No Obama in Madrid, no Swift agreement with the US
By: N. Peter Kramer | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Relations between EU and US have known better times. In January President Barack Obama cancelled his presence at the EU-US Summit scheduled for May in Madrid; in its February plenary session, a majority in the European Parliament rejected an agreement on banking data transfers to the US.
European Parliament shows its new muscles!
By: N. Peter Kramer | Friday, February 12, 2010
It was a hard job for Jerzy Buzek President of the European Parliament! Usually he is busy with lecturing Russia and shaking hands with former winners of the Sakharov Prize.
EU holding top-level discussion on economic situation
By: EBR | Thursday, February 11, 2010
In Brussels today European leaders are seeking commitment to the aim of implementing a renewed economic strategy for employment and growth in the EU and at the same time will debate how to help Greece resolve its budgetary crisis.
Parliament set to gain new powers in its relations with the Commission
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The European Parliament approved on Tuesday a set of key principles to be implemented in the cooperation agreement governing relations between the EP and the Commission. Commission President Barroso endorsed MEPs' demands, reflecting the new position of Parliament under the Lisbon Treaty.
Conference of Presidents gives go-ahead for vote on Commission
By: EBR | Monday, February 8, 2010
The Conference of Presidents, comprising the EP President and the political group leaders, considered on Thursday the results of the complete set of hearings of the Commissioners-designate.
Commotion in Brussels and Madrid: Obama rejects EU-US summit
By: N. Peter Kramer | Friday, February 5, 2010
What is the real reason for Obama’s decision not to participate in the EU-US summit scheduled for Madrid in May? The White House explained the decision as a matter of scheduling, insisting that the May visit to Europe was never on Obama’s agenda.
Verhofstadt's open letter to Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council
By: Guy Verhofstadt, President of the ALDE Group in the EP | Friday, February 5, 2010
Further to your initiative, the heads of state and government will hold an informal summit on 11 February on what could be called the "state of the union". I think that this is a good and timely initiative. In the meantime the Lisbon Treaty has been in force for over two months.
Fears surrounding Greek economy 'irrational', Stiglitz claims
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Fears that the Greek economy will collapse were "irrational", Nobel-prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz said during a press conference in Athens, after the end of an Economist Conference held in the city.
EU-funded think tanks defend their credibility
By: EBR | Friday, January 29, 2010
The European Commission will in 2010 pay €6.7 million in subsidies to a group of think tanks and NGOs. The grants cover 58 organisations, ranging from some of Brussels' best known talking shops, such as Cafe Babel to niche bodies such as the European Paralympic Committee.
Papandreou at Davos: 'The crisis should not only be seen as a challenge, but also as an opportunity'
By: EBR | Friday, January 29, 2010
Greek Prime Minister George A. Papandreou acknowledged that his country faces a big “credibility gap” over its public finances, but said that the government is taking the measures needed to restore international confidence in its economy.
Euro-Mediterranean partnership starts work in Barcelona
By: EBR | Monday, January 25, 2010
Committee of the Regions' president Luc Van den Brande has hailed the inaugural meeting of the Euro-Mediterranean Regional and Local Assembly (Arlem) as "the start of a new era".
The perfect wedding dress
By: Gianni Skaragas | Monday, January 25, 2010
It seems that, as in relationship tactics, the rules of political courtship are still the same variations of the marriage game: No other dress comes with more anticipation – imbued with hope, promise and intimacy — than the wedding dress.
EU launches 2010 European Year: Stop poverty now!
By: EBR | Thursday, January 21, 2010
The European Commission and the Spanish Presidency of the EU will tomorrow launch the 2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. Under the slogan “Stop Poverty Now!”, the campaign aims to put the fight against poverty, centre stage across the EU during 2010.
Nikiforos Diamandouros re-elected as European Ombudsman
By: EBR | Thursday, January 21, 2010
Nikiforos Diamandouros (Greece) was re-elected European Ombudsman . Mr Diamandouros, who has held the position since 2003, was backed by 340 MEPs in a secret plenary vote. The European Ombudsman investigates citizens' complaints of maladministration by EU institutions.
What next for biodiversity protection in the EU?
By: EBR | Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The European Commission marked the opening of the International Year of Biodiversity with a paper setting out future options for biodiversity policy. Despite past efforts, species extinctions are continuing at alarming rates, and a new vision is required to halt these losses.
New Commissioners: Highlights of the hearings
By: EBR | Monday, January 18, 2010
Last week the European Parliament's József Antall building in Brussels was the centre of intense grilling of potential future commissioners. Questions for the candidates ranged on everything from the views, policies, political convictions to financial affairs.
The Crisis as opportunity for Global Governance
By: Anna Diamantopoulou | Friday, January 15, 2010
There is a growing consensus that global problems ranging from recession to climate change require an internationally-agreed response. The EU’s reactions since the outset of the current economic turmoil can best be summarized as coordinated rather than unitary.
Rehn to propose economic 'high representative'
By: Euractiv | Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Europe's economic recovery depends on greater fiscal co-ordination and speaking with a single voice at global economic fora, Olli Rehn, the EU's incoming economic and monetary affairs commissioner, told MEPs at a parliamentary hearing on January 11.
Spain vows to take backstage role as EU President
By: Euractiv | Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Spain vowed to take a backstage role during its stint as holder of the six-month rotating EU Presidency, saying the frontmen will be Herman Van Rompuy, the EU's first permanent President, and Catherine Ashton, the new High Representative for foreign affairs.
2009 in Review: The Year of Obama
By: EBR | Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Obama dominated 2009 as no freshman-year president has since Reagan. As with Reagan, the domination came not only from character and charisma but also from deep public disappointment with his predecessor. Reagan succeeded Jimmy Carter, who was seen as having led the country into a crisis.
By: N. Peter Kramer
