The Brief – Brothers in arms?
“Pole and Hungarian brothers be, good for fight and for glass” - that's the famous proverb at the heart of Poland and Hungary's friendship, which has connected the two countries for centuries. But is their venerable alliance coming to an end?
World’s first hydrogen train leaves station in Germany
The world’s first hydrogen-powered train service began operating in Germany on Sunday (16 September), while EU ministers debated the future potential of the clean fuel at an informal summit in Austria this week.
EU appeals to ‘Astana guarantors’ to avoid Idlib catastrophe
Commenting on the decision by Russia and Turkey to create a “demilitarised” zone in a rebel-held Syrian region, the EU called on Tuesday (18 September) on the “Astana guarantors”, Russia, Turkey and Iran, to respect civilians as a matter of priority.
Clouds are gathering over the Salzburg summit
Brexit, internal security and immigration: the items on the agenda of the informal European Council summit in Salzburg on Thursday (20 September) could lead to lively discussions. EURACTIV France reports.
Russia is undermining Europe’s key democratic institution
Russia’s possible return to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe would mean that even institutions created to defend European values are no longer able to do so, writes Volodymyr Yermolenko.
Juncker: We are not ‘under the rule’ of English
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker made a point of delivering his plenary speech at the Three Seas Initiative forum in Bucharest in French, bucking the trend of other world leaders attending the event on Tuesday (September 18).OpinionPromoted content
Finalising the Clean Energy Package: priorities for the Austrian Presidency
Member states, the European Parliament and the European Commission have made remarkable progress on the Clean Energy Package to date – which Orgalime, representing the European technology industries, warmly welcomes, writes Malte Lohan.
Slovak authorities identify possible witness in journalist’s murder
Slovak authorities have identified a possible witness in the murder of Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak, whose killing last February led mass protests that forced the government to resign, a state prosecutor said on Monday (17 September).
May needs urgent ‘plan B’ to avoid hard Brexit, warn MPs
The UK needs to ‘urgently’ find draw up an alternative to Theresa May’s Chequers to avoid crashing out of the EU with a ‘chaotic and damaging’ Brexit, MPs warned in a new report on Tuesday (18 September).
Russia claims fresh ‘proof’ Ukraine downed flight MH17
Russia on Monday (17 September) released fresh information to back its claim the missile that downed a Malaysia Airlines flight over war-torn Ukraine in 2014 was fired by Kiev's forces.
Technology to unlock the Irish border conundrum?
Supporters of Brexit in London have hailed Brussels' embrace of remote, high-tech customs controls as a sign that EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is giving ground in order to resolve a stalemate on Northern Ireland that has held up a deal.
Agroecology can feed Europe pesticide-free in 2050, new study finds
European agriculture can phase out pesticides, reduce its impacts on climate and biodiversity while ensuring food security for Europeans, French researchers Pierre-Marie Aubert and Xavier Poux told a conference held in Paris on 13 September.
‘Sad day’ as Poland banned from EU judicial body
Poland was banned Monday (17 September) from the EU body representing the member states' judicial institutions over its perceived lack of independence after controversial government reforms.
French pro-European right launches breakaway party
Confronted with the shift towards populism and identity-based politics by the French right-wing, a handful of right-wing French MPs have launched Agir (“Take action”). However, there remains a question mark over the new party’s participation in the European elections against En Marche. EURACTIV France reports.
EU countries top development policy charts
EU countries lead the way when it comes to development policy, according to a new report by a US-based think-tank. Eleven EU countries dominate the top-12 of the Commitment to Development Index published by the Center for Global Development on Tuesday (18 September).OpinionPromoted content
Why we need to create a level playing field for new forms of work
Technological progress has enabled new forms of work that offer diversity, adaptability and novel methods of labour market participation, but it is also presenting some challenges. Michael Freytag explains the implications and challenges.
The importance of safeguarding spouse work authorisation
In the past two decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of countries enabling work authorisation for partners and spouses of highly-skilled employees on international assignment. This positive international trend has resulted in a ‘triple-win’ for governments, employers and families, writes Helen Frew.
From transport to street lighting: The emergence of smart city platforms
Uber and Airbnb have shown how city services can be transformed by platform offerings. Developing the right platforms will be key for cities to ensure that their economies, environment, and services are fit for the future, writes Eric Woods.
Beer boss: Mandatory alcohol labelling should respect EU food information to consumers law
If EU legislators decide to move away from self-regulation in the area of alcohol labelling, the legislation should respect the EU Food Information to Consumers Regulation, Pierre-Olivier Bergeron, the secretary-general of the Brewers of Europe told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Czech, Slovak premiers bristle at beefing up of Frontex
The European Union should steer funds to individual member countries to help them guard their own borders against illegal migration, rather than emphasise funding for Frontex, the common EU border force, the Czech and Slovak premiers said on Monday (17 September).
Orban vows to oppose EU border-guard plan at Salzburg summit
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Monday (17 September) vowed to oppose an EU plan aimed at bolstering the bloc's external borders, accusing Brussels of wanting to take away Hungary's control of its own frontiers.
Germany: The deep fall of Hans-Georg Maaßen
The chief of Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Hans-Georg Maaßen, will have to take his leave, in a potentially unsettling development for Germany's struggling ruling coalition. Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to let him go. EURACTIV Germany reports.
The Brief – Three Seas, two leaders
Let’s not beat about the bush. The Three Seas Initiative (TSI) is a Poland-promoted anti-Russian and pro-US project. And it kicks off today.