Europeans think new 'Cold War' is here - but not for them
The report also showed that Europeans consider EU institutions to be more likely, than their own governments, to be in a Cold War with China and Russia, alongside Washington.
News in Brief
- EU to propose universal phone-charger law
- Russian bomber-planes cause alarm in Baltic Sea
- French EU official bemoans 'broken' US relations
- Lithuania issues warning on spiked Chinese phones
- Pandemic saw rise in threats to civil society NGOs
- German Social Democrats' lead narrows
- Mediterranean sea-level rising 2.5mm a year
- Litvinenko was killed by Russia, European court rules
Column
Long ago, there was another Angela Merkel
There is one female leader in European history whom Merkel resembles much more than the fiery, authoritarian Catherine the Great, who once staged a coup with her lover against her husband. Instead, it is the Habsburg empress Maria-Theresia.
Trust in Dutch government drops, but not for Rutte
New polling found Dutch voters have rapidly started losing trust in all levels of government. 15 percent of those surveyed have "lost all confidence" in the government. The loss of trust does not extend to prime minister Mark Rutte.
Exclusive
French MEPs lead bogus EU monitoring of Russia vote
At least five MEPs and several minor politicians from EU states, many of them French, have spent the past few days in Russia peddling propaganda that its elections were free and fair.
Spain wants energy price discussion at next EU summit
Spain wants to discuss the current energy price spike at the next EU summit in October, and called on the European Commission to provide member states with guidance on how to react to current record gas and electricity prices.
Opinion
The first anniversary of the Abraham Accords
More than 55 agreements between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain are currently underway. These lay the foundation for practical cooperation in almost all fields including: finance, communications, economy, culture, tourism, taxation, investment protection, freedom of movement, water, agriculture and energy.
First refugee deaths confirmed on Belarus-EU border
Poland has confirmed the first fatalities among people trying to enter the EU via Belarus, as the onset of cold weather heightens risk.
EU kept in dark on ex-commissioner's new lobby job
Phil Hogan, the former European commissioner for trade, was this month hired by US-law firm DLA Piper, where he will work out of the Brussels office. Critics say the hire poses questions on weak EU ethics oversight rules on lobbying.
Fraud against EU dropped 20% last year
There were a total of 1,056 fraudulent irregularities in 2020, with a combined financial impact of €371m. Currently, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain do not have domestic anti-fraud plans.
French outrage over US security deal exposes EU frustrations
EU foreign ministers were expected to discuss the implication of a security deal between the US, UK, and Australia on the margins of the UN general assembly. The deal has cast a shadow on the bloc's trade talks with Australia.
Auditors slam EU Commission on green investments
The European Court of Auditors called for more consistent EU action on sustainable finance. The European Commission, by its own estimation, will need to invest €1 trillion a year to transition to a zero-carbon economy by 2050.
Youth migration 'costing West Balkans up to €5.5bn a year'
To estimate the economic footprint, the research takes into account both the costs associated with education, €2.46bn, as well as the potential loss in GDP growth due the loss of the countries' youth.
Opinion
Central & Eastern Europe: What Merkel did for us
East Germany's Angela Merkel, understanding the history and complexity of the region, stuck to her 'open door' policy. Nobody expects her successors to be as accommodating.
Netherlands against more rights for rejected asylum-seekers
A leaked Council document provides a partial overview of member state positions on a new EU strategy on voluntary returns and reintegration. The Dutch are concerned any new legal framework on voluntary returns could lead to greater rights.
EU fishing fleet gets up to €1.5bn tax break, despite emissions
The EU fishing fleet receives up to €1.5bn from tax breaks each year - despite emitting the same amount of CO2 as Malta in a year from burning fuel, according to a new report.
Loophole: Italy's vaccinated migrants can't get Covid pass
In order to download the green Covid pass, Italy's online national health system requires users to key in their national health card code. As such, migrants might be vaccinated, but they are unable to prove it.
Agenda
UN annual meeting plus Poland in focus This WEEK
The Polish Constitutional Tribunal is holding a hearing on the issue of whether EU law has primacy in the country. It is not clear whether the tribunal will deliver a ruling.
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Latest News
- French MEPs lead bogus EU monitoring of Russia vote
- Europeans think new 'Cold War' is here - but not for them
- Spain wants energy price discussion at next EU summit
- Trust in Dutch government drops, but not for Rutte
- Long ago, there was another Angela Merkel
- The first anniversary of the Abraham Accords
- First refugee deaths confirmed on Belarus-EU border
- EU kept in dark on ex-commissioner's new lobby job
Opinion
No EU strategic autonomy without Libyan stability
Libya's political disarray and the internationalisation of its civil war are profoundly concerning, not only morally but also for Europe's security and dignity.
Exclusive
MEPs suspect Gazprom manipulating gas price
MEPs from across the political spectrum suspect Russian gas giant Gazprom manipulates market prices. They have written to the EU Commission asking for an investigation. According to the signatories, Gazprom is pressuring Europe to open the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Opinion
Fast fashion vs. climate - how 'repair & resell' is the new model
With the drive for lower prices and emergence of more and more 'fast-fashion' brands, durability is inevitably compromised. However, through new regulation, selling durable products shall no longer be a design option - it will be a legal requirement.
Letter
Right of reply: Erik Bergkvist, S&D MEP and shadow rapporteur
We are setting the standard for many years to come. Rest assured; I have a clear mandate from my group and I am doing everything in my power to kick out fossil fuels from EU financing.
EU Commission blocks anti-fraud funds without explanation
The European Commission has blocked the recently-created European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) from using their budget to hire the specialised personnel they need. It has not explained why.
Centre-right MEPs abstain on gender-violence vote
Around 90 centre-right European People's Party (EPP) lawmakers abstained in a vote to list gender-based violence a crime under EU law, while almost as many voted in favour.
World off track to meet climate targets, despite Covid-19
Climate change has not been slowed down by the pandemic and the world remains off-track to meet 2015 Paris Agreement climate targets, the UN has warned- just weeks ahead of the COP26 summit.
Exclusive
EU to call out Russian aggression at Kyiv summit
The EU is planning to firm up criticism of Russian aggression at its next Ukraine summit, as low-intensity fighting continues to claim lives.
EU urges member states to better protect journalists
EU commission vice-president Věra Jourová said the commission will pressure member states to do more, but without legal tools, the commission has little say.
Von der Leyen issues rallying cry for more EU sovereignty
The Commission president hailed the EU's scientific capabilities at providing the most vaccines to the world, and the speed at which the bloc rolled out its digital Covid-19 vaccine certificate, as examples of the EU's resources and capacities.
Von der Leyen doubles up on vaccine-donation pledge
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen praised the EU's vaccination roll-out as a success and announced that the EUn will donate 200 million additional doses to low-income countries - doubling its current pledge.
Why won't EU forces fight together, von der Leyen asks?
The European Commission chief has called for EU "political will" to send joint forces into combat in a rough new world.
EU pitches infrastructure investment plan to rival China
Ursula von der Leyen launched a global investment operation directed at infrastructure and transport. Its aim is to compete with the China's Belt and Road. "We want to create links and not dependencies," she said.
Exclusive
EU diplomats oppose common forest-monitoring rules
EU diplomats have raised concerns about the scope of the new forest strategy - and its implications for member states' national competencies, according to draft conclusions seen by EUobserver.
EU 'stands by Afghans' but wants most kept away
The European Commission wants to help vulnerable Afghans to reach the EU, while seeking to resettle thousands of others. But an internal document also says those not welcomed should be returned to transit or so-called third countries.
Opinion
Russia's biggest enemy? Its own economy
Russia's leaders have been fully aware of the reasons for its underlying economic weakness for more than two decades. Dependency on energy exports and the lack of technological innovation were themes of Vladimir Putin's first state-of-the-nation address back in 2000.
