Lords force UK parliament to vote on 'Norway model'
Members of the British parliament will be given a vote to leave the EU on the 'European Economic Area' Norway model, after a majority of Lords surprisingly approved to the idea.
Interview
Norway oil minister: we'll keep drilling because we do it greener
Petroleum and energy minister Terje Soviknes – a member of an anti-tax, anti-EU party – praised Norway's CO2 tax and hoped for European cooperation on carbon capture and storage.
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News in Brief
- Trump warns Nato allies' low budgets will be 'dealt with'
- Only Estonia, Greece and UK hit Nato spending target
- EU to start process to counter US Iran sanctions
- Macedonia PM sees 'possible solutions' in Greek name row
- EU takes six countries to court over air pollution
- New Catalan leader sworn in without reference to Spain
- Merkel and Putin revive dialogue in troubled times
- European companies putting Iran business on hold
Investigation
Tory and National Front websites hid Facebook tracking pixel
At least 11 European political parties, two EU agencies, and the Nordic Council have a controversial tracking pixel on their website.
Opinion
Eco-cooperation with Russia vital for Baltics despite sanctions
Russian sanctions have halted environmental cooperation in the Baltic Sea, putting millions of EU citizens living in the region at risk.
Finland plans 'Arctic Corridor' linking China to Europe
Some 500km of rails from Norway to Finland and a tunnel from Finland to Estonia are missing, but new prospects of Chinese funding are providing fresh impetus.
Feature
Norwegian polluters want state-led CO2 storage
Three companies want to participate in a carbon capture and storage project – but they want the Norwegian government to pay for it.
Feature
Nordic scientists warn Brussels over 'superbugs'
Superbugs already kill 25,000 Europeans each year, despite hospitals fighting to stop the antibiotic resistant bacteria from spreading. This week the Nordic Council lobbied Brussels to wake up.
Greenland votes with eye on independence
Six out of seven political parties running in Greenland's parliamentary elections on Tuesday are pro-independence, but they disagree on how fast the last ties to Copenhagen should be cut. Increasing dependence on China could be the consequence.
Magazine
Bioeconomy is a win-win strategy for Finland
"The big problem in the world today is a lack of resources and a lack of bio-diversity," says Finnish environment minister Kimmo Tiilikainen. His country plans to produce what the world needs the most.
Merkel: Nord Stream 2 is 'political'
Germany has for the first time acknowledged concerns on the "political" and "strategic" aspects of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
Nordic states discuss targeted Russia sanctions
Momentum is building in Denmark and Sweden for the adoption of Magnitsky Acts - a form of sanctions hated by the Kremlin.
Stakeholder
Behind the scenes of the Nordic model
The Nordic is comprised of 74 regions and, combined, is the 12th largest economy in the world. The State of the Nordic Region 2018 gives a unique look behind the scenes of the world's most integrated region.
Feature
Catalonia shows that 'Europe of Regions' is dead
"A Europe of regions created by the state is like electrical cars created by oil companies," Catalan separatist leader Carles Puigdemont told EUobserver.
Norway defends new Arctic oil drilling
Norway's oil and gas is "extremely important" for Europe's energy supply, oil minister says, rejecting calls to stop drilling to prevent global warming.
Sweden raises alarm on election meddling
Nordic state to create new government agency to protect its September election from Russian and other interference.
Trump says US could stay in Paris deal
President Donald Trump hinted that the US could 'conceivably' stay in the Paris climate change agreement, during a meeting in which Norway's PM pointed out the sales of US-made Tesla electric cars in her country.
Stakeholders' Highlights
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Latest News
- Zuckerberg and Trump top the EU's agenda This WEEK
- Integration of Syrian refugees in Europe needs scrutiny
- Bulgarian PM: No asylum reform without stronger border
- Eight countries to miss EU data protection deadline
- Italian populists to defy EU debt rules
- Commission 'playing tricks' with EU budget figures
- How France escaped EU legal action over chemical ban
- 'Connectivity' trumps enlargement at Balkans summit
Interview
Nordic-Baltic digital market 'no threat to EU'
'What we want do is add value on top, and do things' such as border controls and free data movement, said Norwegian state secretary Paul Chaffey about Nordic-Baltic digital cooperation.
Opinion
Iceland: further from EU membership than ever
With fewer pro-EU MPs in the Iceland parliament than ever before, any plans to resume 'candidate' membership of the bloc are likely to remain on ice, as the country prioritises national sovereignty and a more left-wing path.
Russia warns Denmark on gas pipeline
Russia said its Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline might bypass Danish waters, after a new law that increased uncertainty on permits.
Interview
Greenland prepares for Brexit - and possible independence
The Arctic country is trying to adapt its economy and society to Brexit, climate change and possible independence from Denmark, fisheries and hunting minister Karl-Kristian Kruse told EUobserver.
Iceland gets first Green prime minister
Leader of the Leftist-Green Movement, Katrin Jakobsdottir, will become Iceland's first Green prime minister.
EU leaders make pledge on social issues after populist backlash
Under pressure from rising populism, European leaders have vowed to put people first at a 'social summit' in Gothenburg - the first such event in 20 years.
Small EU states caught between France and Germany
How Northern European countries prepare for future navigation between Germany and France in a new European power balance following Brexit.
Stakeholder
Nordic countries prioritise fossil fuel subsidy reform
Nordic countries are cooperating to switch from subsidising fossil fuels to investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Let Puigdemont fight elections, Nobel winner says
Spain should allow Catalonia's deposed political leaders to return freely home and participate in the upcoming December elections, Finnish former president and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Martti Ahtisaari, has advised.
Nordic people prioritise closer defence cooperation
"We live in turbulent times so people want to seek comfort," says Norway's new defence minister Frank Bakke-Jensen as Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland - plus Baltics - meet in Helsinki.
Rotterdam and Oslo compete to set up first CO2 highway
While Rotterdam's project has received a boost by the political support for carbon storage in the new Dutch coalition deal, Norway's has suffered a setback.
Iceland set to re-elect scandal-hit prime minister
The Left Green Movement was leading in polls until very recently - but now surveys suggest the Independence Party, historically Iceland's largest, will remain the lead party in government following Saturday's elections.
Norway and Poland reach deal on €809m aid scheme
Negotiations were stalled for weeks, as Warsaw tried to capture funds earmarked for the civil sector.
In Iceland: Europe woos Arctic allies
The EU is requesting a status of observer at the Arctic Council, a regional forum in which Asian countries are already active.
Danish bank accused of Russia money laundering
Denmark's top lender, Danske Bank, played an "organised" role in a Russian money-laundering scam, French prosecutors have said.
Gender equality best in Sweden, worst in Greece
Italy has made the most improvement in creating a gender equal society, but Sweden still ranks top and Greece at the bottom, a new report says.
Stakeholders' Highlights
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- Progress on China-EU Cooperation
- World's Energy Ministers to Meet in Oresund in May to Discuss Green Energy
- Parabéns! Portugal Votes to Respect the Rights of Trans and Intersex People
- Jobs, Energy, Steel: Government Work Report Sets China's Targets
- Kantor Center Annual Report on Antisemitism Worldwide - The Year the Mask Came Off
- Calls for the Protection of Children in the Gaza Strip
- Foreign Minister Wang Yi Highlights Importance of China-EU Relations
- Immigration and Integration in the Nordic Region - Getting the Facts Straight
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Macedonians in Bulgaria Demand to End the Anti-Macedonian Name Negotiations
- The EIB Needs to Lead by Example on Tax Justice
- Trans People in Sweden to be Paid Compensation for Forced Sterilisation
- The Danger of Standing Up for Justice and Rights in Central Asia
- China and EU Must Work Together to Promote Global Steel Sector
- EU Tax Proposal on Digital Services Causes Concern for Small Exporting Economies
- Condemns the Horrific Murder of Holocaust Survivor Mireille Knoll in Paris
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- An Opportunity to Help Shape a Better Future for Europe
- Controversial Turkish Azerbaijani Gas Pipeline Gets Major EU Loan
- Syria’s Children ‘At Risk of Never Fully Recovering', New Study Finds
- Meets with US Congress Member to Denounce Anti-Macedonian Name Negotiations
