UK warns of damage to EU without special deal on financial services
The UK has repeated its demands for a post-Brexit agreement on financial services to go way beyond the EU’s current standard with third countries in a new government paper, warning that a ‘hard Brexit’ will damage the EU. The paper...
Europe’s values are not negotiable, German foreign minister tells Poland
If European values are subjected to pressure in individual member states, this must be resolved in dialogue between member states and EU institutions, German head of diplomacy, Heiko Maas, said ahead of his second visit to Poland in an interview with EURACTIV Poland's media partner Gazeta Wyborcza.
Austrian Presidency on the road towards new markets
Austria's Federal Economic Chamber represents the interests of the country's economic operators but is also a cornerstone of the social partnership enshrined in the constitution. Its president, Harald Mahrer, spoke to EURACTIV Germany about Austria's economic goals in a changing global economy.
Putin and Merkel meet to find solution on gas pipeline Nord Stream 2
Russia and Germany are set to proceed with the completion of a second natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea between the two countries.
Has the eurozone learned from its Greek odyssey?
Greece will formally turn the page on its debt saga this week, but the eurozone remains vulnerable to further crises, with economists particularly worried about the situation in Italy.
Children in humanitarian crises: How the EU can help them
The European Union (EU) has the opportunity to positively shape the lives of children trapped in conflicts, natural disasters and other humanitarian situations around the world. On World Humanitarian Day (19 August), Delphine Moralis explains why this is so important and what the bloc can do.
Stricter CO2 standards for vehicles are not the reason for job losses
Despite negative media reports, environmental regulation cannot be blamed for the coming upheavals in the automobile sector. Daniel Rieger explains.
Of walls and wills, Austria, the current EU and migration
As Austria and Europe tighten the screws on migration throughout the Austrian EU presidency, they should also assess the ramifications this effort can lead to, writes Pedro-Manuel López.
Cossacks and flowers as Putin dances at Austrian minister’s wedding
Russian President Vladimir Putin danced arm in arm with Austria's Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl at her wedding on Saturday, after receiving an invitation that opposition critics said undermined the West's stance against Moscow.
Munich Security Conference chief: ‘Germany only wants to do things without getting wet’
The head of the Munich Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, spoke to EURACTIV Germany’s media partner “Der Tagesspiegel” about US President Donald Trump, the German free-rider mentality and Europe's lack of pride and self-respect.
Germany and Greece reach agreement to repatriate refugees
Berlin has reached an agreement with Athens to send back refugees to Greece if they have already applied for asylum there. The move follows a similar agreement with Spain earlier this month, while a deal with Italy is also soon to follow.
Slovenia parliament OKs former actor as prime minister-designate
Slovenia's parliament approved on Friday (17 August) a minority coalition government led by comedian-turned-politician Marjan Šarec, ending a political stalemate after an inconclusive June 3 parliamentary election. However, analysts said the cabinet, supported by five centre-left parties, might have a limited shelf life
Ukrainian rights activist claims Poland banned her from Schengen zone
A Ukrainian human rights activist claimed on Thursday (16 August) that Warsaw had banned her from Poland and the rest of the Schengen zone in what she called "a political affair".
Soros foundation to quit Hungary by end-August
The foundation run by US billionaire George Soros said Thursday (16 August) that the last of its operations in Hungary would cease by 31 August, with its activities being transferred to Berlin.
Polish president vetoes change to European parliament election rules
Polish President Andrzej Duda on Thursday (17 August) vetoed a controversial reform of European Parliament election rules that would have essentially kept all small parties in Poland out of the running. “I refuse to sign it and am sending the...
Turkish instability threatens Europe from the Italian flank
Market pressure, financial exposure and a potential review of a key migration deal with Ankara has made Italy the most vulnerable country to the recent financial turmoil in Turkey.
Ministers stay away as Brexit officials resume talks on Irish border
EU and UK officials cut short their summer holidays to resume Brexit talks in Brussels on Thursday (16 August). The two days of technical meetings will focus on the Northern Irish border and future trade relations but officials indicated that there was little chance of a breakthrough.
Oettinger dismisses claims EU to blame for Italian bridge collapse
Brussels has recently encouraged Italy to increase expenditure in infrastructure, EU officials said on Thursday (16 August) in response to Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini’s allegations that the bloc's austerity policies were partly responsible for Italian bridge collapse.
Bayer loses €16 bln market value as concerns mount over further damages claims
Bayer shares registered yet another sharp decrease on Thursday (16 August), dropping as much as 6.5% in Frankfurt to hover near the 76 euros level as investors fear the German chemicals and pharmaceuticals giant may face numerous litigations in the US after its controversial merger with Monsanto.
Is it ‘the economy, stupid’ in the EU’s southern neighbourhood?
While trade wars threaten across the Atlantic, enhanced economic cooperation could be the key to stability in the EU’s southern neighbourhood.
Serbia eyes Kosovo border review, opposed by Merkel
Serbia's political life is heating up in August as discussions about its relations with Kosovo have reached frantic speed, varying from a possible partition of its former province to exchange of territory and border changes.
Italy PM declares state of emergency after bridge collapse killed 39
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte declared on Wednesday (15 August) a state of emergency covering the region around Genoa after a bridge collapse killed 39 people and severed the port city's mainland corridor with southern France.
New pesticide may harm bees as much as those to be replaced
A new class of pesticides positioned to replace neonicotinoids may be just as harmful to crop-pollinating bees, researchers cautioned Wednesday (15 August).