Citizens’ consultations: An ambitious gamble to connect citizens with Brussels
France hopes to reconnect Brussels and European citizens through debates organised by civil society. Jean-Claude Juncker’s participation in the first event on 17 April has yet to be confirmed....
View ArticleEU ready to hit big US tech firms with 3% turnover tax
Large digital companies with significant revenues in the European Union such as Google and Facebook could face a 3% tax on their turnover under a draft proposal by the European Commission.
View ArticleAstana hosts little-publicised Central Asia summit
Only a couple of years ago, a summit of the five Central Asia countries would have been absolutely unthinkable. But the leaders came together on Thursday (15 March) and decided to hold such meetings...
View ArticleGas chief: ‘We expect at least 10% of the car market in 2030’
Just as Europe is engaging in a fierce race to electrify transport, makers of natural gas vehicles are coming out with bullish projections, saying they expect their car fleet in Europe to multiply...
View ArticleTweets of the Week: MEPs squawking, May isn’t baulking, goodbye Stephen Hawking
This week, in Parliament Selmayr’s appointment provokes more squawking, reacting to Russian poisoning, Theresa May is not baulking, and the world says goodbye to the amazing Stephen Hawking.
View Article‘We don’t want Brexit to be the flat burger’, campaign says
Brexit has been compared to many things, but the idea of being sold a big juicy burger and ending up with a flat, badly made one is a novelty.
View ArticleTwo years after the Brussels attacks, the terrorist threat remains very real
Returning foreign fighters, along with home-grown radicals, are heightening concerns that further attacks could be afoot. Dr. Demir Murat Seyrek and Amanda Paul argue there is room to beef-up security...
View ArticleAustria’s high hopes for Merkel 4.0
Good for Europe – this is how political observers in Austria comment on the election of Angela Merkel as the German Chancellor. Especially in European affairs, there are high hopes. EURACTIV Germany...
View ArticleBelgrade and Washington have differing views on Kosovo army
The visit of US Assistant Secretary of State to Belgrade made it clear yet again that the issue of Kosovo remains a thorn in Serbia's side and the biggest obstacle to its hopes of joining the European...
View ArticleConnecting Central Asia
The five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan – only recently represented one of the most disconnected regions of the world, but have now launched...
View ArticleHumanitarian crisis management benefits from new technologies
Weather alert systems, real-time communication and debit cards for refugees: the use of new technologies make humanitarian aid more effective, Commissioner Christos Stylianides said in an interview....
View ArticleTrans-Europe Express – Smells like teen spirit
Getting young people out to vote has frustrated national politicians across Europe for a generation.
View ArticleAstana meeting on Syria takes place without Western oversight
Kazakhstan and Russia urged the US on Friday (16 March) to engage "in a constructive dialogue" in the context of the unfolding tragedy in Syria. But no US or Western diplomats were present at the eight...
View ArticleRussia’s economy : still dependent on oil
After two years of recession caused by lower oil prices and western sanctions, Russia’s recovery benefits Vladimir Putin who is seeking a new term of office. However this improvement won’t last long...
View ArticleThe Brief – Europe united
Who says the European Union cannot be united? Or that it can no longer see eye to eye with Washington on anything?
View ArticleAvoid censorship, dilute fake with quality news
The EU High-Level Expert Group on ‘fake news’ published its report with recommendations earlier this week. Christophe Leclercq, one of its members, offers his views on its potential impact ahead of the...
View ArticleGermany breaks ranks with rush White House meeting on tariffs
The new German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier will meet with senior US officials on Monday and Tuesday (19-20 March) to discuss the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and aluminium shortly before...
View ArticleOECD report stokes last-minute criticism of EU digital tax plan
The OECD warned on Friday (16 March) against the European Commission’s plan to propose a new tax next week targeting digital companies, arguing that it may cause economic distortion and raise business...
View ArticleSeán Kelly MEP: Gas is ‘preferred option’ as back-up for renewables
Intermittent renewable electricity will need backup for at least the next 20 or 30 years, says Irish MEP Seán Kelly. As the least dirty among fossil fuels, natural gas is probably the most...
View ArticleCan advanced biofuels really work?
As part of the Renewable Energy Directive review (RED II), the Commission proposed a gradual phase-out of food-based biofuels, which should be replaced by “more advanced biofuels” that do not compete...
View Article