospects   Ideas on … Read more

Eurosphere roundup- break-up clock ticking with or without UK….

Eurozone: break-up clock is ticking from FT.com – World, Europe Policymakers can do nothing about the odds. The danger is that they are running out of time to ensure that a break-up comes in the form of shrinkage rather than collapse The new fiscal compact from The European Citizen by Eurocentric Yesterday’s neotiations have produced … Read more

Turkey still wants apology from Israel

Turkey wants Israeli apology for fatal raid from Yahoo news TURKEY’S prime minister has again accused Israel of “state terrorism” and called on the Jewish state to apologise and compensate victims of a raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. The Canadian Press: Turkish PM describes Israel flotilla raid “state terrorism,” demands apology ABDULLAH BOZKURT – … Read more

Euro roundup: European Union (EU) Commission Unveils Digital Agenda…

European Union (EU) Commission Unveils Digital Agenda to Boost Prosperity and Well-Being in Europe

from EU Pundit by Andis Kaulins
EUROPA – Press Release:
Digital Agenda: Commission outlines action plan to boost Europe’s prosperity and well-being

“[Abstract ]Implementing the ambitious Digital Agenda for Europe unveiled today by the European Commission would contribute significantly to the EU’s economic growth and spread the benefits of the digital era to all sections of society. Half of European productivity growth over the past 15 years was already driven by information and communications technologies (see IP/10/571) and this trend is likely to accelerate. The Agenda outlines seven priority areas for action: creating a digital Single Market, greater interoperability, boosting internet trust and security, much faster internet access, more investment in research and development, enhancing digital literacy skills and inclusion, and applying information and communications technologies to address challenges facing society like climate change and the ageing population. Examples of benefits include easier electronic payments and invoicing, rapid deployment of telemedicine and energy efficient lighting. In these seven areas, the Digital Agenda foresees some 100 follow-up actions, of which 31 would be legislative. The Digital Agenda is the first of seven flagship initiatives under the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (see IP/10/225).

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A good read on Euroscepticism (and a Euro roundup)

Nosemonkey interviewed: On euroscepticism from Nosemonkey’s EUtopia Forgot all about this, as the interview was originally conducted back in October, but it?s in the latest issue of Shift Mag, which focusses on Euroscepticism. Have a gander at the whole lot here or, below the fold, check out my responses to the following: To fix the … Read more

Membership by 2015?

That’s a Foreign Ministry hope or fantasy. I am not too pessimistic about the EU membership process but it is a bit early. Super-slowness is the rule and targetting 2015 is to fasten the process which could disorient all the parties:)
Ah well, while EU membership process is a little peripherialized in the current state of Turkish foreign policy making, still it makes news, still happenings. A huge roundup on related issues:
People gather under The Eiffel Tower, lighted in the colours ...

People gather under The Eiffel Tower, lighted in the colours of Turkey as part of events marking the “Season of Turkey in France”, in Paris October 6, 2009. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

Turkish FM: ?Turkey seeks EU membership by 2015?

Turkey is counting on joining the European Union by 2015 to bolster both its and the EU?s global role, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Friday. ?Even 2015 is too late, not only for us, it will be too late for the EU as well,? Davutoğlu said at the European Policy Centre in Brussels.

The Eiffel Tower is seen lighted in the colours of Turkey as ...

The Eiffel Tower is seen lighted in the colours of Turkey as part of events marking the ‘Season of Turkey in France’, in Paris October 6, 2009. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

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