Renewable gas can be scaled up and reduce costs in decarbonising the EU energy system
As the debate on the future role of gas in a decarbonised European energy system heats up, Navigant energy experts Daan Peters and Kees van der Leun explain why they see a large potential to scale up renewable gas sustainably.
Three years ago, I was branded as an eco-terrorist, Polish Green local candidate says
Poles vote in local elections on Sunday (21 October), seen as a key test for the country’s nationalist governing party. Until very recently, energy transition was a political no-go in the coal-dependent country but the situation is evolving, a climate activist and Green local politician in the COP24 host city of Katowice told EURACTIV.com.
China in the Balkans: Motivations behind growing influence
Beijing’s influence in the Balkans continues to grow, but we should not compare it with Russia. Chinese influence differs in both motives and tools used for its spreading, writes Matej Šimalčík.
Russia: Western pressure on Macedonia crossed all boundaries
The Russian ministry of foreign affairs published on Thursday (18 October) a communiqué blasting what it called “roughest interference” by the US and leading EU states in pushing through the Skopje parliament the Macedonia-Greece name dispute agreement.
Ukraine sets up group to stop any attempt by Russia to influence elections
Ukraine has set up a group to stop any attempt by Russia to influence next year’s elections, a state security body said on Thursday (18 October).
Poland’s ruling nationalists face key test in local election
Poles vote Sunday (21 October) in local elections seen as a key test for the country's controversial nationalist governing party as it gears up for EU and legislative elections next year.
Post-Brexit visas for Brits? ‘Fake news’ says Macron
Visas for visitors from Britain after Brexit? "Fake news!" insisted President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday (18 October), scoffing at the idea that France would ever impose such a demand on it neighbour.
Kosovo moves to create an army, Serbia warns of ‘threat to peace’
Kosovo on Thursday (18 October) took the first steps towards creating its own army, ten years after it declared independence, despite fierce opposition from the ethnic Serb minority and Serbia itself which called the move "a threat to peace".
Italy’s prime minister insists no room to change ‘beautiful’ budget
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has attempted to open a dialogue with the European Commission in an attempt to calm things down over Italy’s “unprecedented” breach of fiscal rules, but has also warned that there will be no step back on the draft budgetary plans.
US taking privacy shield deal seriously, EU officials say
The US is making a number of steps in the right direction in order to fall in line with the EU-US privacy shield agreement, EU officials said on Thursday (18 October). The comments came as the Commission entered the first round of talks for the second annual review of the pact.
‘Enough excuses!’ France’s Le Maire grows impatient over digital tax
Europe has talked long enough about whether to make internet giants like Google, Apple and Facebook pay more taxes and it is time for a decision, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday (18 October).
EU spearheads multilateralism at ASEM summit
European leaders sought to build support from Asia on Thursday (18 October) in defence of free trade and the fight against climate change, to counter the growing protectionism of President Donald Trump's America.
Tweets of the Week: Green Wave, Brexit, and Daphne Caruana Galizia
Green Party election results are thrilling, Theresa May flunks Brexit grilling and justice demanded over journalist killing.
Putting the EU-South Korea partnership to work
The EU-South Korea summit taking place today (18 October) symbolises the EU's close and multifaceted partnership with South Korea. Yet, Brussels and Seoul should take some practical steps to strengthen their relationship, argue Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Linde Desmaele and Maximilian Ernst.
Digital skills gap and disinformation: How public libraries can help
It’s a statistic we’ve heard time and time again in recent years: while 90% of future jobs will require digital skills, almost half (44%) of Europeans lack even the most basic digital skills, warns Ilona Kish.
MEPs hope to reduce EU budget cuts for Portugal
The financial package outlined for Portugal in the next EU budget could still be improved, Portuguese MEPs José Manuel Fernandes and Pedro Silva Pereira have said, noting the urgency of concluding negotiations before next May's European Elections.
Story-telling is key for Europe
While Cohesion Policy remains a cornerstone of EU's action to boost growth and reduce inequalities in the continent, the policy lacks visibility, writes MEP Lambert van Nistelrooij.
Migration control still trumps African ‘partnership of equals’
Less than a month after Jean-Claude Juncker’s State of the Union talked of the need for a ‘partnership of equals’ between Africa and the European Union, migration control was once again the main prism through which the EU views Africa...
CAP and the food supply chain: A fair deal for farmers and consumers
The Common Agricultural Policy is key in ensuring that farmers receive a steady, fair income, but imbalances in the food supply chain risk undermining farmers as well as consumers.
The Brief, powered by The International Bromine Council (BSEF) – Carte de séjour
In what can be seen as a replay of the Salzburg summit, European leaders had dinner last night without British PM Theresa May, while negotiations stumbled yet again over the Irish border issue. Meanwhile, other EU countries are quietly gearing up to meet the March 2019 deadline. France chief among them.
Bulgaria could be marginalised if pro-EU parties dominate EU elections, says MEP
Bulgaria could end up being marginalised if pro-EU parties achieve very good results in next May’s European Parliament elections, said Bulgarian MEP Svetoslav Malinov during a discussion about the upcoming poll.
EU retailers pressure MEPs to kill unfair trade practices proposals
Retailers are putting pressure on EU lawmakers to postpone a much-awaited vote next week on the European Commission’s proposed directive on unfair trade practices, EURACTIV.com has learnt.
Salvini gets ready for Spitzenkandidaten battle
Italy's far-right Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is considering running for the presidency of the European Commission if a coalition of nationalist groups wins the next EU elections, he said in an interview Thursday (18 October).