EurActiv - European Union Information Website (EU and Europe)

'Buy French', a questionable panacea for industrial woes (Analysis)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:51:51 +0100

'Buy French' and 'Made in France' have become the new catchphrases for candidates in the French presidential election, but the concept is questionable at least, writes Mathieu Magnaudeix, from Mediapart.

Foreigners' right to vote: Let’s start with the Europeans! (Analysis)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:35:08 +0100

EU citizens who reside in another EU member state should be allowed to participate in general elections just like the nationals of that country, writes Philippe Cayla, president of Euronews.

Greek deal seen buying time as tragedy unfolds (News)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:01:45 +0100

Analysts and politicians concur that the second bailout plan for Greece, agreed yesterday (21 February), has only bought Athens more time, with some already betting on a discreet euro exit for the debt-laden and recession-stricken economy.

Greece, Macedonia to meet with little expectation (News)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:48:17 +0100

Greek and Macedonian leaders are to meet on the sidelines of next week's EU summit amid few indications that they will make in headway in the dispute over national identity that has prevented Macedonia from starting accession talks since becoming an EU candidate seven years ago.

‘Trade war’ fears as Moscow aviation meeting debates ETS (News)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:25:51 +0100

As a ‘coalition of the unwilling’ meets in Moscow to debate retaliatory measures against the EU’s inclusion of airlines in the Emissions Trading System (ETS), a senior Airbus executive has warned of a ‘trade war’.

Bosnia and Herzegovina readies EU membership bid (News)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:13:16 +0100

The new central government of Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to meet all conditions set by the European Union over the next month and apply for membership by the end of June, the Balkan country's new prime minister told Reuters.

Commission looks to new standards for public sector data (News)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:00:37 +0100

The European Commission launched this month a consultation designed to streamline electronic public-sector information amid uncertainty as to how new data protection rules will affect public administrations as well as the private sector.

Greek bailout gambles on mass privatisations, wage cuts (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:15:59 +0100

The eurozone's second attempt at reversing Greece's economic fortunes will rely heavily on mass privatisations and brutal salary cuts aimed at transforming the debt-laden country into a competitive, export-driven economy by 2014, EU officials said.

Europe must resist Canada’s tar sands PR machine (Analysis)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:17:17 +0100

Europe should remain firm in its target to stay away from high-carbon oil and resist the pressure from some Canadian tar sands lobbies, writes Pieter De Pous from the European Environmental Bureau.

Germany: EU to strengthen sanctions against Syria (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:29:31 +0100

The European Union is likely to adopt fresh sanctions against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the coming week, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said.

Ministers debate new EU powers over national budgets (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:53:23 +0100

The EU's 27 finance ministers will be debating new transfers of power to the European Commission when they meet on Tuesday (21 February), as they examine proposals to tighten control over member states' budgets in the wake of the eurozone's debt crisis.

Foundations chief: Common EU statute could save €100 million (Interview)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:41:39 +0100

A common European statute for public-interest foundations could help these organisations tackle cross-border problems and save up to €100 million, says Gerry Salole from the European Foundation Centre.

Cameron spearheads liberal agenda for growth (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:21:54 +0100

British Prime Minister David Cameron and leaders of 11 other EU countries have called on the Union's institutions to stick to a liberal agenda for growth, bolder economic integration with the USA and deepening trade and investment relations with Russia, China and other strategic partners.

Marine Le Pen: What she means for Europe (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:47:24 +0100

As part of an ongoing series, EurActiv France is profiling major candidates in the 2012 French presidential elections, analysing in detail what their political action, programmes and policies mean for the European Union. We start with Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Front.

US lobbying waters down EU data protection reform (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:42:28 +0100

The reform of EU data protection rules is of particular interest to countries like the United States, whose companies may have to abide by stricter provisions to do business in Europe. But intense lobbying from the United States has in part watered down the draft legislation.

Greek crisis kills ITGI pipeline project (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:24:11 +0100

Azerbaijan has eliminated one of the main competitors bidding for the gas of the Shah Deniz II offshore field, apparently over concerns that one of project's partners, Greek gas company DEPA, would not be able to carry on with the project.

Finance ministers eye transport levies to feed climate fund (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:03:22 +0100

European finance ministers will today (21 February) call for the EU executive to prepare a paper on raising climate funds through carbon pricing on aviation and maritime transport by June, if draft conclusions seen by EurActiv are approved.

Marathon talks wrap up with minimum Greek deal (News)

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 07:45:26 +0100

After more than 13 hours of tortuous talks in Brussels, eurozone finance ministers sealed a second bailout for debt-laden Greece early today (21 February) that will resolve its immediate financing needs but seems unlikely to revive the nation's shattered economy.

Open data: gold mine or gold bust? (Analysis)

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:57:37 +0100

Despite Neelie Kroes' ambitious declarations for a new open data strategy at the regional level, authorities are still struggling to become familiar with that process and the strategy still faces fierce resistance, writes Julia Glidden from 21c Consultancy.

Ministers agree to act for more women on company boards (News)

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:47:29 +0100

During a debate to improve the number of women in top positions, EU ministers gave the green light to Commission vice-president Viviane Reding “to do something” to boost gender balance, which is "good for business."