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Growth projections for the first half of this year have been revised slightly upward in the Commission’s forecast for both the EU and the euro area. But because of marginal downward revisions for the second half of 2010, the projected rate of GDP growth in 2010 as a whole remains broadly unchanged at 0.7% in both areas.

EU interim forecast: recovery is in progress but remains fragile

By: EC Press Room | Friday, February 26, 2010

The EU economy is gradually recovering, whilst still facing headwinds. Real GDP started to grow again in the third quarter of 2009, ending the longest and deepest recession in the EU's history. The exceptional crisis measures put in place in the EU played a major role in turning the economy around.

What was the real reason for Obama’s refusal to come to Madrid? Charles Grant, director of the Center for European Reform said: ‘Obama clearly has no emotional identification with Europe. He has a cool analytical view of allies and partners. When the Europeans can’t provide much to help America solve global security problems, Obama doesn’t want to spend too much time on it’.

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.

The EP recognised that financial data are crucial in tracking terrorist activities but it took also the matter of data protection law as well as for example the principle of reciprocity extremely seriously.

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.

The European Council president has called this extraordinary meeting to allow the twenty-seven member states to analyse their economic plans for the coming years.

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.

Is Obama really confused by the power struggle between the Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero, who holds in the first half year of 2010 the rotating EU Presidency, and the new permanent EU President Herman Van Rompuy?

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.

The strategy that Europe developed in 2000 has not met with expectations. The so-called Lisbon Strategy was supposed to transform the Union's economy into

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.

Commenting on the European Central Bank, Stiglitz said it was a paradox that the ECB was prepared to lend to banks at effectively zero interest but was not prepared to do the same for EU member-state governments.

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.

Several of the beneficiaries, such as the European Movement International, Friends of Europe and the Union of European Federalists, have an openly pro-integration position.

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 denied that Greece has sought, or is seeking, to raise loans either from its fellow European Union member countries or from China to help meet its financing needs.

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.

Committee of the Regions' president Luc Van den Brande

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".

In the Old World dating scene, a woman who is very sexually active is considered a slut, while men who engage in frequent sexual activity are thought to be great lovers (or, in a worst case scenario, they are more likely to develop prostate cancer). When it comes to the enlargement of European Union, though, just how many partners are too many partners?

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.

Questions for the candidates ranged on everything from the views, policies, political convictions to financial affairs

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.

Olli Rehn, the EU's incoming economic and monetary affairs commissioner

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.

Miguel Angel Moratinos, Spanish foreign minister with the Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero

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.

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EU Actually

Volkswagen is going to lay off 100.000 employees: EU’s automotive industry is in serious trouble

By: N. Peter Kramer

In his weekly column, N. Peter Kramer, writes about the alarming decline of the largest industrial employer in the EU, Volkswagen. EU leaders and the entire automotive sector did not seem to know how to handle China.

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While economic concerns grow, EU citizens value the peaceful, protective and cooperative nature of the EU.

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How Much Pressure Can European CEOs Take?

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