Interviews
IEA chief economist: ‘1970s’ power grids need urgent rethink
Electric vehicles could revolutionise Europe’s electricity system, but an outmoded network regulation could hamper progress, according to Laszlo Varro, chief economist at the International Energy Agency.
Prof. Guy Standing: Every country can afford Universal Basic Income
99% of people want to improve their lives. And the UBI won’t prevent them from wanting it. So if such projects prevent them from having to do terrible jobs, this is positive, Guy Standing told EURACTIV Poland.
Grabbe: Hungary’s NGO law is discriminatory
For the EU, the fear is that this legislation is coercive and inhibits the free movement of capital, former Commission official Heather Grabbe told EURACTIV Germany.
After Brexit, Europe must take the lead on development aid
The loss of the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s biggest aid donors, will force the EU to strengthen its development action. In France, the election of Emmanuel Macron could give development policy a much-needed boost, Rémy Rioux said in an interview with EURACTIV France.
Darknet guru: New technology can help build European identity
Modern technology could shore up the European project, boost transparency and help governments collect taxes. Author Jamie Bartlett told EURACTIV.com that the EU should become the great technological innovator but warned that politicians simply aren’t prepared for massive changes ahead.
Arancha González: ‘Fair’ is a bit of a difficult word
In an exclusive interview, the International Trade Centre's executive director managed expectations about fair trade, as well as broaching the subject of child labour and transparency in the value chain.
Kamall: Why do we confine ourselves to just Europe?
"I would like to see a deal where we couldn’t perceive the UK or the EU as winners or losers. Where the UK is no longer a reluctant tenant of the EU but we are good neighbours," ECR chief Syed Kamall told EURACTIV Poland.
Hungarian official defends Paks II: We didn’t have many choices
The Commission’s Clean Energy proposal will lead to a price increase for households, Andrea Beatrix Kádár of the Hungarian Ministry of Development told EURACTIV Slovakia.
German MEP: Deadlock on organic farming reform ‘odd’
Sales of organic produce are on the up in Europe. In 2015 alone, they rose by 13%, so it is no surprise the industry is struggling to approve proposed reforms to the EU’s eco-regulation. The sector claims there is little improvement on the table. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Moldova minister: Pro-Moscow camp only offers short-term solutions
The Moldovan government wants to transform the country into a platform for cooperation and even though the idea of a modernised, European Moldova is defined very clearly, Foreign Minister Andrei Galbur says it is wrong to split the country along pro-European or pro-Russian lines. EURACTIV Slovakia reports.
Mimica: Private sector has a key role in reaching the SDGs
The massive need for investment in projects of public interest in developing countries cannot be met by the public sector alone, this is why the involvement of the private sector in reaching the SDGs is key, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
Gierek: Energy efficiency requires huge investment, but it will pay back
I do not exclude the 40% energy efficiency target on condition that all three stages of the energy flow are included, Adam Gierek told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
Gambardella: EU, China should move beyond stereotypes
EU companies’ investment opportunities in China will keep on growing but the EU should understand that the super-preferential treatment it received for years is over and should move beyond stereotypes, ChinaEU President Luigi Gambardella told EURACTIV.com.
Development expert: ‘Haiti would be better off without international aid’
Haiti is one of many poor countries where international aid has failed to fulfil its objectives. Despite billions of dollars being pumped in, little has changed since the disastrous earthquake of 2010, Joel Boutroue told EURACTIV France.
MEPs: Building renovation ‘isn’t sexy but it’s bloody important!’
Renovating Europe's building stock isn't just critical for meeting EU climate and energy savings targets – it will dramatically improve living conditions and health while boosting the overall economy, according to the three MEPs leading the European Parliament's work on the Energy performance of buildings directive.
Transport minister: EU approval of German road toll was ‘irritating’
Austria's transport minister has vowed to take Germany to court over its new road toll law, arguing that it discriminates against drivers from other EU countries. He spoke to EURACTIV in an interview.
Tata CEO: Europe should unleash the Jugaad mindset
To manage change and transform economies, affluent countries need to experiment fast and roll out new models that enable them to grow in a more innovative way, Amit Bajaj told EURACTIV.com in an interview, stressing the need for social innovation.
Csenger-Zalán: A strong Europe is only possible with strong nations
There’s no mistaking his Fidesz credentials. Brussels needs to back off, and refugees remain unwelcome, Zsolt Csenger-Zalán, the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs in Hungary‘s National Assembly, told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
Takács: Hungary is a successful member state
Just because Hungary has different ideas about issues like migration does not mean it should be perceived negatively. This is exactly why we are fed up, Szábolcs Takács told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
Andriukaitis: Anti-smoking laws are of little value if they are not implemented
Member states should prioritise laws that protect public health because there is little value in having them if they are not enforced, the EU's health Commissioner told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
‘Private sector development helps stabilise vulnerable countries’
Private sector development is crucial to stabilising the most vulnerable countries. But ensuring businesses respect social and environmental standards is a real challenge, Anne-Sophie Rakoutz told EURACTIV France.
Portuguese minister: Southern cities better placed to host medicines agency
Portugal is the latest member state to try and poach the UK-based European Medicines Agency after Brexit. In an interview with EURACTIV.com, Portugal’s junior minister for European affairs insisted having two EU agencies based in Lisbon already would not hurt its chances.
Italy minister: German austerity has ‘weakened’ Europe
Italian transport minister Graziano Delrio claims that austerity policies imposed by Germany have weakened the European project and that the FIAT emissions scandal needs clarification from Berlin. EURACTIV’s partner Milano Finanza reports.
Moscovici: Italy, Portugal, Spain fiscal progress ‘good news’
Portugal, Italy and Spain became yesterday (22 May) illustrative examples of the new period Europe enjoys. The executive congratulated Lisbon and Madrid for turning their economies upside down, just one year after they became the first countries that breached the fiscal rules, while it gave its blessing to Rome’s adjustments, one of the eurozone’s troublemakers.