Sarantis Michalopoulos
Greek minister: With progressive federalism EU will regain citizens’ trust
In order for Europe to address the current governance issue and convince citizens that it works in their interest it should turn to a left-wing progressive federalism model, Nikos Pappas told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Sowing the seeds of the post-2020 CAP
In June 2013, politicians approved the first major reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in a decade, following months of haggling over quotas, subsidies, and measures to improve environmental accountability.But when the new rules took full effect in 2015, a year behind schedule, some of the same leaders who had approved it called for changes …
Who is driving quality in EU agri-food?
The EU’s Southern member states are the leading producers of foods certified by EU quality schemes: between them, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Greece account for 70% of the total.
US attack on Spanish olive imports is ‘serious’, EU farmers warn Commission
The US authorities are reading anti-dumping measures on imports of Spanish black table olives as of September setting a “dangerous” precedent for CAP-subsided EU agricultural products, European farmers have warned.
Quality schemes help EU producers break new markets
The promotion of geographical indications (GI) has helped EU products attract new emerging markets which seek quality food. However, Europol warns that fake GI products are on the rise across the EU and policymakers should not disregard the protection of intellectual rights.
Study: Commission’s biofuels policy ignored ‘Better Regulation’ principle
The impact assessment study on which the European Commission based its proposal on the use of biofuels in transport after 2020 has “fundamental shortcomings” and ignored the Better Regulation principle, a new study claims.
Greek FM: EU should be louder against Turkish ‘intervention rights’ in member states
EXCLUSIVE / In a wide-ranging interview, Greece's foreign minister on Sunday (16 July) outlined his country's position on the failed Cyprus reunification talks, scolding UN envoy Espen Barth Eide and rejecting "interventions rights" for Turkey in any future settlement. He also warned against expecting any breakthrough with FYROM.
MEPs open the door for waste water operators in fertilisers regulation
The European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee (IMCO) voted yesterday (13 July) on the amendments to the proposed fertiliser regulation and suggested the introduction of more innovative products such as the ones from
Greece-Turkey tensions mount over plan to start Cyprus gas drilling
As Cyprus prepares to start offshore drilling for gas in its economic zone, Turkey announced it was readying "countermeasures" and Greece replied it was "ready to defend its sovereign rights", in a clear sign of growing tensions between the two NATO members.
UK hits back at EU over national expert layoffs
The UK will retain all the rights and obligations of an EU member state until it leaves the Union and this includes national experts who work in the European Commission, a spokesperson from her majesty's government told EURACTIV.com.
Majority of Europeans face risk of digestive cancers due to alcohol, report claims
A new report has linked alcohol consumption in the EU to an increase in cases of digestive cancer and warned policymakers to take immediate action.
Dutch health minister: EMA relocation is not entertainment, listen to the Commission
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is not a toy to be played with by politicians, Edith Schippers told EURACTIV.com. The decision on the agency's relocation should be based on the European Commission's assessment, she argues in an interview.
Greek court hands Heineken record fine for market abuse
A Greek court has imposed a €26.7m fine on Heineken subsidiary Athenian Brewery for abusing its dominant position in the Greek beer market over more than two decades.
Pharma firms and consumer groups united over EMA relocation
EU leaders should make a patient-oriented decision on the relocation of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) from London and ensure “minimal disruption”, according to the pharmaceutical industry and consumer groups.
The Brief: Is everything OK with Juncker and Weber?
Rumours suggest that the two men, who both belong to the centre-right political family, have not been getting along with each other lately.
Diplomat: UK should not think EU ‘weak’ on drug agency relocation
EU member states are urged to put on a united front on the issue of relocating the London-based European Medicines Agency (EMA), rather than bicker publicly and give the UK government reason to believe the bloc cannot cooperate properly, diplomats have told EURACTIV.com.
New trade deals jeopardise EU green transport goals, NGO warns
Upcoming free trade deals with biofuel-producing countries in Asia and South America will undermine the European Union's goals to decarbonise the transport sector, an NGO has warned.
Nestlé boss: Simplified food labels will better inform consumers
Simplified food label schemes like the UK-style traffic light will provide EU consumers clear and simple elements and therefore, better inform them, Marco Settembri told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Pharma expert: EU drug agency should be ‘easily’ accessible to all
Any country that wants to inherit the European Medicines Agency (EMA) from London has to be easily accessible. Candidates will also need to increase their national agency’s resources, as staff are expected to move to the EMA, according to Adrian van den Hoven.
Drug agency relocation talks divide old and new EU members
The debate over where to relocate the London-based European Medicines Agency (EMA) after Brexit has divided the other 27 EU member states, despite calls for an urgent decision from the drugs industry and patient groups.
Prolonging Brexit talks ‘should not be excluded’, says key EU power broker
EXCLUSIVE / The complexity of the Brexit negotiations means extending the talks by one year should not be excluded, according to the spokesperson of the European People's Party (EPP), the leading power broker in the EU institutions.
Moscovici: Leftist Syriza government is not populist
Greece’s ruling leftist Syriza party cannot today be considered as a populist party because they have made tough choices and implemented difficult reforms in order to stay in the eurozone, Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has said.
The Brief: Are old socialists cowards or just still in love with EPP?
Cooperation of the so-called progressive political forces has lately been the new mantra for the EU socialists.
MEPs ask Commission to distinguish ‘good and bad’ crop-based biofuels
The European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee endorsed on Thursday (29 June) its opinion on the European Strategy for Low Emission Mobility, calling on the Commission to keep the sustainable biofuels in the EU energy mix.