Russia’s war in Ukraine triggers U-turn in Germany’s foreign policy thinking
By: EBR | Monday, February 28, 2022
With Russia’s war in Ukraine presenting a ‘turning point’, Germany has shifted its position on major foreign and defence topics – ranging from arms deliveries, defence spending, sanctions and diplomacy
Ukraine: EU coordinating emergency assistance and steps up humanitarian aid
By: EBR | Monday, February 28, 2022
As the humanitarian situation in Ukraine worsens and neighbouring countries receive Ukrainians fleeing their country, the European Commission is working on all fronts to provide emergency assistance
Is Belarus’s Sovereignty Over?
By: EBR | Friday, February 25, 2022
Belarus is instrumental in Russia’s ongoing military attack on Ukraine. Developments since the 2020 rigged election in Belarus and the forthcoming changes to its constitution reflect Lukashenko’s growing dependence on Putin
Permitting issues risk derailing EU’s renewable energy targets, warns wind industry
By: EBR | Thursday, February 24, 2022
Complex and slow permitting procedures are stalling the rollout of wind power in Europe, meaning the EU will likely miss its climate goals and be dependent on unreliable gas supplies for longer, the wind industry has warned
UK firms stung by €5bn in customs fees as confusion reigns over EU trade pact
By: EBR | Thursday, February 24, 2022
Customs duties paid by UK businesses increased by 64% to a record £4.5bn (€5.2bn) in the year to 31 January 2022, up from £2.9bn (€3.6bn) in the previous 12 months, according to research released on Wednesday
Could Nord Stream 2 still be resurrected?
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 23, 2022
The White House said the development of Nord Stream 2 is “not moving forward at this point in time” after steps by Germany to halt the Baltic Sea gas pipeline project
Europe: Between Being Defenseless and Defensive
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Emmanuel Macron’s bid to build a “Europe that protects” is not misguided; it outflanks both the siege mentality of a defensive continent and the artlessness of a defenseless one. But it will remain a mere ambition if Europe fails to protect itself
EU aims to scale up infrastructure for permanent carbon removals
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 22, 2022
The European Commission is looking at ways of building up infrastructure for transporting and permanently storing CO2 underground as well as recycling carbon into new products
EU Parliament adopts ‘Eurovignette’ directive, ending five years of tortuous talks
By: EBR | Friday, February 18, 2022
Controversial revisions to EU rules on road tolls were adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday (17 February), clearing the final hurdle of a multi-year legislative odyssey, which started in 2017
The EU must speak with one voice on foreign policy
By: EBR | Thursday, February 17, 2022
MEPs call for a more effective EU foreign and security policy and a stronger defence capability to respond to threats, in two reports adopted on Thursday
Boost offshore renewable energy sources to meet climate targets
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 16, 2022
MEPs set out recommendations on how to deploy offshore wind more quickly, in a report adopted on Wednesday
High recycling rate of PET bottles questioned in new study
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 16, 2022
PET bottles used as packaging for soft drinks and mineral waters are often touted as the greenest type of plastic, with one of the highest recycling rates in the industry
Join forces at EU level for sustainable international supply chains
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 16, 2022
European business and union leaders need to work together to foster sustainable international supply chains
Key EU lawmaker aims for April deal on Digital Markets Act
By: EBR | Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Landmark EU rules aimed at curbing the power of US tech giants could be agreed between lawmakers and EU countries as soon as April, with sticking points expected to be thrashed out in coming weeks, a key lawmaker leading the talks said on Tuesday
Europe’s winning formula for spending €150 billion in Africa
By: EBR | Tuesday, February 15, 2022
The EU’s Global Gateway can help create tools to foster Africa-Europe manufacturing value chains that can outcompete China
The sensible bet is to accelerate the energy transition
By: EBR | Monday, February 14, 2022
The energy price shock currently gripping Europe is settling in for the long term and needs to be addressed with market reforms to avoid high gas prices pushing up the cost of electricity, writes Teresa Ribera
Automotive industry sounds alarm over expansion of e-charging stations
By: EBR | Friday, February 11, 2022
Germany has fallen far behind its targets for expanding e-car infrastructure and will likely miss its 2030 e-mobility target, according to the German Association of the Automotive Industry
Do the Europeans Trust France?
By: EBR | Friday, February 11, 2022
President Macron’s diplomatic overtures to end the Ukraine-Russia crisis won him cautious praise but also drew criticism. While some EU member states are skeptical of Paris, the alternatives to French leadership are few
MEPs want to strengthen new EU rules for design, production and disposal of batteries
By: EBR | Friday, February 11, 2022
MEPs say new measures for batteries are crucial for the transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy and for EU’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy
Winter 2022 Economic Forecast: Growth expected to regain traction after winter slowdown
By: EBR | Friday, February 11, 2022
The Winter 2022 Economic Forecast projects that, following a notable expansion by 5.3% in 2021, the EU economy will grow by 4.0% in 2022 and 2.8% in 2023
By: N. Peter Kramer
