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The tight timeframe for the Brexit talks have raised the possibility of a transitional deal to allow the UK and EU to finalise a free trade agreement. Such agreements often take many years to finalise.

EU Brexit boss warns of ‘serious repercussions’ if divorce talks fail

By: EBR | Thursday, March 23, 2017

The European Commission’s chief Brexit negotiator today (22 March) warned of serious repercussions for both Britain and the EU if the divorce talks fail without a deal being agreed

Europe is ageing and shrinking, and it is also falling behind in key wealth-creation areas like technological innovation and productivity. By the middle of this century, Europeans will be little more than four percent of a world population projected by the United Nations to reach possibly 11 billion people. Europe will be so elderly that the ratio of workers to pensioners will have shrunk to two-to-one from today’s four-to-one.

Rome’s reality check: the next 60 years will be an uphill struggle

By: EBR | Wednesday, March 22, 2017

With the European Union’s 60th birthday upon us, it seems appropriate to look ahead to the next 60 years: what will Europe look like in 2077?

In 2015, 1.404.398 people were held in penitentiary institutions across Europe, which is 102.880 inmates fewer than the previous year1. The incarceration rate (Prison Population Rate), which is often used as an indicator of how punitive anti-crime policies are, also fell by 7% from 124 inmates to 115.7 inmates per 100.000 inhabitants2. Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland said: “The drop in the overall number of people in prison in Europe is welcome. Increasing the use of alternative sentences does not necessarily lead to higher crime rates but can help to reintegrate offenders and tackle overcrowding.”

Europe’s prison population falls, but there is still overcrowding

By: EBR | Tuesday, March 21, 2017

The number of people held in European prisons decreased by 6.8% from 2014 to 2015, although prison overcrowding remained a problem in 15 countries, according to the latest Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics (SPACE*)

Kukan, the EPP shadow rapporteur for the Albanian dossier in the parliament, said, ”Time is of the essence here. I also repeatedly called on the opposition to reassume their work in the parliament in order to move on with the reform and make all necessary preparations for the upcoming elections.”

EP urges Albanian opposition to back justice reform to boost country’s EU accession bid

By: EBR | Friday, March 17, 2017

A senior Member of the European Parliament has accused Albania's main opposition party of effectively blocking reforms widely seen as being vital in keeping the country's EU accession ambitions alive

Final polls released late Tuesday appeared to show Rutte pulling away from Wilders, crediting the VVD with coming top with 24 to 28 seats.

Dutch vote in key elections as far-right slips

By: EBR | Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Millions of Dutch voters go to the polls Wednesday (15 March) in key elections overshadowed by a blazing diplomatic row with Turkey, with all eyes on the fate of far-right MP Geert Wilders

Scottish voters backed remaining in the European Union by 62% to 38% in the Brexit referendum last year, against the overall United Kingdom trend. But the survey said scepticism about the EU in Scotland was now at the highest level ever recorded by ScotCen.

Poll: Euroscepticism in Scotland at record level

By: EBR | Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Support for Scottish independence is at its highest ever but it might not be the best time for Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to hold a new referendum, a survey by ScotCen’s Scottish Social Attitudes said on Wednesday (15 March)

From the perspective of pure negotiating tactics, May could be simply voicing threats. But to do so without a well-crafted fallback plan is something the UK cannot really afford. It vindicates former prime minister Tony Blair’s description of the UK government as “not driving the (Brexit) bus”, but rather “being driven” by partisan and ideological forces it has not tried to control. Without a real alternative to a hard Brexit, the government is on autopilot, heading towards a cliff.

The best alternative to a ‘hard’ Brexit may be no Brexit at all

By: EBR | Tuesday, March 14, 2017

It seems possible that, if the necessary conditions are created, British voters could decide not to leave the European Union at all

But unravelling four decades of membership and forging new trade ties to replace Britain’s membership of the single market within two years will be fiendishly complex. EU leaders are determined that Brexit will not undermine the unity of the bloc, and that the final terms do not encourage other member states to follow Britain. There have already been sharp exchanges, although European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker voiced hope that Britain would one day return. “I would like to be in the same boat as the British. The day will come when the British will re-enter the boat, I hope,” he said last week.

EU ‘well prepared’ as May prepares to press Brexit trigger

By: EBR | Monday, March 13, 2017

Prime Minister Theresa May is expected to trigger Brexit this week by formally informing the European Union of Britain’s intention to leave the bloc, sending her country into uncharted waters

The risk of new tax competition from the US will likely exacerbate this tension among EU member states that use tax rates to compete amongst each other for business. Not only that: it would blow the new attempt by the European Commission to create a common tax base for large companies that operate in the single market (i.e., firms with a global turnover of over €750 million per year).

Three Trump actions that could rattle Europe’s economy

By: EBR | Monday, March 13, 2017

Recent declarations from the White House risk souring the long-standing economic friendship between Europe and the United States

The report, seen by this website, said, ”The emergence of convergences around common ideals within the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly is an undeniable sign of the vitality of debates held there. ”Similarly, it is normal and healthy for civil society, represented by NGOs, to participate in political debates and to associate with MPs from time to time.

ESISC report alleges MEP links to ’Armenia-supportive’ ’anti-Azerbaijan propaganda’

By: EBR | Thursday, March 9, 2017

New revelations by the European Strategic Intelligence and Security Centre (ESISC) have linked some MEPs either directly or indirectly to Armenia or Armenian-supportive NGOs

EU officials have long championed ambitious innovation policies and cross-border scientific research, yet European productivity keeps on sliding. That’s why it’s time for Brussels to unsheathe its most potent weapon of all – embarrassment. Publicise league tables of national failures and achievements on reversing the productivity slide and public opinion will do the rest.

It is time the EU named and shamed backsliding members

By: EBR | Wednesday, March 8, 2017

A few days ago, the European Commission passed up an ideal moment to warn EU citizens against the greatest threat to their prosperity and that of their children. It wasted an opportunity to persuade eurosceptic voters that the EU still has much worth

Acknowledging the gaps in the protection of the European external borders, we put in place a European Border and Coast Guard which is now fully operational and other projects for a stronger border management of our external borders. We also ensured a more efficient security policy while on migration we did not only respond to the immediate needs but also we proposed a long term strategy. In order for this strategy to be successful, implementation is needed. And this is where we are lacking behind. Many governments of the European Union are still reluctant to comply with their responsibilities and commitments. Yesterday I have sent very clear and strong messages form Brussels, that all Member States need fulfil their commitments and on time! No more excuses and pretexts. It is the moment to show responsibility.

The responsibility to defend Europe

By: EBR | Friday, March 3, 2017

A brief flash-back to the relatively recent historic period would remind us of the tragedies of the two World Wars, of our divided continent, of more than 70 million lost lives, as well as of a landscape of human and natural destruction and devastation

uncker, Merkel and Mogherini are right. Security and development are inextricably linked: there can be no sustainable development without peace and security, while development and poverty eradication are crucial to a viable peace. That is why implementing the Sustainable Development Goals is important.

Security is about more than just military spending

By: EBR | Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Security is not just about strong armies, aircraft carriers and boots-on-the-ground. Peace and stability in the 21st century demand that we tackle so-called ‘soft’ or non-traditional security challenges including development, governance, and environmental degradation

Populist parties and distrust of traditional news media outlets have been growing in Spain, like other cash-strapped European countries. Such movements have spurred an explosion of fake or misleading news, aimed at either promoting certain political views or undermining others’ credibility.

Europe combats a new foe of political stability: fake news

By: EBR | Tuesday, February 28, 2017

BRUSSELS — They scan websites and pore over social media, combing through hundreds of reports a day. But the bogus claims just keep coming

The Agreement will massively benefit European wholesalers and retailers, who depend on global value chains. It is also a good day for developing countries, whose exports will be able to pass customs more quickly and cheaply, making trade work for economic growth and social wellbeing.

WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement: a welcome boost for the World Economy

By: EBR | Tuesday, February 28, 2017

EuroCommerce* is very pleased that the number of ratifications needed for the WTO Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) to enter into force was reached today

Europe’s budgetary rules, which both candidates have targeted in their election campaigns, are another area of divergence. Hamon supports the suspension of the Stability and Growth Pact until such a time as it can be acceptably reformed. The Socialist candidate also wants to exclude investment spending from deficit calculations. Mélenchon, on the other hand, wants to end austerity by dropping the treaties altogether.

Mélenchon and Hamon unable to overcome differences on Europe

By: EBR | Thursday, February 23, 2017

Discussions on a possible coalition between the two left-wing candidates for France’s presidential election appear to have broken down. Their fundamentally different views on the future of Europe make any partnership unworkable

The EU’s efforts to reduce the burden of managing failed banks on taxpayers (the Banking Union, for instance) are positive. However, the centralisation of supervision and decision-making in the European Central Bank has institutionalised the idea that failed banks should be rescued with taxpayer money. Furthermore, the ECB has relied on the firms of the bailout business to execute its supervisory mandate – for instance with stress tests – leading to further market concentration and greater dependency on a small group of firms.

The bailout business in the EU

By: EBR | Thursday, February 23, 2017

Since the 2008 financial crisis broke out, more than €1.5 trillion in taxpayer money has been used to rescue ailing banks in Europe, according to the European Commission. Citizens shouldn’t grow accustomed to this

It’s possible that the die-hards in Theresa May’s government who demand a hard Brexit will win the day, causing a degree of havoc in the UK economy that some analysts put at £100bn in costs and lost growth. But perhaps cooler heads will prevail, with their warnings that by value half of all Britain’s exports go to the EU, and that leaving the single market threatens the UK’s position as the leading recipient of foreign direct investment in Europe.

Don’t start Brexit talks with a clash on cash

By: EBR | Wednesday, February 22, 2017

The eyes of the world will soon be on the Brexit negotiations, amid widespread fears that they may end in a ‘train crash’, not least because of a cash clash. Here’s a suggestion for averting that – or at least making it much less likely

The process of comitology already underwent severe changes when the Lisbon Treaty was signed. Commission involvement was increased and so-called trilogues, attended by representatives of the three main institutions, have been used more and more. The lack of transparency of the latter has been routinely called into question.

Commission fluffs lines on decision-making reform

By: EBR | Thursday, February 16, 2017

The European Commission has revealed its long-awaited reform of the so-called comitology decision-making process

Next week might come too soon for every ‘i’ to be dotted and every ’t’ to be crossed. I would be very happy if significant progress with the Greek government is made by that point. It might be the case that the agreement is ready by the meeting after, in March.

Eurogroup deputy: ‘Grexit is a non-issue’

By: EBR | Thursday, February 16, 2017

Thomas Wieser has been president of the Eurogroup Working Group since 2012. It is an advisory body made up of representatives from the Economic and Financial Committee, the European Commission and the European Central Bank

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