Magazine
Visegrad cracks and divisions
The V4 countries have become one of the most vocal and recognised groups within the EU. But 2017 has seen a shake-up in the informal eastern and central European power bloc.
Magazine
In 2018, make Europe great again!
Is the EU back on track to make Europe great again? The fifth edition of EUobserver's Europe in Review magazine looks at the biggest events that shaped the EU in 2017 and prospects for 2018.
Latest News
- Northern Europe — the new Nato/Russia frontline
- The EU-Kenya free trade deal shows a waning 'Brussels effect'
- Hoekstra pledges to phase-out fossil fuel subsidies
- 10 years on from the Lampedusa shipwreck — what's changed?
- EU ministers go to Kyiv to downplay fears on US, Slovak aid
- Hoekstra faces tough questioning to be EU Green chief
- Frontex shared personal data of NGO staff with Europol six times
- Why EU Commission dumped Google's favourite consultant
Magazine
EU agencies: The road to 'douze points'
The European Medicines Agency and, to a lesser extent, the European Banking Authority, was the most sought-after EU agencies in 2017, as no less than 21 member states competed to host them after Brexit.
Magazine
Schulz: 'hero to zero' in 2017 - but back in 2018?
For Martin Schulz, 2017 was the year he was supposed to go from European Parliament president to German chancellor. He failed badly yet now he looks set to return to centre-stage in 2018, possibly as Germany's foreign minister.
Magazine
The asylum files: deadlock and dead-ends
The EU is reforming a number of internal asylum laws, but lack of staff, politics, and the sheer complexity of the bills means deadlines - like those announced by EU council chief Tusk - are likely to come and go.
Magazine
Macron: Hegelian hero of EU history?
The election of the 39-year old newcomer injected new hope and dynamism. But the French president still has to find solid allies in the EU and deliver his ambitious agenda at home.
EUobserver's most read stories of 2017
From Trump to Brexit, and from fake news to Poland, here's a look back at our 15 most popular articles of the year.
Magazine
Brexit timeline - 'The clock is ticking'
'The clock is ticking' - a favourite phrase of EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier - has become a stark warning, as the UK government took nine months to initiate the Brexit process and even longer to clarify its positions.
Magazine
Michel Barnier: The UK's best friend in Brussels
The EU's chief Brexit negotiator is an atypical French politician, with a love for mountains and Europe. He has been steering Brexit talks with a steady hand, and a deal could catapult him to the higher echelons of EU politics.
Magazine
The EU and US in the age of Trump
America's face changed when Donald Trump replaced Barack Obama. But one year on, the foundations of the transatlantic relationship are still intact.
Magazine
How the EU failed to prevent the Catalan 'train crash'
The 1 October independence referendum in the Catalan region of Spain caught the EU off-guard. From Barcelona to Madrid and also in Brussels, everyone sleepwalked into the crisis.
Magazine
EU 'solidarity' on migration focuses on Africa
EU states appear to have found common ground in trying to prevent people with no right to international protection from ever leaving for Europe. The EU is ready to use any means necessary to convince 'origin-and-transit' countries to cooperate.
Magazine
EU legitimacy in question
From lost referendums to growing contention of the EU's role in policies, people's commitment to the European project has diminished further this year.
Magazine
The rise and shine of Visegrad
The V4 countries - Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - has turned the EU's migration policy around. They now set their sights on reshaping the union.
Magazine
Refugee crisis, the vain search for solidarity
The EU's migration policy in 2016 was marked by a record number of deaths at the Mediterranean and deep rifts among member states on how to handle asylum.
Magazine
Trade: Is Europe still open for business?
EU trade policy has become a target for environmentalists, transparency advocates and populists alike, casting a doubt whether Europe can still close trade deals.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- The Nordic Region is stepping up its efforts to reduce food waste
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- Global interest in the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations – here are the speakers for the launch
Magazine
Dieselgate: The year that went up in smoke
The outrage at Volkswagen's industrial-scale emissions cheating has not subsided, but the EU and Germany have done little to punish the automaker or provide compensation to its customers.
Magazine
Brexit by accident
The British vote to leave the EU was, in large part, the product of neglect and circumstance. But it is also too late to put the genie back in the bottle.
Magazine
Barrosogate and the revolt of public opinion
Just days after Britain's vote to leave the EU, the bloc was rocked by the news that commission ex-president, Jose Manuel Barroso, had landed a top job with Goldman Sachs.
Magazine
Trump: The day that shook the Western world
The election of the property magnate after a campaign marked by racism, sexism and "post-truth" arguments will have consequences for EU security, politics and public debate.
Magazine
EU in 2016: Reports of death exaggerated?
EU states will, this year, try to save Schengen by sealing external borders and try to keep Britain in the Union: A big agenda, which makes normal EU law-making look small.
Magazine
Big victories and rollbacks for data in year of terror
The European Court of Justice delivered stunning verdicts in 2015 to protect citizens' fundamental privacy rights over mass-surveillance.
EUobserver wishes you a Happy New Year
EUobserver will continue to report on the EU exactly as it is - good or bad. But let's hope there will be better news to report in 2016.
EUobserver's most read stories of 2015
2015 was a news-filled year. Here’s a look back at our 20 most popular articles of the year.
Magazine
Russia-EU relations in 2015: From Ukraine to Syria
The anti-Ukraine and anti-Western propaganda became so shrill EU leaders launched a new counter-propaganda cell in the EU foreign service.
Magazine
'Dictator' vindicated
In January, Viktor Orban's inflammatory comments concerning migrants raised eyebrows. By the end of the year, politicians across Europe echoed his sentiments.
Magazine
Greece seeks stability
In July, Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras was a night away from leading his country out of the eurozone. His challenge for the coming year will be to avoid new political tussles.
Magazine
Unwanted exodus
The year when borders came back to Europe.
Magazine
Terrorism shakes Europe
Attacks in Paris, Copenhagen and the Thalys train have revealed a lack of cooperation between member states and put the Schengen area under pressure.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- 20 June: Launch of the new Nordic Nutrition Recommendations
- Join CEE Sustainable Finance Summit, 15 – 19 May 2023, high-level event for finance & business
- Seven actionable measures to make food procurement in Europe more sustainable
- World Bank Report Highlights Role of Human Development for a Successful Green Transition in Europe
- Nordic summit to step up the fight against food loss and waste
- Think-tank: Strengthen co-operation around tech giants’ influence in the Nordics
