Zoran Radosavljevic
The Brief – Balkanic optimism
The rollercoaster that is the Western Balkans is (almost) as unpredictable as the Brexit saga. Last week, the region's prospects appeared in the doldrums and there was little chance of a reversal of fortunes soon. Take a step back though and there is hope to be had.
The Brief, powered by ACCA – The Balkans’ moment of truth
The complexity of the Balkans and its European path needs no special introduction, yet it never ceases to surprise. The German Bundestag gave its green light last Friday for North Macedonia and Albania to open EU accession talks, but the story doesn't end there.
The Brief, powered by EDAA – Will there be more victims?
MEPs are ready to go on a Commissioner hunt, as next week’s hearings loom large. But amid the calls for heads to roll and retribution to be dealt, there are reasons for some of von der Leyen’s chosen few not to fear the Parliament boogeymen.
The Brief – Washing away the guilt
The largely unconventional and disputed 1907 experiment by US physicist Duncan MacDougall postulated that the human soul weighs 21 grams, no more, no less. The valiant doctor measured the body weight of dying humans just before and after their passing and concluded that the soul does have exact physical weight.
The Brief – The EPP’s Hobson’s choice
The clock is ticking on agreeing on the new European Commission president and the once almighty European People’s Party is having some tough choices to make in the next couple of days. The Mexican standoff between France and Germany, amplified...
EU summit ends with no deal on top jobs, some progress on climate
EU leaders wrapped up a two-day summit on a low note on Friday (21 June), having failed to agree on the distribution of the EU's top jobs for the next five years.
North Macedonia president: We need date for EU talks before autumn
Decoupling North Macedonia and Albania’s EU path, by giving the green light to the former and holding the start of accession talks for the latter is not great, but is the only way forward, North Macedonia’s President Stevo Pendarovski told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview during his visit to Brussels on Thursday (13 June).
#EUelections2019: Winners and Losers
As EU leaders prepare for what is likely to be a protracted period of negotiating a majority in the fragmented new European Parliament, EURACTIV looks at the winners and losers of the European elections held in the 28 member states.
Pro-EU parties keep populist rise in check as tough coalition talks begin
The conservative European People's Party once again won the most seats in the European Parliament after EU elections on Sunday (26 May) but will face difficulties building a controlling majority as the Greens, the Liberals and the far-right posted big gains, reflecting growing political polarisation in the 28-country bloc.
First Spitzenkandidaten debate falls flat
Five candidates vying to become the next European Commission president sparred and bantered in the first European election debate, which fell flat in the absence of Manfred Weber, candidate of the largest political group.
Progressive camp eyes part of ALDE, Macron – Timmermans
Frans Timmermans, the Social Democrats' candidate to lead the next European Commission, will try to form a progressive majority after the EU elections but will need some of the 'progressive liberals' from the ALDE group and will extend a hand to the party of Emmanuel Macron.
EU country briefing: Slovenia
Slovenia was the first Balkan country to join the EU, during 2004’s big enlargement round, after this was supported by a double referendum on both EU and NATO membership, which were supported by 89.6% and 66% respectively.
EU country briefing: Croatia
Croatia is the EU´s youngest member, having only joined in 2013 following a referendum in the country in which 66% voted in favour. Its membership was considered an important step for stabilising the Balkan region that experienced war and conflict between 1991-2001.
Romanian EU Presidency to push Western Balkans case, minister says
Romania's EU presidency will push to improve the prospect of membership talks for Western Balkan nations of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania, but only after the European elections in May, the country's European affairs minister told EURACTIV in an interview.
Soros-funded university says it is being forced out of Hungary
Hungary's Central European University, founded by George Soros, said on Monday (3 December) it has been forced out of the country in "an arbitrary eviction" that violated academic freedom, and confirmed plans to enrol new students in neighbouring Austria next year.
Parliament VP: We cannot ‘copy and paste’ Commission transparency rules
Talks between the European Parliament, Commission and Council about a mandatory transparency register - an attempt to regulate lobbying - have unfolded slowly. Parliament Vice-President Sylvie Guillaume explains her institution's position, after the Commission accused it of dragging its feet.
The Brief, powered by EFPIA – Europe’s moral downfall, part one
Once again, this Brief will stay away from the goings-on in the far far away kingdom that's desperately trying to leave the EU. Instead, let's look at another country that walked away from a different union 27 years earlier, resulting in chaos and bloodshed that caught Europe unawares and exposed it as a paper tiger unable to deal with conflict on its soil.
EU must look after regions, even if future funding is cut
European border regions matter and the EU must continue looking after them despite planned cuts for Cohesion policy funding, particularly as some of them remain under-developed, participants at a recent EURACTIV event said, highlighting the example of Romania-Bulgaria cross-border cooperation.
Commission urges Parliament, Council to move on transparency
The European Commission is unhappy with the lack of progress in negotiating its proposal for a mandatory transparency register with the European Parliament and Council and has urged the Parliament to consider making "meaningful" proposals before "our next political meeting", according to an official letter seen by EURACTIV.com.
Innovation on rise in Europe but education changes slowly, business leader says
Europe is seeing a resurgence of innovation and enterprise, but its education system is still too traditional and closed to changes, according to Johan Andresen, a Norwegian businessman working to promote entrepreneurial education.
The Brief – Sing a song of Spitz-pence
Contenders to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker are coming in thick-and-fast. There's been a marked difference between how each candidate has chosen to kick-off their presidency bids, so what can we learn from their different styles?
New people for new jobs – Benefits of entrepreneurial education
3D animation, smart TV apps, content monetisation technology, big data analysis, online education platforms. If anyone ever doubted that the future of work is already here, the list of young European entrepreneur achievements presented in Brussels should be enough to convert even hardcore doubters.
US, EU should ‘clean the house’ and deal with China – US ambassador
Europe and the US should quickly sort out the current issues in their "long-term faithful marriage" so they can speak in "one powerful voice" and address China's global activities, US ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, said on Wednesday (3 September).