http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/index.php On trouvera ici une sélection des articles d'information et d'analyse publiés sur le site www.mondialisations.org du GERM, qui rendent compte de la richesse et de la diversité des figures des mondialisations contemporaines, ainsi que des débats qu'elles suscitent. FR Sat, 02 May 2026 23:34:39 Sat, 02 May 2026 23:34:39 germ.mondialisations@gmail.com (GERM) germ.mondialisations@gmail.com (GERM) 5 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0506-pour-une-geopolitique-de-l-euro The euro is a world currency. It is the official currency of 19 European States, and according to the June 2018 report by the European Central Bank (ECB) on the international role of the euro, it is by far, ahead of the pound, the yen and the renminbi, the world's second most important currency. The euro turned twenty on January 1st. Decided upon with the implementation of the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, its adoption aimed to consolidate the European market and support trade between its members. Mon, 11 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0506-pour-une-geopolitique-de-l-euro http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2019/elections-europ-ennes-et-quilibre-entre-les-sexes-5122812 Women across Europe don't tend to vote as much in European elections, compared with men, posing questions on the growing gender gap in both politics and representation in the European Parliament. Mon, 25 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000 http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2019/elections-europ-ennes-et-quilibre-entre-les-sexes-5122812 http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/droit-d-asile-5122160 Every year, almost 100,000 Europeans seek asylum in EU countries, and the number of applications continues to grow. Yet this is a phenomenon which remains at the margins of the debate on asylum �" and that on EU enlargement All the arguments that have broken out in Europe on the right of asylum in recent years �" and the accompanying racism �" are based on the idea that asylum seekers are those arriving from across the Mediterranean or Turkey, originating in Africa and Asia. In reality, among those who applied for asylum in EU countries last year there were almost 100,000 European citizens: Albanians, Turks, Russians, Georgians, Ukrainians, Armenians, etc. Thu, 30 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/droit-d-asile-5122160 http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/pro-eu-platform-calls-for-citizen-engagement-debate-to-respond-to-populism/?_ga=2.167318397.257585604.1533808529-1548974528.1525344510 While Eurosceptic populists team up ahead of the European elections in attempt to turn them into a referendum over the EU’s very existence, civil society is now calling on progressive forces to come together to defend the bloc. Millions of European citizens will go to the polls in less than a year amid fears far-right anti-EU political parties will increase their standing. Some of them are already in office, or were close to, in several member states including Italy, Poland, Hungary and Austria. Thu, 09 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/section/elections/news/pro-eu-platform-calls-for-citizen-engagement-debate-to-respond-to-populism/?_ga=2.167318397.257585604.1533808529-1548974528.1525344510 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41863&lan=EN The Commission is satisfied with its Western Balkans strategy, as it has triggered a new dynamic in the region. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Commissioner for Enlargement, Johannes Hahn, however, pleads for realism. Johannes Hahn is European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations since November 2014. Fri, 27 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41863&lan=EN http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/la-pologne-et-l-ue-5122126 Since December 2015 Brussels has been signalling its anxiety and addressing questions and warnings to Warsaw. The issues under dispute are primarily the rule of law, but also Three years of disputes Thu, 26 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/la-pologne-et-l-ue-5122126 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41847&lan=EN As US President Donald Trump continues to wage war on the American-led international order, Europeans can no longer assume that their interests are synonymous with those of the US. The time has come for the European Union to redefine its interests, and to develop a new strategy for defending them. Tue, 24 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41847&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41836&lan=EN The EU is open to palm oil and there is no ban on the commodity, the head of the European Union Delegation to Malaysia, ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez, said on 16 July in an apparent attempt to appease Asian producers. �oeThe European market is open to palm oil. I want to say that very clearly. And the EU is the second largest market for palm oil from Malaysia,” Malaysian media quoted Fernandez as saying on 16 July. Fri, 20 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41836&lan=EN http://voxeurop.eu/en/2018/travel-5122121 Almost 40 percent of European citizens have never placed a foot in any EU country but their own. This situation is most common in south-eastern countries, but also within some of the largest countries in the continent, such as Italy, Spain and Poland, where more than 50 percent of the population have never been abroad in their entire life. Tue, 17 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://voxeurop.eu/en/2018/travel-5122121 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41815&lan=EN n 2012, Sweden pledged, along with Norway, to increase electricity production from renewable energy sources by 28.4 terawatt hours (TWh) by 2020. Last year, Sweden upped the ante once again with the aim of adding a further 18 TWh by 2030. Taking into account already installed capacity, particularly wind turbines, and planned investments, Sweden’s Energy Agency estimated that production could top 19 TWh by the end of this year. Tue, 17 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41815&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41784&lan=EN The European Union is currently facing challenges more severe than even the debt crisis that threatened to sink the eurozone earlier this decade. North-South and East-West tensions in Europe have continued to rise since then, and are now being aggravated by growing uncertainty about the future of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government. Could these tensions finally tear the EU apart? Thu, 05 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41784&lan=EN http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/l-ue-et-les-migrants-5122102 Far fewer people are arriving by sea into Europe. Yet the debate at the political level appears to suggest a major migration crisis. The crisis is not migration. The crisis is mismanagement and indecision by political leaders. Five years ago, Italian and EU leaders stood in silence as they watched coffins pile up in a warehouse on the island of Lampedusa. "Coffins of babies, coffins with the mother and the child that was born just at that moment. This is something that profoundly shocked me," Jose Manuel Barroso, then EU commission president, said following his visit. Thu, 28 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/l-ue-et-les-migrants-5122102 http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/economie-et-politique-5122045 Two Eurosceptic forces are now governing Italy. On one hand the 5-Star Movement, the anti-system party of Luigi de Maio founded by the humorist Beppe Grillo. On the other, far-right xenophobic Liga led by Matteo Salvini. How could this have happened? How did one of the European Union's six founding members, host of Treaty of Rome in 1957, and for a long time the EU's most Europhile country, give a parliamentary majority to groups so hostile to European integration? Tue, 12 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/economie-et-politique-5122045 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41696&lan=EN Nine European Union (EU) member states are attempting to block curbs on the export of surveillance equipment to abusive regimes, in a retrograde move that could threaten human rights around the world, Access Now, Amnesty International, Privacy International and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said today. A position paper leaked to media reveals that the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Sweden and the UK are in favour of weakening human rights protections, in relation to surveillance exports, which were included in a Commission proposal and strengthened last year by the European Parliament. Mon, 11 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41696&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41695&lan=EN Once praised as a model for democratizing countries in the region, Turkey is now making headlines for election fraud and jailing political opponents. As Turkey prepares for its general elections on June 24 under state of emergency conditions, the results will be unlikely to loosen the grip President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has held on power since 2002. Turkey’s sharp turn towards authoritarianism raises a fundamental question about the supposed democratizing effect of liberal democracies on transitioning states. Wed, 13 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41695&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41684&lan=EN The euro may be approaching another crisis. Italy, the eurozone’s third largest economy, has chosen what can at best be described as a Euroskeptic government. This should surprise no one. The backlash in Italy is another predictable (and predicted) episode in the long saga of a poorly designed currency arrangement, in which the dominant power, Germany, impedes the necessary reforms and insists on policies that exacerbate the inherent problems, using rhetoric seemingly intended to inflame passions. Wed, 13 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41684&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/locations-courte-dur-e-5121987 The short-term property-rental platforms have seen the potential for influence over those EU bodies which are supposed to regulate them, and are now putting resources into it. "This is a mistake that needs sanctioning by European law." Such was the reaction of the Union nationale pour la promotion de location de vacances (UNPLV), the industry body representing short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, HomeAway and TripAdvisor, after presentation of France's Elan housing law in April, which increases the responsibility of digital tourism companies. Fri, 18 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/locations-courte-dur-e-5121987 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41646&lan=EN Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán produced a video message on Saturday (2 June) supporting the efforts of Macedonia’s main opposition party to block a solution to the long-standing name dispute with Greece. He praised its refusal to bend �oeunder pressure from foreign powers”. Thousands of supporters rallied in favour of Macedonia’s nationalist opposition VMRO-DPMNE party (European People’s Party-EPP) in Skopje on Saturday and against the ongoing talks between their government and Athens to find a solution to the name dispute that blocks the country’s entry to NATO and hopes of joining the EU. Mon, 04 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41646&lan=EN http://www.theglobalist.com/italy-elections-eurozone-ecb-economy/ France and Germany will be very flexible in their response to Italian demands, irrespective of the official rhetoric from Berlin and Paris. Politicians and financial markets remained surprisingly relaxed after the recent Italian election. Their expectation was that the newly elected parties would act like all Italian parties before and forget about the promises they had made before the election. Tue, 22 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.theglobalist.com/italy-elections-eurozone-ecb-economy/ http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/protection-des-donn-es-personnelles-5121943 For the researcher Olivier Ertzscheid, author of the New Declaration of Independence of Cyberspace, the forthcoming European General Data Protection Regulation is an important step forward for internet users. VoxEurop: Does the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which enters into force on 25 May, represent progress in returning autonomy to internet users or is it just another restriction on use of the internet by platforms and users? Fri, 20 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/protection-des-donn-es-personnelles-5121943 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41594&lan=EN Czech firms in the southwest are facing labour shortages as residents living close to the border are increasingly commuting to Germany for work. The main incentives are salaries, three times higher than the Czech average, and child benefits, the so-called kindergeld. Czech companies, though deeply dissatisfied with this, simply cannot compete with the conditions provided by German employers, which extend as far as the retirement of the departing workers. Tue, 15 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41594&lan=EN http://cafebabel.com/fr/article/en-roumanie-des-citoyens-funky-contre-les-derives-du-gouvernement-5b05453af723b325c3728951/ Despite warnings from the EU, the government seems to do exactly as it pleases. �oeThere is a side that thinks: 'Who are they to tell me what I must do in my own country?' in Poland and Hungary,” Elena explains. If Romanians are mainly pro-Europeans, then disenchantment with European values is making its way into society. �oeThe European dream was not well managed in this country. People had high hopes, but no one told them that it would take decades before western European standards could be achieved,” she says. The president of Funky Citizens meets regularly with members from Polish and Hungarian associations, and their meetings are increasingly becoming 'group therapies'. �oeThese three countries have proved that they had very pro-European civic societies, but unfortunately, European institutions communicate only with governments. We feel a bit neglected.” Thu, 17 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://cafebabel.com/fr/article/en-roumanie-des-citoyens-funky-contre-les-derives-du-gouvernement-5b05453af723b325c3728951/ http://www.voxeurop.eu/en/2018/romania-italy-5121973 The fortunes of Ragusa farmers rely in part on the forced labour of hundreds of migrant women from Romania who are reduced to slavery. The issue has been brought to the European Parliament, where many politicians are urging the EU to intervene. Silvia Dumitrache forewarns me: �oeI hope you have the time to listen”, to the story of what’s been happening over the last eleven years in Italy, a member of the European Union. (...) The story unfolds, ever more terrifying, as if it was drawn from some old novel about slavery. The scandal is not new; it reemerges periodically and expands like a soap bubble. There are police raids, visits from authorities, and occasionally there is some glimmer of hope. Sat, 05 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/en/2018/romania-italy-5121973 http://www.thenation.com/article/can-yanis-varoufakis-save-europe/ The idea of a unified Europe didn’t always elicit the current mixture of exasperation, boredom, and rage, in politicians and ordinary people alike. In fact, there was a time when the European Union seemed like a great initiative, especially on a continent ravaged first by two hot wars, then broken in half by a cold one. A permanent peace between neighboring nations founded on a common market and sealed with freedom of movement for all might have required bureaucratic impositions, but it also functioned as an insurance policy. Thu, 03 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.thenation.com/article/can-yanis-varoufakis-save-europe/ http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41564&lan=EN Open letter to the citizens and the heads of State and Government of the European Union In this period of economic recovery and relative stability, we Europeans are forgetting that not so long ago we stood on the edge of an abyss, and that our reality is still crippled by geopolitical and financial uncertainties, with record-high debt levels in Asia and America capable of triggering another worldwide economic crisis. Wed, 09 May 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41564&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41522&lan=EN Whether we are specialist or not, we all know more or less where the education system of our countries stands. We are all aware that our school systems are coordinated, monitored and assessed according to some vague �oeEuropean” standards or criteria. In general we don’t object to that: we consider the Europeanization of our education systems as a guarantee of quality, of good functioning and also as a sign of that international cooperation, of European integration, which we increasingly need to fend off provincialism and nationalism. Everything fine, then? No, not exactly. Unfortunately, things are more complicated than they appear. Let us see why. The Europeanisation of education systems is a recent development. Theoretically, education should be the responsibility of member states: education in European countries has always been a national affair, functional to the consolidation of the identity and culture of a community. Each educational system has had its own history, linked to the evolution of its policy, geography, traditions, language and society. Wed, 18 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41522&lan=EN http://en.qantara.de/content/eu-and-the-maghreb-fair-trade-for-a-level-playing-field To mitigate the root causes of flight and migration, Germanyʹs federal government is contemplating fair-trade agreements with refugee countries of origin. The North African experience shows this will require a re-think of EU policy. Most migrants and refugees who arrive at Europeʹs borders are fleeing countries whose most important trading partner is the European Union (EU). The exchange of goods with Europe has an impact on crisis countriesʹ economic and social conditions and affects the circumstances that drive people to abandon their homelands. Wed, 18 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://en.qantara.de/content/eu-and-the-maghreb-fair-trade-for-a-level-playing-field http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/la-slovaquie-apr-s-lassassinat-de-j-n-kuciak-5121907 The killing of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová set off a wave of protests throughout the country. Having already forced the resignation of a long-term Slovak Prime Minister there’s no telling how far they could go from here, says researcher Milan Nič. At the end of February, the murder of Slovak investigative reporter Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová shocked the country. Within days it sparked mass street anti-corruption protests that toppled populist Prime Minister Robert Fico and pushed his center-left ruling coalition to the verge of collapse. For now, it seems that a snap election has been avoided�"but the implications carry a powerful message beyond this small Central European nation. Mon, 26 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/la-slovaquie-apr-s-lassassinat-de-j-n-kuciak-5121907 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41439&lan=EN 2018 is a year for the European Commission to reflect on the priorities to give to the energy-climate issue. The Juncker Commission will publish a communication at the end of the spring regarding its energy-climate priorities for 2025. In view of this the present paper describes the areas which might be given to the next European Commission to turn the Union's ecological leadership into a lever for industrial development, growth and sustainable employment. Mon, 12 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41439&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/europe-des-citoyens-5121767 A new open and democratic Europe can come out from dynamic citizens and grassroots movements like Pulse of Europe, says one of its members, the author of "The European Spring" François Dupont. The European Union is a proto-state which can’t, by itself, transform into a robust and democratic European Rule of law, acceptable to all. We can neither move from a continental power adapted to the political rivalry that engulfs all the world’s large federal states, nor continue to haphazardly improve the intergovernmental EU. Fri, 19 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2018/europe-des-citoyens-5121767 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41355&lan=EN The Commission is presenting today guidelines and principles for online platforms to increase the proactive prevention, detection and removal of illegal content inciting hatred, violence and terrorism online. As announced by President Juncker in his As announced by President Juncker in his Letter of Intent accompanying his State of the Union speech of 13 September, the European Commission is presenting today guidelines and principles for online platforms. The aim is to increase the proactive prevention, detection and removal of illegal content inciting hatred, violence and terrorism online. The increasing availability and spreading of terrorist material and content that incites violence and hatred online is a serious threat to the security and safety of EU citizens. It also undermines citizens' trust and confidence in the digital environment �" a key engine of innovation, growth and jobs. Thu, 28 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41355&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41296&lan=EN Following the collapse of communism, many of us in Central and Eastern Europe had hoped that the region would steadily move toward liberal democracy, and that any obstacles en route to that goal could be overcome. But in many former communist countries, older systems of patronage and corruption have survived, and taken new forms. What we thought was a transitional phase has become a permanent state of affairs. Consider Hungary, which has become a mafia state during the seven years of Viktor Orbán’s rule as prime minister. Hungary is unique in that it moved toward liberal democracy and joined the European Union before changing course and heading toward autocracy. The rest of the region’s mafia states, such as Russia, Azerbaijan, and other Central Asian former Soviet republics, either passed through a period of oligarchic flux, or took a direct path from communist dictatorship to criminal enterprise. Wed, 21 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41296&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41287&lan=EN Many explanations for the fall of political parties have been advanced. Working-class voters’ move to the middle class did as much to kill off Western Europe’s communist parties as the failure of the Soviet regime. More broadly, in countries where coalition governments comprise parties with similar ideologies, it can be easy for voters to shift their loyalty. This is particularly true nowadays, as voters increasingly view parties as brands that can be replaced if they fail to keep up with consumer tastes, rather than as focal points of unassailable tribal loyalty. Moreover, voters nowadays are more and more likely to focus on one or two key policies, rather than a party’s entire program. Tue, 20 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41287&lan=EN http://saveliberaldemocracy.com/2017/05/30/the-unfair-assessment-on-the-failure-of-muslim-integration-in-western-europe/ Europe’s Muslim population draws an inordinate amount of attention given they comprise roughly six percent of the overall European population. Nonetheless, the string of terrorist attacks committed under the banner of Islam, and the refugee crisis have placed Muslims under intense spotlight, while bolstering the strength of anti-Muslim and anti-immigration groups. A growing sense of fear has further alienated Europe’s Muslim population and created a polarized environment. It is no surprise then that some analysts claim Western Europe’s Muslims are poorly integrated into society. Tue, 30 May 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://saveliberaldemocracy.com/2017/05/30/the-unfair-assessment-on-the-failure-of-muslim-integration-in-western-europe/ http://www.euractiv.fr/section/alimentation/news/slovak-study-fuels-concerns-about-lower-quality-food-in-eastern-europe/ A study carried out by the Slovak government has found significant quality differences in the same products sold in Slovakia and Austria. For several years there has been speculation about the dual-quality foodstuffs phenomenon, where multinational companies sell products under the same trademark and the same packaging but which actually contain different ingredients. In addition, sometimes the quality is also different, raising concerns about consumer health. Wed, 12 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/section/alimentation/news/slovak-study-fuels-concerns-about-lower-quality-food-in-eastern-europe/ http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41236&lan=EN Wed, 17 May 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41236&lan=EN http://saveliberaldemocracy.com/2017/04/21/nations-are-political-constructs/ Over the centuries the rulers of various parts of Europe tried to get their populations to feel a primary loyalty to the territory that they ruled over. They wielded myths of ‘nation’ and the nation’s enemies in order to do this. Their success varied. The monarchs of the Scandinavian countries, England, much of France, Poland, and the territories that became the Netherlands, were particularly successful. But there were always exceptions, where more local identities survived: Scotland, Catalonia, the Basque country, Bavaria, to some extent Wales and Brittany, many of the regions and cities of Italy. The whole business �" both the creation of national identities and local resistances to them �" was highly arbitrary. But the arbitrary can be very powerful if backed by powerful political forces and a lengthy history �" even (or perhaps even especially) a mythical history. This is no place for rationality! Fri, 21 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://saveliberaldemocracy.com/2017/04/21/nations-are-political-constructs/ http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/05/young-people-you-didnt-vote-and-now-you-protest/ The first obvious observation is that if the traditional intergenerational rift disappears, we will have little change in politics, as older voters are usually more conservative. And the second obvious observation is that citizens’ participation will progressively shrink, as the young will age. What is worrying is that we have too many polls on the reasons behind the political disenchantment of young people to think that the political system is unaware. On the contrary, many political analysts think that parties in power don’t mind abstentions in general terms. It shrinks the voters to those who feel connected, whose priorities are clear and simpler to satisfy, as the older generations feel more secure than the younger ones. And the theme of young people is disappearing in the political debate, or is merely rhetorical. A good example is that the Italian government devoted in 2016 a whopping 20 billion dollars to save four banks, while it dedicated a total of 2 billion dollars to create jobs for young people, in a country which has close to 40 percent youth unemployment. For youth, the message is clear: finance is more important than their future. So they do not vote, and they are less and less a factor in the political system. Tue, 16 May 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/05/young-people-you-didnt-vote-and-now-you-protest/ http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41165&lan=EN World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it. The contribution which an organised and living Europe can bring to civilisation is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. In taking upon herself for more than 20 years the role of champion of a united Europe, France has always had as her essential aim the service of peace. A united Europe was not achieved and we had war. Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity. The coming together of the nations of Europe requires the elimination of the age-old opposition of France and Germany. Tue, 09 May 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41165&lan=EN http://gefira.org/en/2017/04/07/heresies-or-inexplicable-collective-behaviour/ As we watch the so-called migration crisis, we pose to ourselves questions. What’s the sense, what’s the purpose? We are told we need workforce, yet there are millions of unemployed young Europeans; we are told we are paying for the sins of the yesteryear of colonialism, yet drawing people from the Third World, we strip the countries of origin of brains and hands i.e. act as colonialists. We are told these are refugees, yet we must get down to work to integrate them as if refugees by definition were not people who plan on returning to their war-torn countries after the conflict is over. We are told the Third-World immigrants are enriching us, yet we observe street riots, crime rate increase, reinforced police units in our streets and a number of East European countries defending themselves from being blessed with this enrichment. Fri, 07 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://gefira.org/en/2017/04/07/heresies-or-inexplicable-collective-behaviour/ http://www.eurozine.com/rethinking-europe/ Emmanuel Macron has broken from entrenched definitions of right and left in France and based a programme on liberalization and social justice. Sigmar Gabriel, the German Social Democrat foreign minister, has also sought to bring together the conflicting wings of his party. Here, the two discuss the need for positive campaigning on Europe, and why the future of the Union depends on a combination of investment and reform. With an introduction by Jürgen Habermas. This event, entitled ‘Which future for Europe?’, was hosted by the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin on 16 March 2017 and moderated by Henrik Enderlein, the Hertie School’s Vice-President. Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.eurozine.com/rethinking-europe/ http://www.socialeurope.eu/2017/04/the-politics-of-nostalgia/ Western democracies are facing a new threat: pessimism. Recent surveys reveal that 65 percent of Europeans and North Americans think the world is getting worse and that younger generations will be poorer than previous ones, with a mere 6 percent considering that things are better and will continue to get better. This sinister sense of decline is not only affecting our economies and individual behaviour (by dissuading investment and increasing stress), but it is also leading to unprecedented political consequences. Fri, 21 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.socialeurope.eu/2017/04/the-politics-of-nostalgia/ http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41106&lan=EN Social media not only serves as a source of news for nearly half of Europeans, but it also has made spreading fake news easier and faster. Six out of ten news items are shared without actually being read. MEPS raised concerns about the spread of disinformation, political propaganda and hate speech in plenary on 5 April. However, they disagreed on the best way to respond to the problem. Watch our video above for an overview of the debate. Mon, 10 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=41106&lan=EN http://www.euractiv.fr/section/europe-sociale-emploi/news/parliament-plenary-rejects-universal-basic-income/ The European Parliament’s plenary session voted today (16 February) against a universal basic income to compensate for the impact of robots on the labour market. By a broad majority, the Parliament adopted a non-legally binding report with recommendations to the European Commission on rules on robotics. Arguably, the report represents the first effort by legislators worldwide to prepare the regulatory ground for the emerging sector of artificial intelligence and advanced robotics. Despite the fact that most groups supported the recommendations, the plenary rejected the most controversial proposals. These were the recommendations for setting up a universal basic income, a robot tax and allowing consumers to collectively claim compensation for damages generated by intelligent machines. Mon, 20 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/section/europe-sociale-emploi/news/parliament-plenary-rejects-universal-basic-income/ http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2017/60-me-anniversaire-du-trait-de-rome-5120698 As the anniversary of the signature of the EU's founding treaties is approaching, a group of over 300 European academics and personalities are endorsing this appeal to relaunch European integration and inviting civil society, academia, young people and citizens to participate to the March for Europe in Rome on March 25. 25 March 2017 is the day of the 60th anniversary of the Rome Treaties which have made the EU project the most successful experiment of peace and integration ever. This date may go down history as yet another self-praising, boring, closed-door party of 27 EU leaders or as the germ of a first conscious, popular and patriotic European manifestation. Mon, 20 Feb 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/2017/60-me-anniversaire-du-trait-de-rome-5120698 http://blog.iddri.org/fr/2017/01/30/mondialisation-projet-leurope/ Today, globalisation is a disputed political project. Growing inequalities, the situation of �oelosers” and the �oedownwardly mobile”, and the lack of transparency in negotiations all cast doubt on the capacity of international trade to contribute to progress. Governments need to answer a question that is both simple and complex: what is the point of globalisation? Mon, 30 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0000 http://blog.iddri.org/fr/2017/01/30/mondialisation-projet-leurope/ http://fr.euronews.com/2016/12/30/roumanie-bulgarie-dix-ans-d-adhesion-a-l-ue-pour-quel-resultat Fri, 30 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://fr.euronews.com/2016/12/30/roumanie-bulgarie-dix-ans-d-adhesion-a-l-ue-pour-quel-resultat http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40748&lan=EN Of course, this is totally false news. But if you are reading this, It means that you’ve clicked and you may even have believed it… These days many rumors and misrepresentations circulate about migrants. For the International Migrants Day of 18 December, we wanted to shed light on this tendency to spread disinformation on this serious issue. European leaders and some media help convey received ideas about European migration policies and the situation of migrants arriving or living on European territory. Thu, 15 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40748&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40731&lan=EN Since the summer of 2015, Greece has (mostly) dropped out of the news, but not because its economic condition has stabilized. A prison is not newsworthy as long as the inmates suffer quietly. It is only when they stage a rebellion, and the authorities crack down, that the satellite trucks appear. In the interim, the focus in Europe has shifted to Brexit, xenophobic right-wing populism in Austria and Germany, and Italy’s constitutional referendum, which brought down Matteo Renzi’s government. Soon, attention will shift again, this time to France’s crumbling political center. But, lest we forget, the inane management of Europe’s debt crisis began in Greece. A minor country in the grand scheme of things in Europe became a test case for a strategy that could be likened to rolling a snowball uphill. The resulting avalanches have been undermining the EU’s legitimacy ever since. Tue, 20 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40731&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5118809-il-faut-un-nouveau-contrat-social-l-chelle-de-l-europe For the French essayist, the only way for the EU to avoid destruction at the hands of populist and nationalist parties is to revive its democratic forces and create a vision able to �oespeak to Europeans’ hearts”. We are faced with a social crisis that can either be resolved well �" by renewing the social contract �" or badly. It is clear today that people calling for a good solution are having trouble making their voices heard. Meanwhile, those urging a bad solution �" through nationalism, xenophobia, fear �" are enjoying great success. Wed, 14 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5118809-il-faut-un-nouveau-contrat-social-l-chelle-de-l-europe http://www.cafebabel.fr/culture/article/democracy-le-strip-tease-des-institutions-europeennes.html A black and white documentary that delves into the legal procedures of European institutions is not exactly the sexiest movie pitch ever made. Nonetheless, Swiss director David Bernet took on the daunting task, creating a beautiful and wistful movie on the mysteries of European power. Thu, 17 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.cafebabel.fr/culture/article/democracy-le-strip-tease-des-institutions-europeennes.html http://de.qantara.de/inhalt/der-iran-im-spiegel-westlicher-medien-unglaeubiges-staunen We apparently enjoy marvelling at how young people strive in the obscure theocracy to lead "a normal life". How nice it is to know that "our Western lifestyle" serves as a shining example for Iranian youth and as a "target of their desires". We convince ourselves that the young people will be able through the "power of subtle provocation" (Focus) to bring about the "end of the dictatorship" (Welt am Sonntag). [...] At any rate, Iran's leaders seem to be much more flexible and capable of learning than we like to think. Perhaps they have long since learned to accept raves and rock concerts as part of reality and even see some benefits in them. "The milder despotisms are the more permanent ones," wrote Peter Sloterdijk in a theoretical dissertation on "Stress and Freedom". This is because mild despotisms offer "subjects enough pleasant pastimes to compensate for existence under the yoke of subordination." Mon, 28 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://de.qantara.de/inhalt/der-iran-im-spiegel-westlicher-medien-unglaeubiges-staunen http://cat.elpais.com/cat/2016/11/22/internacional/1479854618_869834.html As Barcelona develops its plans for a future local currency, which is due to be launched next year, it is keeping a close eye on the example of Bristol, in the United Kingdom. It has been four years since the south-western English city launched the Bristol Pound, a currency that runs parallel to sterling, and seeks to promote the local business sector. Ciaran Mundy, the CEO of the Bristol Pound, has plenty of advice for the Catalan capital: �oeBe ambitious, and seek to include a great diversity of businesses,” he says. Wed, 23 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://cat.elpais.com/cat/2016/11/22/internacional/1479854618_869834.html http://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9-civile_des-apps-pour-r%C3%A9unir-r%C3%A9sidents-et-migrants/42597496 What’s the best way for newcomers to find a place in Swiss society? Help them to help themselves, according to a new generation of grassroots projects meant to integrate locals and immigrants that are finding support in high places. Fri, 18 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9-civile_des-apps-pour-r%C3%A9unir-r%C3%A9sidents-et-migrants/42597496 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5115262-l-europe-peut-elle-encore-soutenir-erdo The government has fiercely cracked down on those accused of being close to the alleged mastermind behind July’s attempted coup, and thisis slowly turning Turkey into an authoritarian regime. Complecent European leaders, starting with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, should stop supporting president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, says a Turkish academic based in Sweden. Tue, 15 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5115262-l-europe-peut-elle-encore-soutenir-erdo http://en.qantara.de/content/islam-and-violence-there-is-a-difference If responsible, enlightened voters can no longer distinguish between faithful Muslim democrats and religiously blinded Muslim extremists and as a consequence of which, all Muslims �" in the public discourse at least �" are tarred with the same brush, then we have a serious problem that is unsettling to many. For the numbers speak a far more alarming language here. The biggest victims of religious extremism are the Muslims themselves: anyone who refuses to believe that should take a look at the Middle East or simply at the refugees in their vicinity. This extremism cannot be tackled with repressive police measures, but also not with generalising, intimidating, Kulturkampf-style reporting, but instead with good integration work �" or in other words with political participation, equality before the law, social recognition, inclusion in the labour market, good educational work, the active combating of discrimination and religious information campaigns. Mon, 07 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://en.qantara.de/content/islam-and-violence-there-is-a-difference http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40556&lan=EN In the women’s movement in Central Europe, there are few moments to celebrate. Polish women successfully preventing a total ban on abortion from coming into law recently was one of them. While we may praise the success of Polish women’s �oeblack protest” �" where women across the country went on strike and dressed in black to mourn the loss of their reproductive rights �" one troubling question remains unanswered. Why did an EU member state even consider forcing women to carry deformed fetuses and imprisoning doctors for terminating pregnancies? Wed, 19 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40556&lan=EN http://www.liberation.fr/debats/2016/10/05/en-finir-avec-l-europe-anti-refugies_1519804 Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.liberation.fr/debats/2016/10/05/en-finir-avec-l-europe-anti-refugies_1519804 http://www.voxeurop.eu/es/content/article/5112837-en-polonia-se-han-creado-herramientas-para-preparar-un-estado-totalitario Since it came into power, the Law and Justice party has been slowly eroding the rule of law, says activist and president of the Committee for the Defence of Democracy Mateusz Kijowski. Last month he led anti-government and pro-European demonstrations in Poland and was recently awarded the European citizen's prize by the European Parliament. Fri, 21 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/es/content/article/5112837-en-polonia-se-han-creado-herramientas-para-preparar-un-estado-totalitario http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40372&lan=EN On 19 September 2016 the United Nations (UN) General Assembly collectively, and spectacularly, failed the 21 million refugees of this world. [...] The UN Summit had a reasonable aim: to share responsibility for the world’s refugees among states. [...] Those who do not want to take a fair share will find objections and cite reasons why it is unworkable. But that is a failure of leadership. It is also morally bankrupt and intellectually shoddy to fail to face up to reality. Tue, 04 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40372&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40360&lan=EN The aftermath of the United Kingdom’s unexpected vote in June to leave the European Union is being monitored closely. People all over the world �" and particularly in Europe �" want to know how Brexit will unfold, not just to manage its specific effects, but also to gain insight into what is likely to happen if other upcoming votes tip in favor of nationalist agendas. Mon, 26 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40360&lan=EN http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/politics/article/happy-as-a-dog-with-two-tails-hungarys-anti-hate-party.html The government's anti-migrant campaign has had its desired effect: xenophobia, hatred and misinformation are at an all-time high. However, while the opposition party has remained quiet on the issue, a pro-migrant campaign has sprung out of nowhere with boundless optimism and positivity. Wed, 28 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/politics/article/happy-as-a-dog-with-two-tails-hungarys-anti-hate-party.html http://www.oecd.org/migration/international-migration-outlook-1999124x.htm The 2016 edition of the International Migration Outlook analyses recent developments in migration movements and policies in OECD countries and selected non-OECD countries, and looks at the evolution of the labour market outcomes of recent immigrants in OECD countries. The report includes two special chapters: �oeThe economic impact of migration: Why the local level matters” and "International migration following environmental and geopolitical shocks: How can OECD countries respond?", as well as country notes and a statistical annex. Mon, 19 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.oecd.org/migration/international-migration-outlook-1999124x.htm http://www.oecd.org/fr/migrations/les-gouvernements-doivent-lutter-contre-le-rejet-de-l-immigration.htm The share of the public holding anti-immigration views has grown, driven by concerns that borders are insecure, immigrants stretch local services and some do not want to integrate. The 2016 International Migration Outlook stresses that systematic and co-ordinated action is needed to vigorously address these concerns and tap into the many opportunities that migration offers to recipient economies and societies. Mon, 19 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.oecd.org/fr/migrations/les-gouvernements-doivent-lutter-contre-le-rejet-de-l-immigration.htm http://en.qantara.de/content/integration-in-germany-what-is-required-of-us Germany has a racism problem. And our country has to think seriously about what it can do about it. In addition to discussing this problem openly, we have to call to mind our democratic responsibilities, define them clearly and insist that every member of society fulfils them. The incessant debate about what we can and must require of minorities in this country is getting us nowhere. [...] What's more, as a society, we bear responsibility for the people seeking protection here in Germany. After all, we are not entirely innocent of the misery that prevails in many of their countries. Wed, 21 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://en.qantara.de/content/integration-in-germany-what-is-required-of-us http://www.voxeurop.eu/de/content/article/5111788-warum-joseph-stiglitz-falsch-liegt Joseph Stiglitz, American economist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, has come out with a new book, The Euro : How a Common Currency Threatens the Future of Europe. [...] Still, he expects that ‘the end of the single currency does not mean the end of the European project.’ That position, however, betrays a deep misapprehension of the realities of Europe. Like most American economists, who hold strongly to the theory of ‘optimum currency areas’, Joseph Stiglitz has been sharply critical of the single currency project from the outset, back in the 1990s. The idea of optimum currency areas was first explored in the early 1960s by Canadian Robert Mundell, who won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1999 for his studies. Sat, 10 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/de/content/article/5111788-warum-joseph-stiglitz-falsch-liegt http://geab.eu/de/wut-der-menschen-demokratische-herausforderungen-globale-systemische-krise/ The biggest failure in the past 30 years of European integration is related to the enlargement policy of the ex-Soviet countries. This policy, essentially driven by the greed of Western European companies (and beyond), was carried on at the cost of the continent’s political integration as a whole, but particularly of that of the Eastern populations. We have often mentioned the low turnout in the European elections for this Eastern region, once so eager to enter the EU. The Eastern part of the EU is now a patchwork of countries driven by different motivations, integrated to different degrees and crossed by interests of all kinds. The risk of disintegration and conflicts is enormous and threatens the European project, maybe even more so than a Brexit hypothesis. Wed, 15 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://geab.eu/de/wut-der-menschen-demokratische-herausforderungen-globale-systemische-krise/ http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40201&lan=EN While voters like the freedoms and funding that membership brings, governments in central and eastern Europe have seized on the Brexit vote to drive the dagger into EU institutions and their leadership, portraying it as an existential turning point. (...] there are paradoxes. Polling by Pew Research in June this year found Poles and Hungarians still had the most favourable view of the EU of any member nations. [...] No former communist EU member would vote to leave, she says, unlike some western counterparts. But many citizens have been disappointed by membership. Tue, 30 Aug 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40201&lan=EN http://www.socialeurope.eu/2016/08/nansen-passport-solution-legal-statuses-refugees/ In times of crisis in the Middle East, in North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, the ‘long summer of migration’ in 2015 will not be the end of migration flows to Europe. A humanitarian plan is necessary to show refugees solidarity and to deepen cooperation in EU refugee and migration policy. The EU-Nansen passport could be a first step in this direction. Fri, 05 Aug 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.socialeurope.eu/2016/08/nansen-passport-solution-legal-statuses-refugees/ http://www.cafebabel.fr/politique/article/lue-et-les-balkans-ni-avec-toi-ni-sans-toi.html "The EU needs countries with enthusiasm and a desire to be part of it. Some leave, others join. The EU has to change its strategies and take advantage of the fact that many states, such as the Balkan states, have not thrown in the towel" Thu, 28 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.cafebabel.fr/politique/article/lue-et-les-balkans-ni-avec-toi-ni-sans-toi.html http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40103&lan=EN The final chapter of a story is being written with Brexit. It is the story of the EU as symbolic incarnation of Europe. Whatever the outcome of the impending negotiations between the EU and the British government, the political involution called Brexit puts an end to the Europe built by the founding fathers. It also delivers a painful message: the integration of societies in the Old Continent through the primacy of markets, economics, currency and geopolitical servitude to the United States will guarantee neither peace nor prosperity to these societies. And it won’t set them on the path to their union either [1]. Wed, 13 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40103&lan=EN http://www.cetri.be/Union-europeenne-Haiti-un Tue, 05 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.cetri.be/Union-europeenne-Haiti-un http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40061&lan=EN When Merkel organized a meeting of the leaders of the six original founders of the EU, in Berlin, she invited Donald Tusk, the President of the Council, but not Jean-Claude Juncker, who is the President of the Commission. And Wolfgang Schauble, the German minister of Finance, has launched an appeal: �oeit is time to bring back Brussels under the control of the states. �oe It is curious that the debate on Brexit has completely ignored the creeping action to end the supranational character of the EU. What is in process, in fact, is something of extreme importance: the end of internationalism and return to the national. And that is one of the fruits of globalization…. Japan, China and Russia are at the peak of nationalism.. Thu, 07 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40061&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40018&lan=EN US President Franklin D. Roosevelt once proclaimed that �oethe only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” The United Kingdom’s �oeBrexit” referendum, in which just over half of those who voted chose to leave the European Union, proved that he was not exactly right. We must also fear the people, like Britain’s populist leaders, who prey on public fears to bring about truly terrifying outcomes. In this case, the outcome may well lead to the EU’s disintegration. Sun, 26 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=40018&lan=EN http://www.ipsnews.net/2016/06/what-if-turkey-drops-its-human-bomb-on-europe/ Will the rapid�"though silent escalation of political tensions between the European Union and Turkey, which has been taking a dangerous turn over the last few weeks, push Ankara to drop a �oehuman bomb” on Europe by opening its borders for refugees to enter Greece and other EU countries? The question is anything but trivial�"it is rather a source of deep concern among the many non-governmental humanitarian organisations and the United Nations, who are making relentless efforts to fill the huge relief gaps caused by the apparent indifference of those powers who greatly contributed to creating this unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Thu, 23 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.ipsnews.net/2016/06/what-if-turkey-drops-its-human-bomb-on-europe/ http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/news-brief/5092561-une-nouvelle-carte-d-europe-de-la-corruption Since 1995, when it was first calculated, Transparency Internationals’ Corruption Perception Index has established itself as the go-to reference on corruption levels. Norway comes in 5th in this index. The new ranking, in which Norway comes in first, is established according to a new Index of Public Integrity calculated by the ANTICORRP project, a EU-founded research group. The index, the researchers claim, measures corruption through objective variables, instead of relying on the perception of corruption levels in a country. Thu, 09 Jun 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/news-brief/5092561-une-nouvelle-carte-d-europe-de-la-corruption http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39803&lan=EN Divorce is not an option these days. But nor is the kind of marriage that the Islam scholar Tariq Ramadan advocates. Ramadan, a grandson of the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, is a Swiss citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom who argues that Islamic ethics and values should be injected into the European system. Europe would then not just tolerate Islam, but actually embrace it as an integral part of itself. Thu, 05 May 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39803&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5081286-sauvons-notre-europe Our Europe, the most impressive political construction of modern times, cannot stand by as national governments jeopardise its democratic, economic, social, cultural and environmental model. They have shown inertia and distrust when faced first with economic crisis, then with refugees and most recently with terrorism. Each successive threat has been worsened by a lack of cooperation and coordination between European governments. Mon, 09 May 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5081286-sauvons-notre-europe http://www.euractiv.fr/section/l-europe-dans-le-monde/news/cracks-appear-in-eu-acp-unity-at-cotonou-meeting-in-dakar/ Fri, 06 May 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/section/l-europe-dans-le-monde/news/cracks-appear-in-eu-acp-unity-at-cotonou-meeting-in-dakar/ http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5076350-ne-bougeons-plus EU circles had made a decision toward the end of last summer that �oeRefugees and asylum-seekers of Syrian and other origins are entering the EU territory via Turkey. This huge human displacement which has proved to be unmanageable for us can be only prevented by Turkey. Everything should be done to make this happen.” What does that �oeeverything” include? Sat, 23 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5076350-ne-bougeons-plus http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39692&lan=EN From the rubble of two world wars, European countries came together to launch what would become the world’s largest experiment in unification and cooperative, shared sovereignty. But, despite its impressive achievements over the decades, the European project now risks disintegration. Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39692&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39586&lan=EN The European Central Bank’s latest policy moves have shocked many observers. While the goal �" to prevent deflation and spur growth �" is clear, the policies themselves are setting the stage for severe instability. These policies are, in essence, the latest in a string of attempts by the ECB to address the fallout of the collapse of the massive bubble that formed in southern Europe in the early years of the euro. Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39586&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39579&lan=EN One of the saddest ironies of this year’s commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union is that Hungary and Poland, always the most restless of the Soviet empire’s captured nations, are now led by men mimicking Russian President Vladimir Putin’s governing style. They, too, are hollowing out independent democratic institutions and suppressing citizens’ fundamental freedoms. As the old saying goes, we become what we hate. After the fall of communism, Poland and Hungary declared that they were Eastern European countries no more. Instead, they were part of Central Europe �" Europa Srodkowa, the Poles called it �" or even of Western Europe, on par with Austria. Today, however, they are embracing Putin-style authoritarianism, to the point that the European Union may impose sanctions against them. Such reprimands are fully deserved. Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39579&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39573&lan=EN No terrorists have come from the Arab world. All those involved until now, were Europeans, born and raised in Europe. Most were petty criminals or marginalized people, not at all observant, who become indoctrinated while serving prison terms for their crimes or through social networking. They were in fact nihilist, who found in ISIS dignity and escape from a life without work and a future. Europe has found 6 billion dollars to keep the refugees at bay, after spending more than 7 billion in military expenses in the Middle East. If that money would have been invested in the ghettos were Muslims live in Belgium, France and Great Britain, probably terrorism today would have been far less. Polarization is never helpful for democracy and tolerance. A group of 50.000 militants (in a world of 1.3 billion Muslims), is able to change our lives, reduce our individual privacy and freedom, and increase militarism and surveillance. If we do not get out of this trap of a clash of civilizations, Europe will change deeply and forever, because the phenomenon of terrorism is here to stay with us for generations… It took nearly two centuries for Europe to get rid of the wars of religion. In the 30 years war (1618-1648), 8 million out of a total population of 110 million, the majority of them civilians lost their lives. Will history help us to face the present? Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39573&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39516&lan=EN One of the many games pundits and politicians are playing these days is to spell out why and how the European Union (EU) is going to collapse, is already collapsing. Anyone who follows the news worldwide knows all the standard explanations: Grexit and Brexit will only lead to other exits; nobody wants more migrants (refugees) in their country; Germany has too much power, or not enough; ultra-rightwing forces/parties are rising almost everywhere; the Schengen Agreement providing visa-less movement is being suspended in most countries that had adopted it; unemployment is unstoppably growing. I am not here giving my views about whether the EU is good or bad, should or should not be supported or undermined. Rather, I wish to analyze what I think will actually happen. Will the institutions that now make up the European Union continue to exist ten or twenty years from now? I suspect they will. To see why I think so, let us review together what may make Europeans �" both the sophisticated and the "ignorant" �" hesitate about taking the fatal step of dismantling what they have been working so hard to create for the last seventy years or so. There are some reasons that one might call economic, others that are geopolitical, and finally still others that might be called cultural. Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39516&lan=EN http://politicalcritique.org/world/eu/2016/stokfiszewski-the-demand-for-democratization-is-a-reaction-to-the-eus-original-sin-interview/# The division emerging between societies and their governments, in which key economic and social issues are resolved without any participation of the people, is the most important development of the last few years - Agata Mazepus in conversation with Igor Stokfiszewski. Thu, 17 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://politicalcritique.org/world/eu/2016/stokfiszewski-the-demand-for-democratization-is-a-reaction-to-the-eus-original-sin-interview/# http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5062546-l-europe-est-paralysee-par-la-peur Instead of selling its soul in a deal with Turkey that stops migrants from entering Europe, the EU would do better to help member states who virtually have to deal with the wave of refugees alone. �oeI want a reference to press freedoms, otherwise I will not sign.” Italian Prime minister Matteo Renzi was right to point the spotlight on freedom of expression in Turkey before signing an agreement on refugees with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5062546-l-europe-est-paralysee-par-la-peur http://www.blog-iddri.org/2016/03/14/securite-dapprovisionnement-electrique-en-france-faisons-nous-le-tour-de-la-question/ Mon, 14 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.blog-iddri.org/2016/03/14/securite-dapprovisionnement-electrique-en-france-faisons-nous-le-tour-de-la-question/ http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39440&lan=EN But Europe is facing three internal horses of the apocalypse, and a fourth external one, which is even more ominous. All this is coming together, and all the odds are against the dream of an integrated Europe. The first is the divide between Eastern and Western Europe, which comes just after the North-South divide. The North-South divide was over the austerity that Germany and other protestant countries wanted to impose over the catholic and orthodox south. The chosen battleground was Greece, and the South lost. A very inflexible German Minister of Finance, Schauble, even went so far as to veto any program for growth at the last G20, and has just declared that Greece, flooded with refugees, �oeshould not get distracted from its task of reforming its economy”. Sun, 13 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39440&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39386&lan=EN The financial and economic crisis has severely affected middle-income groups �" mainly defined in the report as those groups in the income range between 60 to 200 per cent of the median income. Almost all of the EU countries studied have experienced a decrease in the size of their middle class, and the share of total income going to the middle class. �oeA weaker middle class leads to lower aggregate demand, puts a break on long-term growth and may cause social and political instability,” said Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead, co-author and editor of the report. Mon, 29 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39386&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5052369-une-aubaine-pour-l-europe �oeA drama… an irreversible dismembering” of Europe, says Manuel Valls, French Prime Minister. But would enlargement. The UK always encouraged this policy, seeing it as an effective way of diluting the Franco-German partnership that has called the shots on the continent. Fri, 19 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5052369-une-aubaine-pour-l-europe http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39241&lan=EN The most severe refugee crisis since the Second World War, with over 60 million refugees or internally displaced people across the globe, requires a radical strengthening of the EU migration system and a coordinated European response. Over the last six months, the European Commission has worked for a swift, coordinated European response, tabling a series of proposals designed to equip Member States with the tools necessary to better manage the large number of arrivals. Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39241&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39238&lan=EN The Government of Colombia and the European Commission announced today the start of negotiations towards a bilateral agreement on trade in organic products between the European Union and Colombia. Both sides confirmed their interest to swiftly conclude, at the end of the negotiations, an agreement that would allow a larger market for organic farmers, reduced burden for companies and more organic products available to consumers. Although not part of the Trade Agreement in force since 2013 between the EU and Colombia and Peru, this new agreement will be earmarked in the privileged relationship of cooperation and trade facilitation that has been established since then. Mon, 08 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39238&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39175&lan=EN Germany’s embrace of a more active global role has taken place within a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape �" one in which German and other European leaders have had to accept that most of the rest of the world does not share their preference for multilateral decision-making. They have also had to come to terms with the fact that the United States is no longer prepared to take the lead in every crisis, and that rising global powers �" such as China, India, and Brazil �" are not yet prepared to contribute effectively to maintaining a stable global order. Meanwhile, the dividing lines between domestic and international affairs have become increasingly blurred. The refugee crisis, for example, demands policy interventions in areas as diverse as defense, development aid, European integration, domestic security, and social-welfare policy. Fri, 05 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39175&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39167&lan=EN Therefore, there is no doubt that at this moment a referendum for Europe would never pass. Citizens do not feel that this is ‘their’ Europe. This is a serious problem for a democratic Europe. Will the European Union survive? Probably, but it will be more a kind of common market for finance and business rather than a citizen’s project. It will also hasten the reduction of European power in the world, and the loss of European identity, once the most revolutionary project in modern history. Fri, 05 Feb 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39167&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39085&lan=EN Today, the European Commission proposed to facilitate the exchange of criminal records of non-EU citizens in the EU by upgrading the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS). This is a key action of the European Agenda on Security, which aims to improve cooperation between national authorities in the fight against terrorism and other forms of serious cross-border crime. This initiative will ensure that ECRIS, which is already widely used for exchange of criminal records of EU citizens, will be used to its full potential. Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39085&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39084&lan=EN The drastic fall in global oil prices has received a fair amount of attention of late. However, while oil has been capturing the headlines, other carbon intensive fuels have also been experiencing equivalently impressive price falls. What might this mean for climate policy in Europe, especially this year when the EU will revise its policy framework for the promotion of renewable energy technologies? These price trends matter for climate policy because they are key determinants of the wholesale prices of energy for power, heating and cooling, and transportation. To be sure, they are not the only determinants of these prices�"for instance, falling electricity prices also reflect production overcapacity, which is in turn linked to slowing demand, overbuilding during the boom, and a short-run consequence of needing to inject renewables into the system before other plants are ready to retire. Nevertheless, lower fossil fuel prices compound these effects. Mon, 25 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39084&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5039518-une-europe-plusieurs-vitesses The Dutch Presidency of the European Union released on Thursday 21 January at the European Commission in Brussels a new ranking of public integrity for the 28 EU member states. The ranking represents the first objective measurement of public integrity in the EU. It is part of a report on trust and integrity commissioned to a group of research institutes collaborating on the EU FP7 ANTICORRP project led by Professor Alina Mungiu-Pippidi at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin. The ranking, shown in the table, lists Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands firmly on top, with Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia competing for the bottom of the ranking. Thu, 21 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5039518-une-europe-plusieurs-vitesses http://opendemocracy.net/democraciaabierta/fernando-betancor/fragmentaci-n-la-espa-ola Spain celebrated general elections on Sunday the 20th of December and the result was an even worse than predicted fragmentation of the political landscape. Although the governing Partido Popular of Mariano Rajoy won the greatest number of seats, the scandal-ridden party fell well short of the majority of 173 seats needed to form a government. To make matters worse, the centrist Ciudadanos party of Albert Rivera did considerably worse than expected after climbing steadily in the polls in the run-up to the election. This means that a Populares+Ciudadanos coalition would still far short of the majority needed to govern and gives the Spanish Left a powerful blocking position, which they have promised to exercise. Mon, 11 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0000 http://opendemocracy.net/democraciaabierta/fernando-betancor/fragmentaci-n-la-espa-ola http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39002&lan=EN Political realignments are to be expected in democracies; indeed, democratic institutions are designed to make them possible. Generally, the constitution does not change, or changes only slowly, whereas a new party or coalition redefines the policy agenda and reforms the legislation. This combination of rigidity and plasticity enables democratic regimes to adapt to shifts in citizens’ preferences. The same does not apply to Europe, however. First, political change is not synchronized. At any given moment, some countries may have voted for radical parties, while others have not (or simply have not held elections). This clash of legitimacy is what the Greek government initially failed to understand last spring when it sought to ease austerity measures: Syriza had received a mandate for change from Greek voters, but other countries’ representatives had not received such a mandate. Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=39002&lan=EN http:// Most of the unsolved issues of 2015 �" be it the migrants’ crisis, the high unemployment or terrorism �" will still be running in the coming year. But the British referendum over EU membership, probably due in June, will outweigh them all, says the co-founder of Wake Up Europe! Bill Emmott Thu, 31 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http:// http://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/cas-mudde/2015-and-struggle-for-europe-s-core Devastating terrorist attacks, months of insecurity about the Eurozone, huge electoral victories for populist parties, an unprecedented refugees crisis... there is no doubt that 2015 was Europe’s annus horribilis. Sure, European integration and liberal democracy had been challenged before. The 1992 Maastricht Treaty did not only create the foundations of the current European Union, but also gave birth to a slow but steady growing Euroscepticism. Populist parties have been stable features of some European countries since the late 1980s. And counter-terrorism has undermined liberal democracy at least since 9/11. Mon, 28 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/cas-mudde/2015-and-struggle-for-europe-s-core http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38970&lan=EN There is an alarming political shift to the right occurring on both sides of the Atlantic, linked to the growing force of openly chauvinist political parties and figures: Donald Trump in the United States, Marine Le Pen in France. Other names could be added to the list: Hungary’s prime minister, Victor �"rban, who advocates �oeilliberal democracy,” or Jaros�"aw Kaczy�"ski and his quasi-authoritarian Law and Justice party, which now rules Poland. The reasons for such parties’ rise and success vary greatly at the national level. But their basic positions are similar. All of them are raging against the �oesystem,” the �oepolitical establishment,” and the EU. Worse, they are not just xenophobic (and, in particular, Islamophobic); they also more or less unashamedly embrace an ethnic definition of the nation. The political community is not a product of its citizens’ commitment to a common constitutional and legal order; instead, as in the 1930s, membership in the nation is derived from common descent and religion. Mon, 28 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38970&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38912&lan=EN The rise of radical populist, eurosceptic and even europhobic trends, on the right and the left, highlights an economic and political crisis in European liberal democracy. The economic liberalism has not only been linked to an excess of neo-liberal reforms but also to the disaster of the financial crisis. The crisis in economic liberalism is reflected in a political crisis, a sufficiently clear symptom of which is the resurgence of populism and extremism in many European States. The basic principles of our regimes of freedom have to be revived and reasserted urgently, as the terrorist attacks in France have reminded us, since these have undermined the vital fundaments of liberal democracy: the right to safety and security, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of thought etc ... Mon, 14 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38912&lan=EN http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2015-11-26-korablyova-en.html Hannah Arendt once remarked that the rights of man proved to be unenforceable in postwar Europe. Currently, observes Valeria Korablyova, the refugee crisis looks like proving the idea of Europe itself to be unenforceable. So what will remain if equality and solidarity finally fail to become the principles of cooperation between EU member states now riven by common fears? The refugee crisis burst onto the scene in Europe this year in a way that surprised many. Paradoxically enough, the influx of refugees �" manageable in terms of numbers and existing facilities �" activated a chain of serious consequences. It challenged not only the effectiveness of the European Union's institutional structure but also the viability of the European project itself. The lack of trust between member states, the division between "Old" and "New" Europe that had never ceased to exist, the absence of shared EU policies and strategies: this is to name but a few sensitive issues that the crisis exposed. Thu, 26 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2015-11-26-korablyova-en.html http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5015944-la-force-vient-de-l-action-collective Why have corruption scandals become so salient in the news? In countries like Brazil, India, Ukraine or the Balkans, many rounds of elections in the past decades have sometimes changed rulers, but never an entrenched system of spoiling public resources that new office winners inherit in full. The Arab spring’s hopes of clearing away corrupt dictators seem to be on the wane �" in Iraq, after many years of American administration, corruption remains the number one problem. And nobody should be beyond suspicion, as the world is mostly corrupt, and few governments and societies are constrained by their societies to stay clean and fair, argues Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, a Berlin based academic, in a brand new book recently released by Cambridge University Press, The Quest for Good Governance. How Societies Build Control of Corruption. Rather than the usual moralising normative approach, her book oscillates from history to social psychology to argue that governance, which she defines as the rules of the game determining who gets what from public resources in a given society, is far more difficult to change than political regimes as it results from a balance of power between a society and its rulers. Wed, 25 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/5015944-la-force-vient-de-l-action-collective http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/climat-environnement/villes-regions-et-changement-climatique-319256#group_extlinks World leaders will meet in Paris from 30 November in a bid to secure an agreement to limit global warming to no more than two degrees above pre-industrial levels. EU heads of state and government agreed on their climate and energy targets last November, a cut of at least 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, and an increase in the share of renewables and energy efficiency to 27% by 2030. While that deal, the cornerstone of the bloc’s negotiating position in Paris, is a step in the right direction, the European Union has long battled with the problem of poor implementation of its environmental laws. But regions are increasingly picking up the slack. Through organisations such as the Committee of the Regions and initiatives like the Covenant of Mayors, regional authorities are directly communicating with EU policymakers about how best to fight climate change. Fri, 06 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/climat-environnement/villes-regions-et-changement-climatique-319256#group_extlinks http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/oct/28/cameron-to-confront-norway-option-anti-eu-campaigners David Cameron is to signal his determination to maintain Britain’s membership of the EU by issuing a direct challenge to anti-EU campaigners who claim the UK could negotiate a semi-detached relationship with Brussels. Amid growing fear among pro-EU Tories that the Leave campaign is making most of the running in the EU debate, Cameron will say he sees little future for Britain alongside European countries that have opted out of the EU. The prime minister, who has faced strong pressure from pro-European Tories to highlight the benefits of the UK’s EU membership, will speak out during an appearance at the Northern Future Forum in Reykjavik, Iceland. Wed, 28 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/oct/28/cameron-to-confront-norway-option-anti-eu-campaigners http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38635&lan=EN The European Union's asylum policy now has a face. It is that of Aylan, the drowned Syrian child lying alongside his brother on a Mediterranean beach. The macabre reality suffered by the thousands of dead migrants who preceded him heralded a turning point in the existential crisis of the common asylum policy. This has now been brought into the one realm of any worth: that of the Union's values. To form an opinion we have to know what we are talking about. The extent of the crisis explains the difficulty in responding to it. Mon, 12 Oct 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38635&lan=EN http://www.eutopiamagazine.eu/en/fran%C3%A7ois-de-bernard/speakers-corner/greece-mirror-stage-germany Any kind of stubborn persistence is suspicious and holds some sort of deeper meaning. German doggedness in favor of a Grexit is a case in point and must be mulled over. Indeed, we cannot content ourselves just by thinking that Wolfgang Schäuble and Sigmar Gabriel have simply lost their minds. IN BRIEF • German persistence in favor of Grexit demands serious attention • The "Greek case" reveals an inner conflict whose wellsprings are far upstream of being merely economic or political • Greece has become the mirror of Germany, as the one that exposes the foundations of Germany’s fake well-being Fri, 04 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.eutopiamagazine.eu/en/fran%C3%A7ois-de-bernard/speakers-corner/greece-mirror-stage-germany http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38471&lan=EN It is a well-known fact that EU trade policy is a significant tool for development policy. Indeed, the EU has a long tradition of granting preferential access into its market for exports from developing countries. Ultimately, an increase in the exports of developing countries should result in a stimulus to their global economic activity and development. Mon, 06 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38471&lan=EN http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/greece-agrees-to-a-punishing-ultimatum-from-european-leaders/2015/07/13/4b6c2f2a-28f3-11e5-960f-22c4ba982ed4_story.html Greece acquiesced early Monday (13 July) to a punishing ultimatum from European leaders, agreeing to lightning-fast passage of reforms and a pledge to strap itself in a fiscal straitjacket to save its banks and stay in the euro. After a marathon, 17-hour overnight session �" one of the most contentious diplomatic standoffs in European Union history �" the announcement of an unanimous deal was made in Brussels. It requires approval from several European parliaments. Mon, 13 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/greece-agrees-to-a-punishing-ultimatum-from-european-leaders/2015/07/13/4b6c2f2a-28f3-11e5-960f-22c4ba982ed4_story.html http://euobserver.com/justice/129430 Spain and the UK issued almost half of all new EU citizenships in 2013. The figures, released on Wednesday (1 July) by the EU statistical office, Eurostat, show Spain accounted for around 23 percent (225,800) of all citizenships granted in the EU, while the UK accounted for 21 percent (207,500). In relative terms compared to population size, Ireland and Sweden come out top. Meanwhile, the statistics show a spike in the number of people obtaining EU citizenship when compared to previous years. In 2013, the total was just under 1 million, a 20 percent jump from 2012. Thu, 02 Jul 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/justice/129430 http://euobserver.com/justice/129315 Plans agreed by EU leaders at a summit in Brussels to distribute asylum seekers without binding quotas exposed EU institutional and national divides. Discussions had kicked off Thursday (25 June) evening but quickly ran into the early morning hours on Friday with one EU source describing the debate as �oeemotional”. �oeWe've had a very engaged debate, which reflects the topic,” said Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel. The dispute is rooted in a plan proposed by the European commission in May to relocate 40,000 asylum seekers from Greece and Italy to other member states over a two-year period. Fri, 26 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/justice/129315 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38414&lan=EN For Georgia the Western choice seems obvious. The country’s government is firmly committed to EU and NATO membership, despite the ruling Georgian Dream coalition's partial restoration of ties with Russia and last year’s sacking of pro-Western Defense Minister Irakli Alasania. Public opinion surveys show that society consistently and overwhelmingly favors closer ties with the West. Indeed, Georgia continues to sprint westward. But an increasing number of people are asking whether there really is gold in the Western hills. For everything the country has done to prove its commitment to the Euro-Atlantic cause, tangible results are far from evident. Mon, 15 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38414&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38411&lan=EN �oeThe majority of those crossing the Mediterranean are taking terrible risks because they have to, not because they want to,” said Judith Sunderland, senior Western Europe researcher at Human Rights Watch and author of the report. �oeSaving lives and increasing safe pathways into Europe should be the EU’s priorities, while ensuring that all cooperation with countries of origin and transit countries respects international human rights standards.” Fri, 19 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38411&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38402&lan=EN The EU must critically re-assess its relations with Russia, which are profoundly damaged by Russia's deliberate violation of democratic principles, fundamental values and international law with its violent action and destabilisation of its neighbours , MEPs said on Wednesday. The EU must now devise a soft-power contingency plan to counter Russia’s aggressive and divisive policies, they said. Wed, 10 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38402&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38378&lan=EN Consumers are often unaware that the food they eat or the clothes they buy may have been produced by people working under conditions of severe labour exploitation. A new report by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) shows that while the EU has legislation prohibiting certain forms of severe labour exploitation, workers moving within or migrating to the EU are at risk of becoming victims. Tue, 02 Jun 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38378&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38346&lan=EN The Commission adopted the first set of concrete measures to implement the European Agenda on Migration, proposed a draft budget for 2016, had an orientation debate on fair corporate taxation and met UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Wed, 27 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38346&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38335&lan=EN Today’s unprecedented level of instability at EU borders demands that the EU and its member states shoulder more responsibility for their security and defence now, say MEPs in a resolution voted on Thursday. They urge member states to use Common Security and Defence Policy tools more effectively, improve the fit between external and internal security measures, and pool and share resources, so as to counter terrorism, fight organised crime, strengthen cyber-defence and cope with migration. Thu, 21 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38335&lan=EN http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/eu-riga-summit-eastern-partnership-by-carl-bildt-2015-05/french As the European Union’s leaders gather in Riga for a summit with the six members of the EU’s �oeEastern Partnership,” many recall the dramatic meeting in Vilnius of November 2013. It was there that Ukraine’s then-president, Viktor Yanukovych, under heavy Russian pressure, refused to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement that had been negotiated from 2007 to 2012. Wed, 20 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/eu-riga-summit-eastern-partnership-by-carl-bildt-2015-05/french http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0357-the-new-european-neighbourhood-policies-require-a-differentiated-and-politically-driven-approach In 2003 the Communication Wider Europe set out the European Neighbourhood Policy as follows: "the EU should aim to develop a zone of prosperity and a friendly neighbourhood - a 'ring of friends' - with whom the EU enjoys close, peaceful and co-operative relations. In return for concrete progress demonstrating shared values and effective implementation of political, economic and institutional reforms, including in aligning legislation with the acquis, the EU's neighbourhood should benefit from the prospect of closer economic integration with the EU." Since this text was drafted, a radically new geopolitical situation has emerged, typified by the Arab uprisings and a new Russian domestic and foreign policy. Even though this explains by and large the present issues experienced by the European neighbourhood policy, this new context should not mask the successes and the shortfalls of the latter. We might legitimately wonder about the rationale behind this geographic premise whereby all neighbouring countries enjoyed the same lay out and the same outlook simply because they were close by. Mon, 18 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0357-the-new-european-neighbourhood-policies-require-a-differentiated-and-politically-driven-approach http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38305&lan=EN Tue, 31 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38305&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/news-brief/4925004-comment-les-lobbys-sapent-les-democraties-europeennes The latest report published by the NGO Transparency International on lobbying in Europe was carried out in 19 European countries and identifies "inappropriate political interference and a practically unlimited influence of commercial interests", as El Confidential reports. Only seven countries �" Austria, Slovenia, France, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland and the UK �" "have a specific law or ruling on lobbying. This absence [in other countries] means a virtually unrestricted influence of commercial interests in citizens' everyday lives." Fri, 01 May 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/news-brief/4925004-comment-les-lobbys-sapent-les-democraties-europeennes http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0354-le-royaume-uni-et-l-union-europeenne-rester-ou-sortir The debate in Britain on its relationship with the European Union is as confusing as it is noisy. As the UK Independence Party (UKIP), created to give a voice to opponents of EU membership, continues to perform well in both polls and elections, support for British membership of the EU has reached its highest level since 1991. Mon, 27 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0354-le-royaume-uni-et-l-union-europeenne-rester-ou-sortir http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38267&lan=EN Last year saw the election of a new European Parliament and the appointment of a new European Commission. The Annual Review describes some of the challenges lying ahead in ensuring that environmental concerns stay high on the political agenda in Europe. The outcomes of two major international conferencCommes, - the first on Sustainable Development Goals in September 2015 in New York, and the second the International Climate Change Conference in December 2015 in Paris, - will be the proof of how far Europe is committed to demonstrating high levels of environmental ambition. WWF will be at the forefront of making sure Europe continues to lead in these areas. Tue, 21 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38267&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38260&lan=EN MEPs vote this week on the �"�315 billion investment plan to boost the EU economy and new rules to ensure safety equipment works as advertised. A new working group on robotics meets for the first time, while MEPs also discuss a proposal to urge the Swiss Government to respect its agreements on migration with the EU. In addition the Parliament’s political groups will be preparing for next week’s plenary session. Mon, 20 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38260&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38254&lan=EN Armenia and Turkey should use the centenary of the Armenian genocide to renew diplomatic relations, open the border and pave the way for economic integration, says the European Parliament in a resolution voted on Wednesday. MEPs stress the need for Turkey to recognise the Armenian genocide, so as to pave way for �oegenuine reconciliation”. They also commend the statement by Pope Francis on 12 April honouring the centenary of the genocide. Thu, 16 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38254&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38241&lan=EN Foreign affairs MEPs on Tuesday underlined the need for inclusive, constructive and sustainable political dialogue on reforms and for greater cooperation between the political forces in Albania and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In their assessment of the progress made in 2014, they restate their ongoing support for the EU integration process in the two countries but say both need to advance, inter alia, with their democratic processes, tackle corruption and put in place a professional and depoliticised public administration. Tue, 14 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38241&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38240&lan=EN Today the Commission granted aid worth �"�66.5 million from the European Union Solidarity Fund to Bulgaria, Italy and Romania following three natural disasters in 2014. The aid �" �"�1.98 million to Bulgaria, �"�56 million to Italy and nearly �"�8.5 million to Romania �" aims to partially cover the emergency costs of recovery operations following floods. It will particularly help restore vital infrastructure and services, reimburse the cost of emergency and rescue operations, and cover some of the clean-up costs in the disaster-stricken regions. Thu, 09 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38240&lan=EN http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/euro-finances/berlin-rejette-les-demandes-de-reparation-de-la-grece-313608 Greece’s demands for WWII reparations from Germany, amid the debate over solving its debt problems, were met with criticism from Germany's Minister of Economic Affairs, and calls from the Greens for a ruling in the International Court of Justice. EurActiv Germany reports. Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/euro-finances/berlin-rejette-les-demandes-de-reparation-de-la-grece-313608 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38212&lan=EN On 7th May next Britons will be renewing the 650 members of the House of Commons, the lower chamber of the British parliament. Only one thing is certain about just one month before the election: the two "major" Parties - the Conservative and Labour �"will retain their position as the country's two main Parties. However neither is due to win an absolute majority. Speculation is running high about possible coalitions: Conservative with Liberal Democrats and the Ulster Democratic Party (DUP), or Labour with the LibDems and the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), or the Green Party of England and Wales (G) or the Welsh party Plaid Cymru-Party (PC). The formation of the future governing majority is the real issue at stake in the upcoming elections in the UK. Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38212&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38194&lan=EN The Council of Europe is launching today �"in co-operation with five partner organisations�" an Internet platform aimed at protecting journalism and promoting the safety of journalists. Via the platform, the partner organisations �"Article 19, the Association of European Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders�" will issue alerts concerning media freedom threats and will bring them to the attention of the Council of Europe institutions. Thu, 02 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38194&lan=EN http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/eu-dairy-farmers-look-east-for-profit/ After more than 30 years, the European Union’s milk quota system came to an end on Tuesday (31 March). For the first time since 1984, dairy farmers will not face fines from the EU if they exceed their protection quotas. Global demand for milk is expected to exceed supply by 25 billion litres a year by 2020, and many EU member states will want to export to Asia, and China in particular. Wed, 01 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.europeanvoice.com/article/eu-dairy-farmers-look-east-for-profit/ http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38158&lan=EN With the threat of terrorism growing every day, the task of Gilles de Kerchove, the EU’s counter-terrorism coordinator, becomes increasingly more important. It’s his job to coordinate the Council's work in combating terrorism, keep an eye on all the instruments available to the EU and make policy recommendations. We talked to him about how terrorism should be fought and the role the European Parliament could play. Mon, 30 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38158&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38151&lan=EN �oeWe will defeat radicalism only if we stay united” said Parliament’s First Vice-President Antonio Tajani, opening Tuesday’s high-level conference of MEPs and religious community leaders on the rise of religious radicalism and fundamentalism. EP President Martin Schulz, who closed the debate, said �oeWe have to have the courage to take people on board and encourage dialogue between religions”. Wed, 25 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38151&lan=EN http://euobserver.com/digital/128143 The European Commission has said it wants to abolish geo-blocking, the practice of limiting access to online services based on a user's location. The EU’s internal market and geo-blocking �oecannot coexist", the EU's commissioner for digital single market, Andrus Ansip, said Wednesday (25 March). He listed a set of goals to feature in the digital strategy he will publish in May. Wed, 25 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/digital/128143 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38087&lan=EN The 28 member states of the European Union are to integrate their markets and increase security of supply under a policy set known as the Energy Union. Investments of �"�200 billion ($227 billion) per year are expected over the next decade. Wed, 25 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38087&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38061&lan=EN It’s true that in the last few years there has been an enormous decline on all fronts and in all areas. The world, Europe and Spain undoubtedly suffer its effects. Our political leaders have surrendered to the rules of the markets and obediently subject our society to �oeaustericide.” It is irrelevant that their formulas don’t work and that there’s no end in sight to their budget cuts. Spaniards are now �oecheaper” than a majority of the rest of Europeans. With the worsening of our standard of living we are also (paradoxically) more submissive, accepting whatever they impose. But not all of us, because a new type of citizen power is emerging that is so strong that it provokes much fear among members of the �oeestablishment.” Perfectly aware of what this means, they are attempting to stop this trend by any and all means at their disposal. Thu, 26 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38061&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38053&lan=EN To protect the EU against terrorist attacks and yet safeguard citizens’ rights, MEPs advocate de-radicalisation programmes, stepping up checks at Schengen area external borders, and better information exchange among EU member states. They urge member states to make faster progress on the Data Protection Package, so that talks could proceed in parallel with those on an EU Passenger Name Record proposal and thus deliver a full set of EU data protection rules. Wed, 11 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38053&lan=EN http://euobserver.com/news/127619 The Swiss government has outlined legislation aimed at putting in place curbs on EU migration backed in a referendum last February. As part of a bill published on Wednesday (11 February), quotas will apply to foreign workers based in the Alpine country for more than four months from February 2017, while recruitment priority will be given to Swiss residents. The bill would require firms to demonstrate that no Swiss workers qualify for a job before obtaining a work permit for a foreign national to fill the post. Thu, 12 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/news/127619 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38003&lan=EN Without a doubt, the intransigence of European authorities has nourished the way for Athens to adopt positions closer to those of Moscow. To date, the creditors maintain their refusal to modify the terms of debt repayment (Greece has a debt of 315 billion euros, 175% of their GDP). Weeks before the election, the European troika (made up of the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission) had made it clear that if Athens dared to abandon the programmes of structural adjustment, sources of external finance would remain closed. Wed, 04 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=38003&lan=EN http://euobserver.com/news/127331 EU-US trade talks are �oein troubled waters” and need a �oefresh start for parliament to approve an agreement”, the chairman of the assembly’s international trade committee has said. Speaking on Wednesday (21 January), Bernd Lange, a German centre-left MEP who authored the parliament’s initial recommendations based on the past 18 months of talks, urged the European Commission, which is negotiating on behalf of the EU, to be more open about the progress of negotiations. Mon, 19 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/news/127331 http://euobserver.com/foreign/127287 Even Russia’s friends, for the most part, showed little appetite for relaxing sanctions in �oestrategic” EU talks in Brussels. Summing up the debate, EU foreign relations chief Federica Mogherini told press there was a �oeconsensus” they should stay in place until Russia pulls back from east Ukraine. She said ministers are happy to talk to Russia on �oeglobal” issues, such as counter-terrorism or climate change. But with fighting flaring up in Ukraine and with Kiev reporting that two battalions of Russian troops invaded its territory as the ministers were meeting in the EU capital, she added that �oethe latest developments on the ground are not encouraging” in terms of EU-Russia ties. Tue, 20 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/foreign/127287 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37941&lan=EN Countries providing high quality jobs and effective social protection as well as investment in human capital have proved to be more resilient to the economic crisis. This is one of the main findings of the 2014 Employment and Social Developments in Europe Review, which has looked back to the consequences of the recession. It also stresses the need to invest in the formation and maintenance of the right skills of the workforce to support productivity, as well as the challenge of restoring convergence among Member States. Thu, 15 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37941&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37935&lan=EN The European Commission published its analysis of the almost 150,000 replies to its online consultation on investment protection and investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). The Commission asked the public for their views on a possible approach to protecting investments and settling investment-related disputes between private investors and governments. A key question in the consultation was whether the EU’s proposed approach for TTIP would achieve the right balance between protecting investors and safeguarding the EU’s right and ability to regulate in the public interest. Tue, 13 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37935&lan=EN http://euobserver.com/justice/127165 Top officials at an international ministerial meeting in Paris on Sunday (11 January) vowed an immediate response to last week's Charlie Hebdo attack. As well over a million people attended a march in Paris, a handful of EU ministers along with US attorney general Eric Holder announced their intentions to step up counter-terrorism efforts. "Only if we work together, through sharing of information, by pooling our resources, will we ultimately be able to defeat those who are in a struggle with us about our fundamental values," said Holder. Mon, 12 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/justice/127165 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37879&lan=EN After Lithuania adopts the euro �" on the 15th anniversary of the launch of the single currency in 1999 �" some 337 million Europeans in 19 Member States will share the same currency. This is a major achievement for Lithuania and for the euro area as a whole. On January, 1, Lithuanians start withdrawing euro cash and paying for their purchases in euro. Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37879&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37825&lan=EN As of 13 December 2014, new EU food labelling rules, adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2011, will ensure that consumers receive clearer, more comprehensive and accurate information on food content, and help them make informed choices about what they eat. Thu, 11 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37825&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37751&lan=EN The European Commission today announced a �"� 315 billion Investment Plan to get Europe growing again and get more people back to work. Wed, 26 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37751&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37741&lan=EN A new ILO report calls for additional measures to support jobs and enterprises, plus social protection and a stop to further wage cuts in the country. Mon, 24 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37741&lan=EN http://euobserver.com/political/126587 The European Commission has announced a new transparency drive, promising that contacts with lobbyists will have to be publicly recorded and that documents relating to a controversial EU-US trade deal be made available to all MEPs. Wed, 19 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/political/126587 http://euobserver.com/justice/126568 The European Commission is looking into long-term plans to create an entirely new EU border guard service with an independent command and control centre. While details are scant, a EU source said setting up such a supra-national border agency that goes beyond the remit of the current EU border agency Frontex would be twenty years in the making. Wed, 19 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/justice/126568 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37723&lan=EN Speech by Johannes Hahn, European Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiationsto Members to the European Integration Committee of the Parliament of Montenegro. Fri, 21 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37723&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37711&lan=EN Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations and Irakli Garibashvili the Prime Minister of Georgia meet today in Brussels and signed a Financing Agreement launching a new programme in support of regional development in Georgia. Tue, 18 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37711&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37695&lan=EN The European Parliament gave its consent to the EU-Moldova Association agreement, which includes a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), on Thursday in Brussels. The deal will form the backbone of strengthened political association and economic integration between the EU and Moldova and provide for mutual free market access. Thu, 13 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37695&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37694&lan=EN The European Commission has today proposed an amendment to the rules on the adjustment of EU budget contributions from Member States. This comes after the current automatic system had this year led to a demand for exceptionally large additional payments from some countries. The proposed changes to the rules would provide for an extended deadline for payment until 1 September of the next year, interest free, under exceptional circumstances. Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37694&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37693&lan=EN Long-awaited draft plans to allow EU member states to restrict, or ban, the cultivation of crops containing genetically modified organisms on their own territory even if it is allowed at EU level won the support of the Environment Committee on Tuesday. MEPs voted to remove the Council-backed idea of a phase of negotiations with the GMO company, and supported plans to allow member states to ban GMO crops on environmental grounds. Tue, 11 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37693&lan=EN http://www.france24.com/fr/20141110-catalans-votent-oui-independance-catalogne-espagne-artur-mas-madrid/ Catalonia's nationalist government vowed to step up its secession drive after over two million people voted in a symbolic independence referendum which Spain's central government dismissed it as "useless". Voters were asked for their response to two questions. The first was: "Do you want Catalonia to be a state?". If answered affirmatively, the ballot paper posed a second question: "Do you want that state to be independent?". Results showed 80.7 percent voted yes to both questions. Mon, 10 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.france24.com/fr/20141110-catalans-votent-oui-independance-catalogne-espagne-artur-mas-madrid/ http://www.theeuropean-magazine.com/joerg-friedrich--2/9192-reorganizing-the-european-landscape The excitement around the Scottish independence referendum has subsided, but the problem remains that ethnic groups and national minorities question state structures in Europe. Only for a few European countries do the state borders coincide with the distribution areas of national identities. The notion of the nation state �" strictly speaking �" is deceptive. Sovereign states are contingent entities in Europe: On the one hand, they break cultural connections; on the other hand, they combine �" and often poorly �" communities which differ in traditions, habits, and values under the same roof of a legal, economic, and political organization. It is time to think about the future political map of Europe. Thu, 06 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.theeuropean-magazine.com/joerg-friedrich--2/9192-reorganizing-the-european-landscape http://euobserver.com/news/126491 The ECB's "extensive quantitative easing measures" posed "risks for long-term economic growth in the euro area, not least by dampening the member states' willingness to implement reforms and consolidate their public finances", the German Council of Economic Experts (GCEE) said in its annual report. Wed, 12 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/news/126491 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/aide-au-developpement/le-partenariat-economique-ue-afrique-incompatible-avec-la-politique German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Africa Commissioner, Günter Nooke issued harsh criticism of the EU’s joint free trade deal with multiple African countries, claiming the EPA counteracts Europe’s development policy efforts. Thu, 06 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/aide-au-developpement/le-partenariat-economique-ue-afrique-incompatible-avec-la-politique http://euobserver.com/news/126361 The European Central Bank (ECB) formally assumes its new role as the chief supervisor of EU banks, a major milestone in the creation of the bloc's banking union. The making of the banking union, whose legal framework was agreed by lawmakers inside two years, is the biggest shift of power over economic policy making since the introduction of the euro. Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/news/126361 http://euobserver.com/economic/126370 The European Commission lowered its growth forecasts for the EU and the eurozone area, blaming the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and urging governments to do more to spur investments. According to the Autumn forecast growth in the EU is now expected to be 1.3 percent of GDP this year, compared to 1.6 percent projected in spring, while the eurozone economy is to grow by only 0.8 percent, compared to the earlier projection of 1.2 percent. Tue, 04 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://euobserver.com/economic/126370 http://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2014/oct/29/europe-divided-drifting-feels-like-1914-2014 With every day that passes it gets easier to see how Britain might accidentally stumble into withdrawal from the European Union into a highly uncertain future by 2017. More than that, with every passing day that the eurozone fails to address its economic malaise and political paralysis, it becomes easier to imagine the EU’s eventual break-up into … well, no one knows, but it will not be pretty. Wed, 29 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.theguardian.com/world/blog/2014/oct/29/europe-divided-drifting-feels-like-1914-2014 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/france-italy-trim-2015-budgets-win-eu-blessing-309528 France and Italy unveiled plans to trim their deficits more than previously planned in last-minute pitches to get clemency from the European Commission on their 2015 budgets. The European Union's executive arm has to decide whether to reject France and Italy's 2015 draft budgets for failing to make sufficiently large improvements in their public finances. Tue, 28 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/france-italy-trim-2015-budgets-win-eu-blessing-309528 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/priorites-ue-2020/les-dirigeants-de-lue-adoptent-des-objectifs-energie-climat-flexibles A European Union goal to cut greenhouse gases by 40% by 2030 sets the pace for a global deal to tackle climate change, pitting heavy industry against green business. Industry bosses said they faced big challenges to adapt, while greener firms said the EU had aimed too low to spur low-carbon investment and climate campaigners said concessions to polluters made it "a dirty thirty", not a 2030 deal. The 2030 targets will follow existing 2020 goals that the EU is on track to meet. Its emissions are already nearly 20% below the level in 1990, the international benchmark year. Fri, 24 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/priorites-ue-2020/les-dirigeants-de-lue-adoptent-des-objectifs-energie-climat-flexibles http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37581&lan=EN Living standards continue to diverge within many economically advanced countries as poorer regions struggle to catch up with richer ones. Half of the 34 OECD countries have seen the income gap between their best-off and worst-off regions widen since the 2008 crisis, according to new OECD research. Mon, 06 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37581&lan=EN http://www.globalresearch.ca/de-dollarization-europe-and-china-start-direct-trading-in-euros-and-renmibi/5405337 De-dollarization has been an ongoing theme hidden just below the surface of the mainstream media for more than a year as Russia and China slowly but surely attempt to �oeisolate” the US Dollar. Until very recently, direct trade agreements with China (in other words, bypassing the US Dollar exchange in bilateral trade) had been with smaller trade partners. On the heels of Western pressure, Russia and China were forced closer together and de-dollarization accelerated from Turkey to Argentina as an increasing number of countries around the world realize the importance of this chart. Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.globalresearch.ca/de-dollarization-europe-and-china-start-direct-trading-in-euros-and-renmibi/5405337 http://www.hamburg-summit.com/2014/ On October 10 and 11, 2014 over 500 experts from the business, political and academic world will come together at the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce to discuss the state of the Sino-European economic relations. We are delighted that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the "Hamburg Summit" closing lunch on October 11, 2014 as a guest of honour of the Chinese government and one of the keynote speakers. The EU institutions will be represented by Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, and Karel De Gucht, EU Trade Commissioner. The German government will be represented by Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Minister of Foreign of the Federal Republic of Germany. Fri, 10 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.hamburg-summit.com/2014/ http://allafrica.com/stories/201409171650.html Before they went away on the one truly 'religious' festival in the EU calendar - the month-long summer vacation each August - EU trade negotiators hurriedly initialled the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement, a free trade agreement between Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa and the European Union. Wed, 17 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://allafrica.com/stories/201409171650.html http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/food-blog/european-food-law-political-menu-safety-lobby Tue, 22 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/food-blog/european-food-law-political-menu-safety-lobby http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/low-german-infrastructure-investment-worries-experts-a-990903.html Germany has long had a reputation for excellent infrastructure. But in recent years, both public and private investment has dwindled dramatically, and officials are increasingly concerned about how to solve the problem. They have good reason to be worried. Thu, 18 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/low-german-infrastructure-investment-worries-experts-a-990903.html http://www.friendsofeurope.org/Contentnavigation/Publications/Libraryoverview/tabid/1186/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3829/Why-Global-Europe-must-change-in-an-anxious-age.aspx Federica Mogherini’s appointment as the new European Union foreign policy chief offers an opportunity for an overhaul of EU foreign and security policy. With many EU leaders, ministers and senior officials slow to respond to world events given Europe’s traditionally long summer break, the 2014 summer of death and violence has left the reputation of �oeGlobal Europe” in tatters, highlighting the EU’s apparent disconnect from the bleak reality surrounding it. When she takes charge in November along with other members of the new European Commission, led by Jean-Claude Juncker, Mogherini’s first priority must be to restore Europe’s credibility in an increasingly volatile and chaotic global landscape. Thu, 04 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.friendsofeurope.org/Contentnavigation/Publications/Libraryoverview/tabid/1186/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3829/Why-Global-Europe-must-change-in-an-anxious-age.aspx http://www.globalresearch.ca/german-supermarket-giants-demand-return-to-gmo-free-fed-poultry/5398922 Germany’s top supermarkets, the powerhouses of Europe when it comes to retail, have delivered a blow to the biotech industry by forcing the German poultry industry to return to the use of non-GMO feed. Tue, 02 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.globalresearch.ca/german-supermarket-giants-demand-return-to-gmo-free-fed-poultry/5398922 http://www.egmontinstitute.be/publication_article/the-eu-regime-on-biofuels-in-transport-still-in-search-of-sustainability/ Like other regions of the world, the EU is developing biofuels in the transport sector to reduce oil consumption and mitigate climate change. To promote them, it has adopted favourable legislation since the 2000s. Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.egmontinstitute.be/publication_article/the-eu-regime-on-biofuels-in-transport-still-in-search-of-sustainability/ http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/english-say-scots-will-pay-a-heavy-price-for-referendum.25092377 Voters south of the Border want a cut to Scottish annual public spending of almost £1,400 per person if there is a No vote, and a refusal to share the pound in the event of independence. Wed, 20 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/referendum-news/english-say-scots-will-pay-a-heavy-price-for-referendum.25092377 http://dw.de/p/1Cuwb Joining their American colleagues, more than 100 German authors have written a protest letter against online retailer Amazon. John von Düffel told DW why he signed the letter, and why it also takes readers to task. Thu, 14 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://dw.de/p/1Cuwb http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/3997441-le-multiculturalisme-est-il-depasse The era of multiculturalism collapsed when Europeans ceased to understand each other. Now we have entered a period of postmulticulturalism, where society blindly accepts that all cultures are equally good, according to a Polish philosopher. Sat, 26 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/3997441-le-multiculturalisme-est-il-depasse http://www.voxeurop.eu/en/content/article/4794619-empower-people The fact that citizens of democratic regimes criticise the failure of those regimes to reach their stated objectives, and even doubt their ability to do so at all is part of democracy itself. That's no excuse for ignoring the depth of today's global crisis of democracies, and the particular intensity of this crisis in Europe. Fri, 18 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/en/content/article/4794619-empower-people http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0321-europe-power-and-the-sea Globalisation is leading to ever greater interdependence between populations and zones in the use or transformation of resources. The rarefaction of some resources and the significant growth of consumption, as well as the low cost of maritime transport and major price differences in labour have changed the old autarkic balance. Trade and flows are now factors of wealth Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/european-issues/0321-europe-power-and-the-sea http://www.euractiv.com/sections/trade-industry/us-ambassador-eu-anthony-l-gardner-beyond-growth-ttip-must-happen?__utma=1.633617839.1403786355.1403786355.1405605019.2&__utmb=1.4.10.1405605019&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1403786355.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(dir The United States and Europe must work constructively to finalise the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership not only to boost jobs and growth. "There are critical geostrategic reasons to get this deal done, and every day I am reminded of the global context of why we are negotiating TTIP," said US Ambassador to the EU, Anthony Gardner in an exclusive interview with EurActiv. Wed, 16 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/trade-industry/us-ambassador-eu-anthony-l-gardner-beyond-growth-ttip-must-happen?__utma=1.633617839.1403786355.1403786355.1405605019.2&__utmb=1.4.10.1405605019&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1403786355.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(dir http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37116&lan=EN Lithuania should join the euro on 1 January 2015, recommends the European Parliament in a resolution voted on Wednesday. This vote is in line with a European Commission recommendation and political backing from EU heads of state or government at the June EU Council summit. Wed, 16 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37116&lan=EN http://www.euractiv.com/sections/languages-culture/european-court-upholds-french-ban-full-face-veil-303233 The European Court of Human Rights upheld France's 2010 ban on full-face veils in public on Tuesday (1 July) but acknowledged the law could appear excessive and feed stereotypes. Wed, 02 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/languages-culture/european-court-upholds-french-ban-full-face-veil-303233 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0320-reformer-l-union-europeenne-quelles-methodes-quels scenarios The crisis has highlighted the limits of the economic and political governance of the European Union and more specifically that of the euro zone. Given the limits of the present EU treaties and the difficulty in planning their revision in the short term, what methods are there available and what options are possible to strengthen Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)? Mon, 07 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0320-reformer-l-union-europeenne-quelles-methodes-quels scenarios http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0320-reformer-l-union-europeenne-quelles-methodes-quels-scenarios The crisis has highlighted the limits of the economic and political governance of the European Union and more specifically that of the euro zone. Given the limits of the present EU treaties and the difficulty in planning their revision in the short term, what methods are there available and what options are possible to strengthen Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)? Mon, 07 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0320-reformer-l-union-europeenne-quelles-methodes-quels-scenarios http://politika.lv/article_files/2553/original/EU_decision_making_petijums.pdf?1391777868 This study aims to analyse the issue of how well do the new members state of the EU use the rights to initiate, to prepare, and to take decisions at the European Union level, from an unusual angle �" namely, how well have the various EU member states managed to integrate their own civic society organisations (CSOs) into forming their national positions on EU legislative proposals and policy documents? Fri, 07 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://politika.lv/article_files/2553/original/EU_decision_making_petijums.pdf?1391777868 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37040&lan=EN Growth and employment, strengthening citizens’ rights and a stronger role for Europe in the world will be Italy’s priorities during its 6-month presidency of the EU. Fri, 04 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37040&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37025&lan=EN Mr Schulz is the first President in the history of the European Parliament to be re-elected for a second two and a half year term. Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37025&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37024&lan=EN This improvement is particularly marked for goods markets, while services continue to be the main sources of dissatisfaction. Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37024&lan=EN http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/elargissement/lue-accorde-lalbanie-le-statut-de-candidat-ladhesion-303043 Albania has finally been accepted as an official EU membership candidate. European affairs ministers agreed to start Albania's EU membership process, but warn that further progress depends on sustained efforts to reform. Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/elargissement/lue-accorde-lalbanie-le-statut-de-candidat-ladhesion-303043 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37000&lan=EN Giving the EU a stronger role in protecting human rights could actually cement public support for the Union and the values it embodies. Doing so would require effective communication and leadership from EU governments, and commitment from EU institutions. But a Union that actually protects the rights of those living inside it would be a powerful rejoinder to those who assert that Europe is a bankrupt idea. Thu, 19 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=37000&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36993&lan=EN Seven political groups have now been recognised as fulfilling the necessary criteria and will be starting their work at next week’s plenary session in Strasbourg. Parliament rules foresee that political groups should have at least 25 MEPs from seven different member states. Read on to find out more about the political groups and their leaders. Wed, 25 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36993&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36992&lan=EN The first act of the newly-elected European Parliament will be to elect its President. The acting President will preside over the election of the new President, under Rule 14 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure. Thu, 26 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36992&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/4782716-la-valse-des-postes The probable nomination of the President of the European Commission at the European Council in late June is only the first stage in a process that will renew the leadership of European institutions �" a political and diplomatic game of musical chairs marked by rituals and secrets that is played out between the capitals of the continent. Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/4782716-la-valse-des-postes http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/royaume-uni-en-europe/addition-salee-pour-le-royaume-uni-en-cas-de-sortie-de-lue-302958 The British Conservative candidate for European Parliament President has warned that leaving the European Union could cost the United Kingdom its seat on the United Nations Security Council. Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/royaume-uni-en-europe/addition-salee-pour-le-royaume-uni-en-cas-de-sortie-de-lue-302958 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0311-2004-2014-bilan-d-une-decennie-d-elargissements Following the enlargements of 2004, 2007 and 2013 the number of Member States has almost doubled (rising from 15 to 28) via a policy based on criteria (defined during the European Council of Copenhagen in 2004), a great amount of aid, asymmetrical liberalisation of trade and gradual adoption of the community acquis. Mon, 28 Apr 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0311-2004-2014-bilan-d-une-decennie-d-elargissements http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36972&lan=EN Made up of the leaders of the political groups and the EP president, the Conference of Presidents is an integral part of Parliamentary life, but do you know exactly what it does? Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36972&lan=EN http://forumblog.org/2014/06/europes-top-ten-competitive-economies/ The 2014 edition of the The Europe 2020 Competitiveness Report, published this week, tracks Europe’s progress on its competitiveness agenda. The report includes an index which ranks the competitiveness of European Union member states. Here are the top 10 countries on this year’s list. Tue, 10 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://forumblog.org/2014/06/europes-top-ten-competitive-economies/ http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/aide-au-developpement/le-drame-du-rana-plaza-pousse-lue-bouger-sur-les-normes-du-travail A year after the Rana Plaza building collapse that killed 1,135 people in Bangladesh, the European Commission is mulling a new initiative to boost labour standards for global companies that supply Europe’s high streets, as a flagship for Europe's Year of Development, which begins in 2015. Fri, 20 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/sections/aide-au-developpement/le-drame-du-rana-plaza-pousse-lue-bouger-sur-les-normes-du-travail http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0317-que-changer-a-bruxelles-comment-ameliorer-rapidement-le-fonctionnement-des-institutions 57 years after the Rome Treaty Europe experienced its first major economic and financial crisis, and after the European elections that confirmed doubt about community integration, debate has now been launched about the role and the functioning of the European institutions. 2014 is the year in which the Parliament, the Commission, the executive responsible for running the European Council and European diplomacy will all be changed. Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0317-que-changer-a-bruxelles-comment-ameliorer-rapidement-le-fonctionnement-des-institutions http://alainet.org/active/74523 This secrecy is surprising, since it was responsible for the failure of other international treaties when the negotiations were eventually (and inevitably) revealed: The �oeDracula effect” helped to kill the Multilateral Agreement on Investment in 1998 and led to the European Parliament’s rejection of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement in 2012. Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://alainet.org/active/74523 http://alainet.org/active/74522 Free trade agreements, such as those backed by the World Trade Organisation, aim to reduce not only customs barriers, but also �oenon-tariff” barriers: quotas, red tape and health, technical and social regulations. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership is a free trade agreement between the United States and the European Union that has been under negotiation since July 2013. It aims to create the world’s biggest market, with more than 800 million consumers. Wed, 11 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://alainet.org/active/74522 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36946&lan=EN Europe 2020 is the European Union’s ten-year growth and jobs strategy that was launched in 2010. It is about more than just overcoming the crisis from which our economies are now gradually recovering. It is also about addressing the shortcomings of our growth model and creating the conditions for a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36946&lan=EN http://www.ecfr.eu/content/entry/commentary_ten_global_consequences_of_ukraine272 Since the end of the Cold War, the world has benefited from two orders: an American-led security order that ensured a balance of power in every region, and a European-led legal order that sought to write rules for our interdependent world �" in everything from free trade and climate emissions to financial transactions and genocide. The backdrop to the Ukraine crisis is the fraying of the American-led security order as non-Western powers rise and the US recalibrates its foreign policy after a decade of war. So far the crisis has been contained to Ukraine rather than spilling over across the post-Soviet space or bringing the global economy to its knees. What will the longer-term global consequences of the Ukraine crisis be? Mon, 16 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.ecfr.eu/content/entry/commentary_ten_global_consequences_of_ukraine272 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36921&lan=EN The euro zone could get bigger next year after the European Commission said Lithuania is ready to adopt the common currency. That is the conclusion of the convergence reports published on 4 June by the Commission and the European Central Bank, assessing eight EU countries’ readiness to join the euro zone. A final decision will be made by the Council at the end of July after consulting the Parliament. Thu, 05 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36921&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36914&lan=EN A new campaign designed to raise awareness of the sexual exploitation of minors in Brazil during the World Cup was today launched by the European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso. The ‘Don’t Look Away’ (or �oeNão Desvie o Olhar” in Portuguese) campaign is being supported by well-known Brazilian footballers, such as Kaká and Juninho Pernambucano, and targets Brazilians and foreigners who are attending the World Cup 2014, raising awareness that sexual exploitation is a crime. The project involves setting up training seminars for public managers and debates on the subject in each host city of the World Cup matches, as well as increasing support to combat sexual exploitation and making victims aware of their rights. Thu, 12 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36914&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36913&lan=EN When MEPs take up their duties in the new Parliament, on 1 July, one of the first things to do is to see which parliamentary committees they will join. It is a key decision, as it will determine in which field they will focus most of their efforts. Committees play a crucial role in policy-making, as they are responsible for drafting Parliament's positions on new legislative proposals. Wed, 04 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36913&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36891&lan=EN The G7 summit, hosted by the European Union, has now come to an end. Both of the G7 Leaders Communiqués are available online: the Communiqué of 5 June 2014 is available here, and the G7 Leaders Communiqué on Foreign Policy of 4 June 2014 is available here. At the closing press conference, President Barroso made the following remarks on the results of the G7 summit: "Some time ago we were not expecting to be meeting here in Brussels for this G7, but it was well worth it. It was a very successful summit with very good conversations and with a very remarkable level of convergence. On a range of geo-strategic issues we have a unity and common determination to lead the global response." Fri, 06 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36891&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/4772754-la-balle-est-dans-le-camp-des-pro-europeens Recently there has been a lot of talk about the rise of anti-European parties, which is more than justified when you consider the results of the European parliamentary elections. However, Europe is continuing to send mixed signals and not all of them are coming from extremists. Wed, 04 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/article/4772754-la-balle-est-dans-le-camp-des-pro-europeens http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0315-hausse-des-partis-populistes-mais-relative-stabilite-des-forces-politiques-aux-elections The first surprise of this election was the turnout was maintained and even increased slightly in comparison with the previous European election between 4th and 7th June 2009. Moreover the ascension of the populist parties was significant in some Member States but weaker and almost non-existent in others. However there is stability in the political balance between the various groups in Parliament. Mon, 02 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0315-hausse-des-partis-populistes-mais-relative-stabilite-des-forces-politiques-aux-elections http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36855&lan=EN Europe’s poor risk being forced to choose between heating and eating. Russia’s absence from the G7 summit is a stark warning to Europe that political turmoil on its doorstep risks an energy price crisis, at the same time as the effects of climate change on food imports could drive up costs, Oxfam says today. In a new report Fit for a Food and Energy Secure World?, the international agency argues that the crisis in Ukraine and resulting tensions with Russia are a wake-up call for Europe to reassess its energy mix. Tue, 03 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36855&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36841&lan=EN The following letter was sent today by the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, to the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin... Wed, 21 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36841&lan=EN http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/news-brief/4771089-euro-globish-la-langue-de-l-ue So, what language does the European Union speak? Until a decade ago, the answer would probably have been "mostly French", though English was already gaining ground. Today, with a dozen countries more keen on speaking Shakespeare's language as a second or as a working tongue, "Europeans now overwhelmingly opt for English", writes The Economist. Sat, 31 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.voxeurop.eu/fr/content/news-brief/4771089-euro-globish-la-langue-de-l-ue http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36822&lan=EN Today the European Commission adopted a Communication to contribute to the EU position in international negotiations on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as the follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The SDGs are intended to reinforce the international community's commitment to eradicating poverty and supporting sustainable development, challenges that affect the lives of current and future generations. The Commission Communication describes key principles and proposes priority areas and potential targets for the years following 2015, as a step towards establishing a limited number of Sustainable Development Goals. Mon, 02 Jun 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36822&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36777&lan=EN There can be little doubt that we live in a �oeG3” geo-economic landscape, dominated by the US, the Eurozone and China. But economic convergence continues across all regions. The 10-strong ASEAN grouping is the world’s fastest-growing region; Africa remains largely on the fast track; and Latin America’s 800 million people represent almost two-thirds the GDP of China. This growth is driven by investment, consumption and trade, building up a resistance to external shocks such as the US Federal Reserve’s tapering programme. What most economists miss when analysing individual emerging markets are the intraregional and interregional foundations of their growing resilience. Wed, 21 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36777&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36766&lan=EN EU citizens, if that title means anything any more, can be forgiven if they raise their arms to heaven and say: 'Who asked for this?' From one end of Europe to another, people watch as changes which they have not willed, not voted for, and do not want, alter their lives. The skyline of their more prosperous cities mutates, sprouting steel towers where once there were parks and pubs, while in their poorer towns rubbish drifts along shuttered high streets. The countryside is eroded by suburbanisation, and otherwise seems divided between a zone of chemicalised agriculture and clusters of homes for the rich. Thu, 22 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36766&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36754&lan=EN The alarm sounded at Forsmark, Sweden's second largest nuclear power plant, when one of the employees passed one of the radiation monitors on his way back from the restroom. When it showed high levels of radiation coming from his shoes, staff at first worried an accident had taken place at the power plant. However, a thorough scan discovered that the real source of the radiation was some 1,100 kilometres away in the Ukrainian town of Chernobyl. The early detection by the Forsmark plant, one hour north of Stockholm, played a crucial role in forcing Soviet authorities to open up about the disaster that happened in Chernobyl in April 1986. Thu, 15 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36754&lan=EN http://www.jd-giuliani.eu/index.php?lg=fr The rise of extremes both on the left and right is the novelty in the present campaign in view of the upcoming European elections on 22nd-25th May. Using exaggerated, basic, and often outdated arguments the dissenters have found a federating scapegoat: the European Union. At the same the real issues at heart are circumnavigated - admittedly these are complex - and yet they are decisive for the future of our States. Mon, 19 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.jd-giuliani.eu/index.php?lg=fr http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0313-elections-europeennes-quels-enjeux-pour-la-legislature-2014-2019 Indeed, the MEPs appointed in the May 2014 election will have to take decisions that entail many economic, social, environmental, political and diplomatic issues. Although it is not easy at this stage to lay out in detail the content of hundreds of draft directives, regulation, international agreements and settlements on which MEPs will have to vote it does seem possible to rank them schematically according to three major categories: • How can the EU help resolve the crisis? • What developments will there be in terms of European integration? • What strategy should the EU adopt in terms of globalisation? Mon, 19 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0313-elections-europeennes-quels-enjeux-pour-la-legislature-2014-2019 http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/politics/article/european-identity-what-the-hell-does-that-mean.html "Europe lacks an identity." You can read that in any intellectual analysis. But our author hit the streets and the cafés of Strasbourg, philosophising with real people on the ground. But what the hell is European identity, in the minds of the people? In the end, we found a common denominator. Tue, 13 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/politics/article/european-identity-what-the-hell-does-that-mean.html http://cultureinexternalrelations.eu/6-key-messages-form-the-experts/ �oeThe European Union has no cultural relations strategy…” states 1 of the 6 key messages, that the experts of the preparatory action have conducted from their work on the Country Reports and the Discussion Paper. Thu, 08 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://cultureinexternalrelations.eu/6-key-messages-form-the-experts/ http://cultureinexternalrelations.eu/about/ In May 2011, the European Parliament adopted the resolution on the cultural dimensions of the EU external action, which called for the development of a visible common EU strategy on culture in the EU external relations. The members of the consortium in charge of implementing this action are convinced that culture can play a decisive role in the development of external relations and are committed to bringing new knowledge and research to the attention of policy-makers on a national, European and international level. Fri, 09 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://cultureinexternalrelations.eu/about/ http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/few-differences-between-schulz-and-juncker-german-tv-debate-302036 During the first German TV duel between Martin Schulz and Jean-Claude Juncker, the search to find differences between the two candidates for Commission Presidency continued. EurActiv Germany reports. On Thursday evening (8 May), centre-right Jean-Claude Juncker and Social Democrat Martin Schulz faced off in Berlin for the first TV duel in German broadcast on German and Austrian public television. Similarly to their first debate in Brussels one month ago, the candidates had a hard time trying to carve out policy differences between each other. Fri, 09 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/eu-elections-2014/few-differences-between-schulz-and-juncker-german-tv-debate-302036 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/oee/1499-les-elections-europeennes-2014-un-scrutin-aux-multiples-enjeux 82 million citizens from 28 countries of the European Union are being called to ballot from 22nd to 25th May next to renew the Parliament whose HQ is in Strasbourg, and which is the only European institution to be appointed by direct universal suffrage. The European elections are the source of concern in many Member States. Many political leaders and analysts are anticipating both a further decline in turnout and a rise in the number of votes given to populist movements, on the left and the right. Mon, 28 Apr 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/oee/1499-les-elections-europeennes-2014-un-scrutin-aux-multiples-enjeux http://www.goethe.de/ges/pok/sup/en12673574.htm On 1 May 2004 Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Hungary, among others, joined the European Union. What impact has this eastward expansion had? An interview with the Hungarian author György Konrád. Mr. Konrád, ten years after Hungary joined the European Union, two thirds of the electorate voted for parties that are critical of the EU, or even reject it, in the parliamentary elections there in early April 2014. Do the citizens regret EU accession? Fri, 02 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.goethe.de/ges/pok/sup/en12673574.htm http://www.leap2020.net/euro-brics/2014/04/04/crise-ukrainienne-un-coup-sanglant-porte-au-rapprochement-euro-brics-et-a-lemergence-du-monde-multipolaire/ The Ukraine crisis is not an accident of history, it is the result of an intention: that of forcing Ukraine to choose sides between Europe and Russia. The European External Action Service of the European Commission led by Ms. Ashton and Mr. O’Sullivan refused the tripartite negotiation proposed by Russia in November 2013 between the economic partnerships under development among Ukraine and Russia on the one hand, and Ukraine and the EU on the other hand. Once launched, the process was inevitable: forced to choose, Ukraine lost its freedom and, because of its dual nature, headed towards the major crisis that we know today. From the door it was between Europe and Russia, Ukraine transformed into a wall. Fri, 04 Apr 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.leap2020.net/euro-brics/2014/04/04/crise-ukrainienne-un-coup-sanglant-porte-au-rapprochement-euro-brics-et-a-lemergence-du-monde-multipolaire/ http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36654&lan=EN The European elections of 22-25 May 2014 give voters the chance to influence the future political course of the European Union when they elect the 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to represent their interests for the next five years. Mon, 14 Apr 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36654&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36634&lan=EN Remarks by president Obama in address to european youth: Leaders and dignitaries of the European Union; representatives of our NATO Alliance; distinguished guests: We meet here at a moment of testing for Europe and the United States, and for the international order that we have worked for generations to build.nThroughout human history, societies have grappled with fundamental questions of how to organize themselves, the proper relationship between the individual and the state, the best means to resolve inevitable conflicts between states. And it was here in Europe, through centuries of struggle -- through war and Enlightenment, repression and revolution -- that a particular set of ideals began to emerge: The belief that through conscience and free will, each of us has the right to live as we choose. Wed, 26 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36634&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36628&lan=EN The Commission will step up efforts to improve water quality, infrastructure and sanitation, following success of first European Citizens’ Initiative. Right2Water is the first ever successful campaign under the European Citizens’ Initiative, a scheme launched in April 2012 which enables EU citizens to ask the Commission to propose legislation in areas where the EU has powers to act. Organisers of the initiative collected 1.89 million signatures from across Europe supporting their aim of ensuring that all EU citizens enjoy the right to clean water and sanitation. Wed, 19 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36628&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36600&lan=EN The European Union is experiencing an existential crisis, as the European elections will soon brutally remind us. This mainly involves the euro zone countries, which are mired in a climate of distrust and a debt crisis that is very far from over: unemployment persists and deflation threatens. Nothing could be further from the truth than imagining that the worst is behind us. Thu, 13 Mar 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36600&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36571&lan=EN Bosnian citizens' protest against corruption and misgovernance also reveals the deep flaws of the country's ethno-nationalist system. But where is Europe, asks Goran Fejić. Tue, 25 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36571&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36565&lan=EN Wed, 22 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36565&lan=EN http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/entretiens-d-europe/0079-l-allemagne-doit-s-investir-davantage-dans-la-resolution-de-crises-et-de-conflits Interview with Andreas Schockenhoff, MdB; stv. CDU/CSU Group Representative in the Bundestag, Chair of the Franco-German MP group Mon, 17 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/entretiens-d-europe/0079-l-allemagne-doit-s-investir-davantage-dans-la-resolution-de-crises-et-de-conflits http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4378891-pitie-pas-les-etats-unis-d-europe If the EU is to continue to exist, then its representatives will have to be clear about their ultimate objective. This should not be a federation of states, but a Union which sets its sights on further horizons, defends its diversity, puts an end to its expansion and establishes a legal basis for further integration, says academic Paul Scheffer writes. Thu, 05 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4378891-pitie-pas-les-etats-unis-d-europe http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0301-retour-sur-l-apres-lampedusa-quelle-cooperation-migratoire-de-l-union-europeenne-avec-les-pays After the dramatic events in Lampedusa and in view of the post-Stockholm programme EU cooperation with third countries will emphasise strengthening third countries' borders and the processing of asylum requests outside of Europe via the externalisation of European procedures or the regional protection programme. The place granted to resettlement programmes or to the development of humanitarian visas does not seem quite as certain. Long term the global approach to migration faces the challenge of having to satisfy the needs of the European labour market, those of the migrants who are seeking a more stable status and the development ambitions in the countries of origin. Financing all of this work appears to be difficult and since the paths of political conditionality seem uncertain, the EU will undoubtedly have to find a better way to regulate flows of people and the migrant remittances. Mon, 03 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0301-retour-sur-l-apres-lampedusa-quelle-cooperation-migratoire-de-l-union-europeenne-avec-les-pays http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0296-l-europe-dans-la-mondialisation-risques-et-atouts The euro crisis has been so strong that Europeans' have tended even more to their traditional occupation of navel-gazing. But scrutiny of the Greek debt and the intricacies of the agreements made on banking supervision may indeed lead us to forget the main context i.e. globalisation to which the Union is trying to adjust. Of course globalisation significantly weakens what has been achieved, the comparative assets and the very model of European integration; this adds to the economic crisis a series of crises and challenges which are vital for the future of Europe. But globalization also brings to the fore the considerable assets held by the Union in the international arena, which political leaders have to acknowledge and make use of[1]. Mon, 02 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0296-l-europe-dans-la-mondialisation-risques-et-atouts http://www.euractiv.de/ukraine-und-eu/artikel/eckhard-cordes-russland-muss-faktor-in-ukraine-bleiben-008494 Berlin must take on an active, coordinative role between Brussels and Moscow, said an official from Germany's Eastern European economic relations committee, adding that an EU-Russia summit, like the one that happened on Tuesday (28 January), is definitely not constructive Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.de/ukraine-und-eu/artikel/eckhard-cordes-russland-muss-faktor-in-ukraine-bleiben-008494 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/content/20140129STO34107/html/Comment-l%E2%80%99Union-europ%C3%A9enne-peut-elle-aider-la-R%C3%A9publique-centrafricaine With more than half of its population in need of humanitarian assistance and 20% internally displaced, the Central African Republic is struggling to restore peace and stability. The country experienced a coup in March last year and violence escalated in December. As the Parliament will debate on 5 February Europe's role in the troubled country, we asked MEPs Michael Gahler, a German member of the EPP, and Louis Michel, a Belgian member of the ALDE group, how the EU could make a difference. Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/content/20140129STO34107/html/Comment-l%E2%80%99Union-europ%C3%A9enne-peut-elle-aider-la-R%C3%A9publique-centrafricaine http://www.euractiv.com/trade/brussels-sets-advisory-group-eu-news-533066 The European Commission launched on Monday (27 January) a special advisory group of experts to give fresh input on all issues being discussed at the EU-US negotiating table for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). �oeThe creation of this group confirms the Commission's commitment to close dialogue and exchange with all stakeholders in the TTIP talks, in order to achieve the best result for European citizens,” read a Commission press release. Tue, 28 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/trade/brussels-sets-advisory-group-eu-news-533066 http://www.euractiv.fr/elargissement/ecosse-et-catalogne-dans-les-sta-news-533039 The struggle for independence in the two regions has triggered a multitude of questions at the European level. Most notably, legal experts are divided as to whether a breakaway region should be automatically granted EU membership status in the case of a 'Yes' vote or whether a new accession procedure needs to take place. Mon, 27 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/elargissement/ecosse-et-catalogne-dans-les-sta-news-533039 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0299-la-politique-etrangere-et-de-securite-europeenne-politique-commune-ou-agregat-de Foreign Policy is the flip-side of State sovereignty. According to General de Gaulle it results from the three levers of sovereignty: the diplomacy it expresses, the army it supports and the police which covers it. It articulates the inside and outside. It is the area of political choice and will, of verb and also action. Diplomacy and war are by excellence the affair of the State, the heart of sovereignty, the expression of "Westphalian" international relations. Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0299-la-politique-etrangere-et-de-securite-europeenne-politique-commune-ou-agregat-de http://www.euractiv.com/energy/eu-sets-walk-sprint-2030-clean-e-news-532960 The European Commission set out its goal Wednesday (22 January) of a Europe which, by 2030, emits 40% less carbon dioxide than it did in 1990, uses renewables for 27% of its energy, and employs a reserve mechanism to regulate its carbon market. Thu, 23 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/energy/eu-sets-walk-sprint-2030-clean-e-news-532960 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/infographics?ref=20140120IFG33185&utm_content=buffercb963&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Tue, 21 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/infographics?ref=20140120IFG33185&utm_content=buffercb963&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer http://www.euractiv.com/serbia/kosovo-spectre-looms-eu-serbia-n-news-532916 Serbia officially started its accession talks with the EU yesterday (21 January), but the path to membership is lined with obstacles as the country faces new procedural rules and its relations with Kosovo remain an outstanding issue. Wed, 22 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/serbia/kosovo-spectre-looms-eu-serbia-n-news-532916 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-45_fr.htm?locale=en EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs will today announce close to �"�3 billion in grants for countries and organisations in the region of Central Africa1 for the period 2014-2020. The announcement will be made during a more than two-day event to discuss development cooperation with Ministers and other authorities of the involved countries and regional organisations. Tue, 21 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-45_fr.htm?locale=en http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-36_fr.htm Commissioners Maria Damanaki and Günther Oettinger today presented a new action plan to facilitate the further development of the renewable ocean energy sector in Europe. A central element in this action plan will be to establish an Ocean Energy Forum, bringing together stakeholders to build capacity and foster cooperation. The action plan should help drive forward this nascent 'blue energy' sector towards full industrialisation. Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-36_fr.htm http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/eu-foot-dragging-kosovo-raises-c-news-532826 As tensions rise again in Kosovo after the killing of a Serbian politician in the North, the country's minister in charge of EU affairs, Vlora Çitaku, called on the EU to be more �oeresponsive” towards her newly-formed state. Fri, 17 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/enlargement/eu-foot-dragging-kosovo-raises-c-news-532826 http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/javier-solana-explains-what-is-at-stake-at-the-geneva-ii-middle-east-peace-conference The Geneva II Middle East peace conference, to be held on January 22, will take place against a backdrop of singularly appalling numbers: Syria’s brutal civil has left an estimated 130,000 dead, 2.3 million refugees registered in neighboring countries, and some four million more internally displaced. Fri, 17 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/javier-solana-explains-what-is-at-stake-at-the-geneva-ii-middle-east-peace-conference http://www.euractiv.fr/uk-europe/le-royaume-uni-lance-un-ultimatu-news-532779 British Finance Minister George Osborne will warn the European Union today it must reform if it wants Britain to remain a member, and say it faces decline if it resists change, said an official familiar with the contents of his speech. Thu, 16 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/uk-europe/le-royaume-uni-lance-un-ultimatu-news-532779 http://www.transparency.org/news/feature/blacklisting_the_corrupt_why_the_eu_debarment_system_does_not_work Banning corrupt companies from accessing public funds �" also known as ‘blacklisting’ or ‘debarment’ �" is not only an important penalty, it is also one of the most effective means of deterring companies from engaging in corruption in the first place. In the European Union, where governments spend about �"�2.5 trillion a year on goods and services (about 20 per cent of EU GDP) it is a particularly effective deterrent. Few companies can afford being locked out of that market. - See more at: http://www.transparency.org/news/feature/blacklisting_the_corrupt_why_the_eu_debarment_system_does_not_work#sthash.QWuWZxZM.dpuf Mon, 13 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.transparency.org/news/feature/blacklisting_the_corrupt_why_the_eu_debarment_system_does_not_work http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/content/20140110IPR32384/html/%C3%89missions-de-CO2-des-camionnettes-plus-propres-d%E2%80%99ici-2020 The CO2 emission limit for new light commercial vehicles sold in the EU is to be reduced from 203 g/km today to 147 g/km by 2020, under draft legislation approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday. The text, already informally agreed with EU ministers, also calls for the introduction of more reliable CO2 emission testing methods. Tue, 14 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/content/20140110IPR32384/html/%C3%89missions-de-CO2-des-camionnettes-plus-propres-d%E2%80%99ici-2020 http://www.euractiv.com/energy/parliament-commission-set-clash-news-532682 A joint meeting of the Parliament’s environment and industry committees yesterday backed a motion that also called for a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions, and 30% market share for renewables by 2030. Fri, 10 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/energy/parliament-commission-set-clash-news-532682 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-3_fr.htm On 12 January 2010, Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake that took 222,750 people's lives, injured many thousands and made 1.7 million homeless. Since day one, the European Union has responded to the needs of the Haitian population; providing both immediate humanitarian relief on a massive scale, while boosting its development aid. Thu, 09 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-3_fr.htm http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36386&lan=EN The great significance of the negotiations now underway towards the signing of an economic and commercial liberalization agreement between MERCOSUR and the European Union demand that these be widely known and subject to public debate. The levels of confidentiality demanded by European negotiators should be completely eliminated immediately, even though it is defended as "understandable" by the same spokespersons of the local establishment who publicly (or cynically?) criticize the "lack of transparency" or call for "greater democratic control of public management." There is real danger in accepting a closed-book negotiation as a fait accompli that would only later be exposed to public and parliamentary consideration. Wed, 08 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36386&lan=EN http://www.euractiv.com/energy/eu-study-predicts-climate-failur-news-532630 The EU's decarbonisation of its energy sector will only cut emissions by half the amount needed to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius in 2050, according to a business-as-usual scenario quietly released by the European Commission over the Christmas period. Wed, 08 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/energy/eu-study-predicts-climate-failur-news-532630 http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/joseph-e--stiglitz-predicts-continued-slow-growth-and-misguided-economic-policy-in-2014 There’s something dismal about writing year-end roundups in the half-decade since the eruption of the 2008 global financial crisis. Yes, we avoided a Great Depression II, but only to emerge into a Great Malaise, with barely increasing incomes for a large proportion of citizens in advanced economies. We can expect more of the same in 2014. Sun, 05 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/joseph-e--stiglitz-predicts-continued-slow-growth-and-misguided-economic-policy-in-2014 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-1_fr.htm On 1 January 2014, Latvia adopted the euro as its official currency and the changeover is running smoothly and according to plan. The previous national currency �" the lat �" is now being phased out during a transitional two-week dual circulation period when both currencies have legal tender status. By the end of Thursday 2 January, 30 % of payments in shops were being made in euro only and 94 % of customers were getting their change in euro. No major problems were observed in banks or in the retail sector. Fri, 03 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-1_fr.htm http://www.euractiv.com/energy/big-eu-guns-fire-crucial-2030-re-news-532608 Ministers from eight EU states - including Germany and France - have called on the European Commission to set �oerobust” renewable energy targets for 2030, in a break with an emerging consensus for one emissions-cutting goal alone. The call, made in a letter seen by EurActiv, was sent to Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard and Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger on 23 December 2013. Tue, 07 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/energy/big-eu-guns-fire-crucial-2030-re-news-532608 http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/experts-show-cautious-optimism-e-news-532596 Last year was the least tumultuous for the eurozone since Greece revealed a vast hole in its books back in 2009. The consensus is that 2014 will be just as calm, a view held by some who were predicting the currency bloc's demise little more than a year ago. Mon, 06 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/euro-finance/experts-show-cautious-optimism-e-news-532596 http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/grybauskaite-europe-gift-respons-news-532552 Lithuania, a country of 3.2 million people, which joined the EU in 2004, assumed its first presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July. It started with a huge number of dossiers and ticked boxes on many difficult legislative files. Thu, 02 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/grybauskaite-europe-gift-respons-news-532552 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1313_fr.htm R�"ga (Latvia) and Umeå (Sweden) are the European Capitals of Culture in 2014. The cultural programme will officially begin on 17 January in the Latvian capital and on 31 January in Umeå. Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1313_fr.htm http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/labellingnutrition/foodlabelling/docs/com_2013-755_en.pdf A report on the possibility to extend mandatory origin labelling for all meat used as an ingredient was published today by the Commission. Based on an external study, completed in July 2013, this report weighs up the need for the consumer to be informed, the feasibility of introducing mandatory origin labelling and provides a cost/benefit analysis including the impact on the single market and international trade. Tue, 17 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://ec.europa.eu/food/food/labellingnutrition/foodlabelling/docs/com_2013-755_en.pdf http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/10546394/Europe-is-slowly-strangling-the-life-out-of-national-democracy.html Decisions affecting the lives of voters are being taken by bureaucrats and unelected 'experts' Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/10546394/Europe-is-slowly-strangling-the-life-out-of-national-democracy.html http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/ana-palacio-bemoans-europe-s-neglect-of-security-issues-in-a-rapidly-changing-geopolitical-environment For the last five years, Europe has been shaken by financial and economic convulsions that have wreaked havoc on many of its citizens’ livelihoods. The good news is that progress is finally being made in redeveloping the European Union’s economic and monetary architecture, which should help to bring about a return to growth. Mon, 30 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/ana-palacio-bemoans-europe-s-neglect-of-security-issues-in-a-rapidly-changing-geopolitical-environment http://www.globalresearch.ca/politicized-nobel-prize-rewarding-those-who-best-contribute-to-war-chaos-and-the-repeal-of-civil-liberties/5363121 Recently a news came from Washington that some US congressmen initiated that the Nobel Peace Award for 2013 be given to the Lady Catherine Ashton, EU Commissar for Foreign Policy and Security, Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister of Serbia and Hashim Tachi, �oePrime Minister of the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosova”, in recognition for reaching so called Brussels Agreement on Normalization, under EU auspices, in April 2013. Tue, 31 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.globalresearch.ca/politicized-nobel-prize-rewarding-those-who-best-contribute-to-war-chaos-and-the-repeal-of-civil-liberties/5363121 http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-EI-13-001/EN/KS-EI-13-001-EN.PDF Key figures on Europe presents a selection of statistical data on Europe. Most data cover the European Union and its Member States, while some indicators are provided for other countries, such as members of EFTA, candidate countries to the European Union, Japan or the United States. Thu, 19 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-EI-13-001/EN/KS-EI-13-001-EN.PDF http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/opinion/state-feminists-vs-343-bastards.html?_r=1& Feminists across Western Europe are sounding the alarm. Prostitution, they claim, has become today’s �oewhite slavery,” with ever more women from Bulgaria and Romania, Africa and Asia being forced, tricked or seduced into selling their bodies. Sun, 29 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/opinion/state-feminists-vs-343-bastards.html?_r=1& http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36314&lan=EN Today it is a given that Europe has screwed up, that it is screwed over. There are various diagnostics. Some think that it is due to the laziness of the Southerners, that the Mediterranean climate and the siesta made them live above their means (we have heard this enough, for some time now in Latin America). Others blame the rigidity of the German Central Bank that dominates the troika and imposes its nostrums on the other economies. Fri, 20 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=36314&lan=EN http://www.euractiv.fr/services-financiers/sp-adresse-un-pied-de-nez-lunion-news-532521 Standard & Poor's cut its long-term credit rating on the European Union budget to AA-plus from AAA on Friday (20 December), dealing a blow to EU leaders who had congratulated themselves the day before for agreeing the last elements of their banking union plans. Fri, 20 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/services-financiers/sp-adresse-un-pied-de-nez-lunion-news-532521 http://www.dw.de/is-europe-sacrificing-its-consumer-standards/a-17316876 The third round of negotiations for the transatlantic trade treaty (TTIP) is over. The American and European negotiators are happy, but critics are alarmed. Tue, 24 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.dw.de/is-europe-sacrificing-its-consumer-standards/a-17316876 http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2013/12/19/un-bon-accord-qui-corrige-les-failles-de-la-zone-euro_4337259_3232.html The agreement concluded by European Finance Ministers on December 18 provides for a single resolution mechanism for banks and will pave the way for a single resolution fund. As such it amounts to an important step towards a real monetary union, but not a definitive one. Wed, 18 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2013/12/19/un-bon-accord-qui-corrige-les-failles-de-la-zone-euro_4337259_3232.html http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/central-african-republic-symbol-news-532481 The conflict in the Central African Republic could have presented an opportunity for governments to pool defence resources but the issue has hardly been raised at the EU level. Leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss defence and security. Thu, 19 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/central-african-republic-symbol-news-532481 http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/despite-the-economic-misery-of-the-last-five-years-europe-remains-a-success-storyas-maltas-passport-sale-clearly-demonstrates-8996047.html There are several ways that a non-EU citizen can gain an EU passport. One is for your country to join the EU, as Croatia did in July and as many people in the Ukraine would like it to do. Another is to brave the arduous crossing of the Mediterranean and hope eventually to achieve political asylum. And another is to sign a cheque. Thu, 12 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/despite-the-economic-misery-of-the-last-five-years-europe-remains-a-success-storyas-maltas-passport-sale-clearly-demonstrates-8996047.html http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4378891-pitie-pas-les-etats-unis-d-europe If the EU is to continue to exist, then its representatives will have to be clear about their ultimate objective. This should not be a federation of states, but a Union which sets its sights on further horizons, defends its diversity, puts an end to its expansion and establishes a legal basis for further integration, says academic Paul Scheffer writes. Excerpts. Thu, 05 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4378891-pitie-pas-les-etats-unis-d-europe http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/joseph-e--stiglitz-says-that-the-europe-will-not-recover-unless-and-until-the-eurozone-is-fundamentally-reformed It has been three years since the outbreak of the euro crisis, and only an inveterate optimist would say that the worst is definitely over. Some, noting that the eurozone’s double-dip recession has ended, conclude that the austerity medicine has worked. But try telling that to those in countries that are still in depression, with per capita GDP still below pre-2008 levels, unemployment rates above 20%, and youth unemployment at more than 50%. At the current pace of �oerecovery,” no return to normality can be expected until well into the next decade. Wed, 04 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/joseph-e--stiglitz-says-that-the-europe-will-not-recover-unless-and-until-the-eurozone-is-fundamentally-reformed http://de.qantara.de/inhalt/debatten-ueber-den-euro-islam-vermintes-gelaende The concept of European Islam has proved to be a constant source of controversy. For some it embodies the deliverance of Islam from everything that is perceived as backward looking and pre-modern. Others fear that a European Islam is a watered-down religion, a kind of government-controlled "state Islam", prepared to fully accommodate to the wishes of the authorities. By Claudia Mende Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://de.qantara.de/inhalt/debatten-ueber-den-euro-islam-vermintes-gelaende http://lecercle.lesechos.fr/economistes-project-syndicate/autres-auteurs/221186181/quelques-reflexions-dune-prisonniere-ukrainie?xtor=EPR-1500-[NL_meilleurs_articles_hebdo]-20131209-[accueil] Incarceration is said to leave you with a feeling of helplessness and vulnerability. But the truth of life for a political prisoner, even for one on a hunger strike, is the opposite. As a prisoner, I have been forced to focus on what is essential about myself, my political beliefs, and my country. So I can almost feel the presence of the brave women and men, old and young, who have gathered in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities to defend their dreams of a democratic and European future. In prison, your hopes and dreams become your reality. Fri, 06 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://lecercle.lesechos.fr/economistes-project-syndicate/autres-auteurs/221186181/quelques-reflexions-dune-prisonniere-ukrainie?xtor=EPR-1500-[NL_meilleurs_articles_hebdo]-20131209-[accueil] http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4377051-au-coeur-de-la-machine The troika is the best-known tool used by the EU and IMF to aid European countries in dire financial straits. In Luxembourg, though, there are two institutions, discreet but crucial, the EFSF and the MES, that are responsible for coming up with the money. Thu, 05 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4377051-au-coeur-de-la-machine http://www.businessinsider.com/european-maps-showing-origins-of-common-words-2013-11 U.S. playwright Rita Mae Brown said: "Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going." That quote comes to mind looking at these fascinating European etymology maps of various commons words, which provide a kind of cultural commentary on Europe. Tue, 05 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.businessinsider.com/european-maps-showing-origins-of-common-words-2013-11 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4371061-l-ue-face-sa-seconde-refondation After five long years, the economic crisis has left a deep imprint in the EU, increasing mistrust between member states, but also cementing the belief in a common destiny. It's time to bring renewed political leadership, writes El País. Tue, 03 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4371061-l-ue-face-sa-seconde-refondation http://www.globalresearch.ca/gmo-additives-contaminants-and-pesticides-european-food-safety-on-behalf-of-food-and-drink-conglomerates/5360206 According to the website of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), it is the keystone of European Union (EU) risk assessment regarding food and feed safety. The website also states that the EFSA provides independent scientific advice and clear communication on existing and emerging risks and that it is an independent European agency funded by the EU budget. The authority operates separately from the European Commission, European Parliament and EU Member States. Wed, 04 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.globalresearch.ca/gmo-additives-contaminants-and-pesticides-european-food-safety-on-behalf-of-food-and-drink-conglomerates/5360206 http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/4357681-eu-still-has-winning-hand Was the recent decision by Ukraine not to sign a major association agreement with the European Union a failure of EU foreign policy? Despite some understandable hand-wringing in Brussels, the answer must be a resounding �oeno.” While it is true that this week’s Eastern Partnership summit in Vilnius will now be unable to �oedeliver” Ukraine as the crown jewel of the European Neighborhood Policy, Europeans have gained much in the diplomatic wrangling of the last six months. Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/4357681-eu-still-has-winning-hand http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1099_fr.htm On 21st November 2013, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, will meet Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang in Beijing for the 16th EU-China Summit. They will also meet President Xi Jinping the evening before. Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas (Transport) and Commissioners Karel De Gucht (Trade), Johannes Hahn (Regional Policy) and Günther Oettinger (Energy) will also participate in the summit. Tue, 19 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-1099_fr.htm http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/infographics Tue, 19 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/infographics http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4328541-le-racisme-fait-son-nid-en-europe Whether it be in the form of taunts against French and Italian ministers, monkey cries directed at footballers, Islamophobia, or discrimination against the Roma, unabashed racism is increasingly common. Author Tahar Ben Jelloun warns against making any concessions on an issue that must be tackled by more education. Mon, 18 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4328541-le-racisme-fait-son-nid-en-europe http://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/pub/whistleblowing_in_europe_legal_protections_for_whistleblowers_in_the_eu This report is an overall assessment of the adequacy of whistleblower protection laws of 27 member countries of the European Union (EU). Tue, 05 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/pub/whistleblowing_in_europe_legal_protections_for_whistleblowers_in_the_eu http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/11/15/world/europe/young-and-jobless-across-europe.html?ref=europe Fri, 15 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/11/15/world/europe/young-and-jobless-across-europe.html?ref=europe http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/europe/youth-unemployement-in-europe.html?hp&_r=1& Five years after the economic crisis struck the Continent, youth unemployment has climbed to staggering levels in many countries: in September, 56 percent in Spain for those 24 and younger, 57 percent in Greece, 40 percent in Italy, 37 percent in Portugal and 28 percent in Ireland. For people 25 to 30, the rates are half to two-thirds as high and rising. Fri, 15 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/world/europe/youth-unemployement-in-europe.html?hp&_r=1& http://www.concordeurope.org/276-aidwatch-2013-press-release European aid to poor countries is stalling, with aid cut or stagnant in 19 EU countries. NEW: Compare EU aid data on the special AidWatch website : aidwatch.concordeurope.org Read the full report here Tue, 05 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.concordeurope.org/276-aidwatch-2013-press-release http://www.euractiv.fr/developpement-durable/bruxelles-sen-prend-aux-sacs-en-news-531500 The European Commission has released a series of measures to reduce the use of lightweight plastic bags in the European Union and limit the negative impacts on the environment. Tue, 05 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/developpement-durable/bruxelles-sen-prend-aux-sacs-en-news-531500 http://www.euractiv.fr/science-policymaking/la-protection-des-donnees-pourra-news-531425 Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding yesterday (29 October) issued a stark warning that data protection should be kept off the agenda of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). But EurActiv understands that US pressure is mounting to keep the debate open on data issues. Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/science-policymaking/la-protection-des-donnees-pourra-news-531425 http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/3-31102013-BP/FR/3-31102013-BP-FR.PDF The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 12.2% in September 2013, stable compared with August. The EU281 unemployment rate was 11.0%, also stable compared with August. In both zones, rates have risen compared with September 2012, when they were 11.6% and 10.6% respectively. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. Thu, 31 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_PUBLIC/3-31102013-BP/FR/3-31102013-BP-FR.PDF http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/Appuntamenti/Becoming-Europe.-From-solidarity-to-the-European-integration-of-the-Balkans-and-Turkey In 2013, the year of Croatia's entry into the European Union as 28th member state, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso (OBC) and ten European partners are committed to disseminate knowledge and stimulate public debate about the Balkans and Turkey in the European public opinion. Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/Appuntamenti/Becoming-Europe.-From-solidarity-to-the-European-integration-of-the-Balkans-and-Turkey http://www.cer.org.uk/insights/ukraine-edging-towards-eu Twenty years on, its independence and national identity seem more solid, even if many Russian politicians, from President Vladimir Putin to his arch-opponent Aleksey Navalniy, still talk of Russians and Ukrainians as �oeone people”. But Ukraine, and the European Union, now face a moment of decision: will Ukraine be the Russosphere's border with the EU, or the Eurosphere's border with Russia? Thu, 24 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.cer.org.uk/insights/ukraine-edging-towards-eu http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/21/europe-own-shutdown-anti-eu-parties Europeans have been stunned and dismayed by the shutdown and near-default of the United States. Perhaps they even felt some schadenfreude. After all, European leaders have been held to ridicule and contempt for their global brinkmanship over the dysfunctional eurozone in recent years �" time and again taking their economies to the cliff, only to pull back just before the markets opened. Mon, 21 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/21/europe-own-shutdown-anti-eu-parties http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/24/eu-summit-with-one-voice-editorial European Union summits ought to be a window of opportunity to show that Europe makes a difference. With populist scepticism about the EU on the rise in many countries, and with difficult elections to the European parliament looming next year, summits like the one taking place in Brussels this week have special importance. Thu, 24 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/24/eu-summit-with-one-voice-editorial http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/10/23/eu-improve-migrant-rescue-offer-refuge EU leaders agreed to discuss boat migration in the Mediterranean at the already-scheduled European Council summit after more than 360 people, mostly Eritreans and Somalis, died when their boat sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa on October 3. Wed, 23 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/10/23/eu-improve-migrant-rescue-offer-refuge http://www.euractiv.fr/avenir-europe/economie-et-la-justice-au-coeur-news-531258 The Commission adopted yesterday (22 October) its work programme for the last year of mandate, which draws out an unprecedented framework to ensure respect for European values in member states. Wed, 23 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/avenir-europe/economie-et-la-justice-au-coeur-news-531258 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/press-review/4259051-le-moyen-le-moins-cher-de-reduire-les-emissions-de-co2 While Germany and France are trying to reduce their reliance on nuclear power, the UK has announced a deal to build its first new nuclear power plant in almost 20 years. A risky choice, but one for which the economic rationale is clear, writes the European press Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/press-review/4259051-le-moyen-le-moins-cher-de-reduire-les-emissions-de-co2 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0292-l-europe-sociale-levier-d-integration-de-la-zone-euro With unemployment as the dominant issue Europe should lay the foundation for an unemployment insurance agreement as the first stage towards social integration - even if this means initially with a small number of States. 2012 culminated with the monetary and financial stabilisation of the euro zone. Badly shaken by the financial crisis and its moult into a sovereign debt crisis the euro zone became aware of the lack of - even absence of - instruments and institutions that are coherent with a single currency regime. Mon, 21 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/questions-d-europe/0292-l-europe-sociale-levier-d-integration-de-la-zone-euro http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Regions-and-countries/Kosovo/Kosovo-a-new-start-for-Eulex.-Maybe-141941 The resources invested by the EU in Kosovo have not affected the power of organized crime and the level of corruption within local institutions. The recent turnover in Eulex's top management and the pressure from Berlin could, however, improve the effectiveness of the European mission Tue, 22 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.balcanicaucaso.org/eng/Regions-and-countries/Kosovo/Kosovo-a-new-start-for-Eulex.-Maybe-141941 http://www.euronews.com/2013/10/18/no-island-is-an-island---europe-and-all-its-languages/ It is no secret that Britons are apprehensive when it comes to learning languages �" perhaps the reason that English is widely spoken around the world suits them well. But it appears that the logic will not work for too much longer since businesses in the temperate island are becoming more outward-looking. Fri, 18 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euronews.com/2013/10/18/no-island-is-an-island---europe-and-all-its-languages/ http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/infographics Tue, 08 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/infographics http://www.eea.europa.eu/fr/pressroom/newsreleases/la-pollution-atmospherique-continue-d2019endommager Around 90 % of city dwellers in the European Union (EU) are exposed to one of the most damaging air pollutants at levels deemed harmful to health by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This result comes from the latest assessment of air quality in Europe, published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). Tue, 15 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.eea.europa.eu/fr/pressroom/newsreleases/la-pollution-atmospherique-continue-d2019endommager http://www.euractiv.fr/developpement-durable/efficacite-energetique-des-batim-news-531120 Debate on whether Europe needs binding 2030 targets for energy efficiency and renewables �" as well as greenhouse gas emissions �" is heating up ahead of an EU communication on the subject later this year. Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.euractiv.fr/developpement-durable/efficacite-energetique-des-batim-news-531120 http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/inequality-is-a-choice/?_r=0 It’s well known by now that income and wealth inequality in most rich countries, especially the United States, have soared in recent decades and, tragically, worsened even more since the Great Recession. But what about the rest of the world? Is the gap between countries narrowing, as rising economic powers like China and India have lifted hundreds of millions of people from poverty? And within poor and middle-income countries, is inequality getting worse or better? Are we moving toward a more fair world, or a more unjust one? Sun, 13 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/inequality-is-a-choice/?_r=0 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4240631-la-troika-au-bord-de-l-implosion Disagreements between the European Commission and the IMF on how to end the debt crisis in Europe continue to grow. Starting in Brussels, it is possible to envisage the careful dismantling of the group. Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4240631-la-troika-au-bord-de-l-implosion http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4236291-ecoutons-aussi-les-eurosceptiques Apparently, EU politicians not only want people to think about the EU, they also want to decide what they think. They should be more open to debate with Eurosceptics in all layers of the population. Wed, 16 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4236291-ecoutons-aussi-les-eurosceptiques http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4230781-l-europe-brille-sous-un-ciel-sombre Life in the European Union appears better than in many other parts of the world. Yet, this well-being is undermined by the euro crisis combined with a loss of confidence by citizens in their institutions. This trend will be one of the major issues in the upcoming EU ballot. Mon, 14 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4230781-l-europe-brille-sous-un-ciel-sombre http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/content/20131009IPR21810/html/Malala-Yousafzai-laur%C3%A9ate-du-Prix-Sakharov-2013 Pakistani campaigner for girls' education Malala Yousafzai is the laureate of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2013, following today's decision of the Conference of Presidents (EP President and political group leaders). She will be invited to receive the award at a ceremony in Strasbourg on 20 November. Thu, 10 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/fr/news-room/content/20131009IPR21810/html/Malala-Yousafzai-laur%C3%A9ate-du-Prix-Sakharov-2013 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/10362717/Keep-calm-and-save-the-Earth.html Today, MPs on the House of Commons’ Environmental Audit Committee have released a report arguing that the UK needs its strong climate policies, otherwise we will face �oedangerous destabilisation of the global climate”. Tue, 08 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/climatechange/10362717/Keep-calm-and-save-the-Earth.html http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=35894&lan=EN The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the European Union have today announced they will strengthen their cooperation and scale up their joint operations on areas of mutual interest, such as education, culture, science and technology, water and oceans, and freedom of expression. Tue, 08 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=35894&lan=EN http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=35890&lan=EN More than ten years have passed since the adoption of the European Union (EU) Tobacco Products Directive in 2001. The EU has long been a frontrunner in tobacco control. The 2001 Directive was adopted even before consensus was reached on the text of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2003. Mon, 07 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=35890&lan=EN http://transeuropafestival.eu/ Transeuropa Festival is a unique transnational festival of culture, arts and politics, taking place in 13 cities all over Europe. It is not 13 different festivals happening at the same time, but one festival taking place throughout the continent. Mon, 07 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://transeuropafestival.eu/ http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4191081-votons-pour-le-peuple-europeen Since there is no clear concept of solidarity among the nations of the European Union, it is time to create a nation based on a common political project, according to a Spanish philosopher. The 2014 European elections should be the first step. Excerpts. Tue, 01 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4191081-votons-pour-le-peuple-europeen http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/press-review/4201011-lampedusa-est-l-echec-de-l-europe The October 3 shipwreck of a boat carrying African migrants, which left at least 120 dead and almost 300 missing off the coast of the Italian island, has sparked a wave of emotion in Europe and reopened the debate on the EU's migration policy and the member states. �oeImmigrant slaughter, Italy in mourning”, headlines the Corriere della Sera. Fri, 04 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/press-review/4201011-lampedusa-est-l-echec-de-l-europe http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/catherine-ashton-excells-in-western-talks-on-iran-nuclear-program-a-925514.html The European Union's foreign policy apparatus is often written off as trivial. But its leader, Catherine Ashton, is the one whose tenacious diplomacy has brought the West and Iran back to the table to negotiate Tehran's nuclear program and related sanctions. Tue, 01 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/catherine-ashton-excells-in-western-talks-on-iran-nuclear-program-a-925514.html http://www.unicef.org/french/media/media_70472.html UNICEF and the European Union (EU) signed a new cooperation agreement today that provides an additional US$45 million (�"� 34. 2 million) to protect children affected by the Syria crisis and promote access to learning in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Tue, 24 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.unicef.org/french/media/media_70472.html http://www.eu2013.lt/fr/news/communiques-de-presse/la-culture-comme-partie-de-la-strategie-integree-du-developpement-economique-et-social What are the most effective ways that lead to tangible results in applying the social and economic potential of culture and the creative industries? What measures could be used to integrate culture into other public policy fields and decision-making processes at the European, national, regional and local levels? These and other important questions will be discussed by the EU Ministers for Culture and Audiovisual Affairs in the informal meeting to be held in Vilnius on 1-2 October. Tue, 01 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.eu2013.lt/fr/news/communiques-de-presse/la-culture-comme-partie-de-la-strategie-integree-du-developpement-economique-et-social http://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/vassilis-k-fouskas/why-democracy-is-still-in-danger-in-greece Ten days after the murder of Pavlos Fyssas, the ND-PASOK pro-austerity government arrested most of the Golden Dawn leadership on the grounds of being a criminal organization. Yet, for a combination of economic and political reasons, democracy in Greece is in more danger today than ever before. Mon, 30 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.opendemocracy.net/can-europe-make-it/vassilis-k-fouskas/why-democracy-is-still-in-danger-in-greece http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-684_fr.htm In 8 months' time, voters across Europe will judge what we have achieved together in the last 5 years. In these 5 years, Europe has been more present in the lives of citizens than ever before. Europe has been discussed in the coffee houses and popular talk shows all over our continent. Today, I want to look at what we have done together. At what we have yet to do. And I want to present what I believe are the main ideas for a truly European political debate ahead of next year's elections. Wed, 11 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-684_fr.htm http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4134351-un-discours-dans-le-vide Today the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, is to present his State of the Union for the EU. Since 2010, he has addressed the European Parliament at the start of the political year. And although the Flemish TV programme Villa Politica plans to broadcast the speech, most of the viewing audience will probably be residents in Belgium’s hospitals and retirement homes. Afterall Mr Barroso’s speech is delivered in the morning, instead of during prime time, which is the case in the US. We have not been able to confirm whether it will be broadcast on other TV channels, however, we are willing to bet that the majority of newspapers will publish their report on the speech in a small column tucked away on one of the foreign news pages. Wed, 11 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4134351-un-discours-dans-le-vide http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4127031-une-puissance-atonique It took 17 days to Europeans to raise their collective voice on the chemical massacre of August 21 in Syria. And they did that only after the intervention by the American, John Kerry. Humiliating. At the same time, Europe, which saw the birth of the GSM technology that dominated the global mobile telephony, is watching Nokia, the last major European producer of smartphones, get swallowed up by America’s Microsoft. Mon, 09 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4127031-une-puissance-atonique http://www.iris-france.org/docs/kfm_docs/docs/com-ce-secteur-dfense-fr.pdf On 24 July 2013, the European Commission published a paper on the defence and security industry in preparation for the December European Council meeting on defence. This IRIS note discusses that paper. In response to the Commission's question to the Member States, it puts forward a tentative definition of a strategic EDTIB. The note also puts the paper back into its historical context and tries to imagine what the Commission's role might be in the years to come. Fri, 06 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.iris-france.org/docs/kfm_docs/docs/com-ce-secteur-dfense-fr.pdf http://www.latribune.fr/opinions/tribunes/20130830trib000782445/la-tragedie-syrienne-illustre-la-perte-d-influence-de-la-mediterranee-sur-l-echiquier-mondial.html The abrupt U-turnof US President Barack Obama on his threat to launch a military strike against the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria exposes the United States’ hesitations at getting dragged into the Mediterranean for a long stretch. Congress may yet give the green light, but the refusal of the British parliament to go along with a strike has left the United States isolated. Germany, Italy, and Poland have also announced their reluctance, leaving only France on a European level. Mon, 02 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.latribune.fr/opinions/tribunes/20130830trib000782445/la-tragedie-syrienne-illustre-la-perte-d-influence-de-la-mediterranee-sur-l-echiquier-mondial.html http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-807_fr.htm Global efforts to battle trade protectionism need to be reinforced to help shield the fragile economic recovery across the world. In a report released today, the European Commission identified about 150 new trade restrictions introduced over the last year, whereas only 18 existing measures have been dismantled. A total of almost 700 new measures have been identified since October 2008, when the European Commission started monitoring global protectionist trends. Mon, 02 Sep 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-807_fr.htm http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4038541-tous-unis-contre-le-regne-de-l-anglais In response to growing enthusiasm among Europeans for English as a lingua franca, a Romanian intellectual sounds the alarm and calls for a mobilisation to safeguard national languages. I recently wrote of the danger stalking the Romanian language in its own backyard. And it is not one that has been caused by a decline in the number of speakers �" due to a slump in fertility rates or the massive migration of Romanians �" but the result of current education policies in this country. Thu, 15 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4038541-tous-unis-contre-le-regne-de-l-anglais http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4041951-le-casse-tete-de-malte The tiny island of Malta is in the midst of a �oecultural invasion” as thousands of African migrants brave the Mediterranean to reach its shores and a gateway to the EU. Pleas for EU help have so far fallen on deaf ears, but Brussels must now intervene. Thu, 08 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4041951-le-casse-tete-de-malte http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4011851-ou-est-passee-la-libre-pensee Just as Europe is more than just a geographical entity, the EU is more than just a political body. I see it first and foremost as a moral project. If we are striving for an open society in Europe, that implies the need to support specific values, such as freedom, tolerance and individual and interpersonal responsibility. These are moral values that have to be anchored politically and institutionally. Otherwise, these values crumble. Thu, 08 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4011851-ou-est-passee-la-libre-pensee http://www.drb.ie/ESSAYS/does-europe-exist- The Hungarian philosopher Agnes Heller, in a chapter she contributed to a book published in 1992, stated with some confidence her view that there was no such thing as European culture. There was certainly, she wrote, Italian and German music, and Florentine and Venetian painting, �oebut there is no European music and no European painting”. It is true that the history of art and culture was not really Heller’s field, but it would seem that those who, in the same year as she wrote her essay, framed the Maastricht Treaty, signalling the transition from European Community to European Union, at least partially agreed with her. The treaty was the first time the community had taken for itself significant powers in the cultural field. Mon, 01 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.drb.ie/ESSAYS/does-europe-exist- http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4014501-libre-echange-contre-marche-unique The European Union and the United States are currently the largest trade and investment partners in the world, accounting for almost half of the global gross domestic product and almost a third of the volume of all world trade. If they do manage to work out an ambitious free trade agreement), commercial activities in all the EU’s member countries that deal with the US will see a sharp increase in business. Some traditional business ties within the EU, will, however, be almost sure to weaken. As a result, some states will become economically less dependent on the EU’s internal market, which will be one of the greatest achievements and most important benefits of European integration. Tue, 30 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/4014501-libre-echange-contre-marche-unique http://www.lejournalinternational.fr/Cyber-security-in-the-European-Union-the-big-time-trial_a982.html Tue, 02 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.lejournalinternational.fr/Cyber-security-in-the-European-Union-the-big-time-trial_a982.html http://www.presseurop.eu/es/content/article/3879711-la-cultura-europea-corre-peligro The "exception culturelle" is crucial to securing the future of European movies, warn filmmakers on the eve of talks on EU-US free trade. Without subsidies and and exemption from the deal, European cinema will cease to exist, warn filmmakers. Unveiled at the beginning of the year, the EU-US negotiations on the establishment of a free trade zone have met with an enthusiastic response from some, but also with concerns from others. According to Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, the planned agreement will "help to create high-quality jobs and boost economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic without costing taxpayers any money. It will establish the world's largest free trade zone and reinvigorate transatlantic relations." Most EU economics ministers favour of the deal, which makes its signing highly likely. But if it is signed, culture may prove its first and greatest casualty. Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/es/content/article/3879711-la-cultura-europea-corre-peligro http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/edr/trends-developments/2013 Tue, 28 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/edr/trends-developments/2013 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/librairie/0160-rapport-schuman-sur-l-europe-l-etat-de-l-union-en-2013 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/fr/librairie/0160-rapport-schuman-sur-l-europe-l-etat-de-l-union-en-2013 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/doc/questions_europe/qe-279-fr.pdf Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/doc/questions_europe/qe-279-fr.pdf http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=35522&lan=EN Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=35522&lan=EN http://www.wsws.org/fr/articles/2013/avr2013/sant-a08.shtml Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.wsws.org/fr/articles/2013/avr2013/sant-a08.shtml http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=35500&lan=EN Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=35500&lan=EN http://www.oecd.org/fr/presse/letat-de-leconomie-mondiale-sameliore-mais-leurope-reste-a-la-traine.htm Global economic activity is picking up, but the continuing crisis in the euro area is delaying a meaningful recovery, the OECD said in its latest Interim Economic Assessment. The Assessment, presented in Paris by Chief Economist Pier Carlo Padoan, says that the G7 economies are expected to grow at an annualised 2.4 per cent rate in the first quarter of 2013 and at a 1.8 percent rate in the second. Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.oecd.org/fr/presse/letat-de-leconomie-mondiale-sameliore-mais-leurope-reste-a-la-traine.htm http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/2763271-par-dela-le-pouvoir-et-le-marche Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/2763271-par-dela-le-pouvoir-et-le-marche http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/2490081-oui-aux-petits-etats-unis-d-europe Wed, 08 Aug 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.presseurop.eu/fr/content/article/2490081-oui-aux-petits-etats-unis-d-europe http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=3825&lan=EN Sat, 31 Jan 2004 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.mondialisations.org/php/public/art.php?id=3825&lan=EN http://nationalinterest.org/article/can-european-democracy-survive-globalization-1184 Sat, 01 Sep 2001 00:00:00 +0000 http://nationalinterest.org/article/can-european-democracy-survive-globalization-1184