Sunday

1st Oct 2023

Punish Belarus too for aiding Putin's Ukraine war

While Belarus has not sent its own troops to fight Russia's war in Ukraine, the Minsk dictatorship has been heavily involved. As a result, Belarus must be punished for its involvement — what can the world do to sanction Belarus?

How do you make embarrassing EU documents 'disappear'?

The EU Commission's new magic formula for avoiding scrutiny is simple. You declare the documents in question to be "short-lived correspondence for a preliminary exchange of views" and thus exempt them from being logged in the official inventory.

Column

Will Poles vote for the end of democracy?

International media must make clear that these are not fair, democratic elections. The flawed race should be the story at least as much as the race itself.

Latest News

  1. EU women promised new dawn under anti-violence pact
  2. Three steps EU can take to halt Azerbaijan's mafia-style bullying
  3. Punish Belarus too for aiding Putin's Ukraine war
  4. Added-value for Russia diamond ban, as G7 and EU prepare sanctions
  5. EU states to agree on asylum crisis bill, say EU officials
  6. Poland's culture of fear after three years of abortion 'ban'
  7. Time for a reset: EU regional funding needs overhauling
  8. Germany tightens police checks on Czech and Polish border
Time for a reset: EU regional funding needs overhauling

Vasco Alves Cordeiro, president of the European Committee of the Regions, is advocating a revamp of the EU's regional policy so that it better supports all regions in addressing major challenges such as the green and digital transitions.

Europe's energy strategy: A tale of competing priorities

Enhancing energy security empowers nations to heavily invest in renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. But with a stable supply of LNG, Europe can also speed up its shift away from fossil fuels.

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Column

Who's afraid of the Global South?

The once well-organized unipolar world, led by the US with EU support, has evolved as times change. But there is no need to be grumpy or afraid of the Global South and the multipolar world.

The gaping green-hydrogen gap in EU policy

The challenge of decarbonising shipping and aviation has come out of the shadows and into the spotlight this year — but current EU legislation doesn't get either sector to where it needs to go.

Why new EIB chief must prioritise people's basic needs

Whoever takes up presidency of the European Investment Bank will have a huge responsibility to execute meaningful reform and make sure the bank delivers for its ultimate owners, the people and households of the EU.

Time is now for EU to boost animal welfare

The EU likes to pride itself as a leader in animal welfare. But the reality is that its existing legislation is very much out of date. The time to revise EU rules is now, argues the Brussels-based Eurogroup for Animals

A decade of the European Endowment for Democracy

When European Endowment for Democracy was established in 2013, there was scepticism about its raison d'être, and concerns were voiced about the potential for duplicating existing EU efforts. Nearly a decade later, EED has defied these doubts.

Africa climate week proves continent not reliant on West

The Nairobi summit ultimately marked both the first unified voice of the continent in the fight against climate change, and the first time such an ambitious vision of Africa's clean energy prospects has been tabled at such a high-level forum.

Column

Do democrats really *want* to win?

Raymond Aron, the French philosopher, once said that at the end of the day, "I think democracies will win. On one condition, however: they must want it." In today's Europe, there is again reason to doubt this.

Letter

Right of Reply: Ethiopian embassy responds to Human Rights Watch

In her article, Laetitia Bader expresses doubts about the Ethiopian government's ability to deliver justice. We would like to provide insight into Ethiopia's significant efforts in implementing transitional justice policies, fostering healing, and building a more inclusive and just society.

The fightback against EU's subcontracting poverty spiral

The primary victims of abusive subcontracting practices and unregulated labour intermediaries are mobile and migrant workers who, while indispensable to European agriculture, food processing, hospitality, and domestic work sectors, still struggle to attain equal treatment in the workplace.

Finding the remains of drowned migrants is a legal obligation

The authorities must search for, locate and identify the victims of the June migrant boat sinking, and in due course repatriate human remains for burial. This is not a popular political option, but it is a legal and moral obligation.

Shelving Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen dream helps Russia

Bulgaria and Romania's accession to Schengen will again be put to a vote later this year. Another veto would not only represent a missed opportunity to strengthen the border-free zone, but one that could inflame inter-EU tensions.

Poland's democracy is so eroded, it needs full election monitors

Since 2015 elections in Poland have been free but not fair. The OSCE found that the ruling Law & Justice party's exploitation of state-media and public funds for campaigning "amplified its advantage" during the previous 2019 parliamentary election.

After the Scott Morton storm, the fight is on against Big Tech

Was the rejection of an American as EU Commission's chief competition economist simply "nationalist crap"? No, there were five good reasons to reject Fiona Scott Morton — and now there is everything to play for in breaking up Big Tech.

Will the EU take a stance for justice in Ethiopia?

Some EU and member states diplomats argue that they should give the Ethiopian government a chance to demonstrate its willingness to ensure justice. But they've also resigned themselves to a very low bar of domestic accountability.

Ukraine's 2035 coal phase-out needs concrete plan now

Ukraine has confirmed its 2035 coal exit — but only a detailed plan to phase out coal and replace it with renewables will secure its independence from Russia, fast-track EU membership, and contribute to the fight against climate change.

How the EU can help Tunisia avoid a total economic crash

Tunisia possesses both the necessary ingredients and the capacity to invigorate its economy to become a 'Mediterranean tiger'. Yet, this potential has remained largely untapped since the dawn of its 2011 uprising.

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