Interviews
Bruegel’s Darvas: ‘We need much higher carbon prices in Europe’
In a paper discussed by EU finance ministers on 11 September, Bruegel think tank made the case for protecting green investment as part of the upcoming Stability and Growth Pact review. Bruegel’s Zsolt Darvas, one of the report's authors, told EURACTIV that most of the investment needed to reduce CO2 emissions would come from private sources.
Asselborn: We will kill Schengen if border restrictions persist
Rejecting the idea of 'deportation centres' that would host Afghan refugees in Central Asia, Luxembourgish Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn told EURACTIV in an interview the EU holds enormous responsibility towards those who "helped us build an embryo of rule of law" in Afghanistan.
Slovenia: Future of Europe debate should focus on resilience
After the successive crises over two decades, a core issue for the Conference on the Future of Europe should be how to ensure the resilience of the EU and put policies in favour of European citizens first, Slovenia's State Secretary Gašper Dovžan told EURACTIV.
Researcher: Brussels is paving the way for nuclear power’s green revival
In all likelihood, the European Commission will table a proposal in the coming months to include nuclear energy in the EU’s green finance taxonomy, said Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, a researcher at the Jacques Delors Institute. But it is probably waiting for the outcome of the German elections before making a move, he suggested.
Chizhov: Russia is well-placed to play a constructive role in Afghanistan
In a wide-ranging interview, the Russian ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov discussed Afghanistan, the ‘Crimea Platform’, carbon border tax, COVID and vaccines, and the new political season.
Michel : Afghanistan is a failure for the international community
European Council President Charles Michel gave a scathing assessment of the recent US withdrawal from Afghanistan in an interview for the French website Le Grand Continent on Wednesday (8 September), pointing out the need for the EU to step up efforts to build its strategic autonomy.
Slovenia’s defence minister: EU will learn its lessons from Afghanistan
In case the EU wishes to become a more reliable security provider and global actor, it needs to avoid past mistakes and develop credible military intervention forces that are able to project stability in our neighbourhood, Slovenia’s defence minister Matej...
Trade policy must be sustainable or lose public support, says Parliament’s trade chief
EU lawmakers must put sustainability at the heart of the bloc's trade policy or risk losing public support for it, says Bernd Lange. And that means having civil society at its heart, adds the German lawmaker who chairs the European Parliament’s International Trade committee.
Schrems has Facebook data processing in sights for next coup
After notorious data activist Max Schrems already brought down the EU-US Privacy Shield data transfer agreement, his next coup could turn Facebook's entire data processing upside down. In an interview with EURACTIV Germany, Schrems spoke about his new case against the tech giant and the impact it could have.
Basque country leads way in implementing global development goals
While the sustainable development agenda took a back seat during the pandemic, one region in Spain pressed ahead with creating an 'ecosystem for sustainable development goals' to reach global goals locally. To take a closer look, EURACTIV spoke with Marta Marín, delegate of the Basque Country's mission to the EU.
French gas association optimistic about reaching 2023 biomethane target this year
The gas industry is committed to ensuring that by 2050, 100% of gas is renewable or decarbonised, but to achieve that, it will have to diversify, Patrick Corbin, president of the French Gas Association (AFG) said in an interview with EURACTIV France.
MEP: Diversity is ‘severely missing’ in European Parliament
Members of the European Parliament are directly elected by citizens to represent them and accordingly should reflect European society, an MEP from the Parliament’s Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup (ARDI) told EURACTIV.
More support needed for national equality bodies, stakeholders warn
You can also read this article in Romanian. National equality bodies across Europe still struggle with different levels of independence and competencies, and the EU should do more to support their efforts in the fight against racial discrimination, experts and...
EU’s anti-racism coordinator: Collecting equality data is vital tool in fight against racism
Without measuring and quantifying the extent of discrimination and inequalities in Europe, it becomes very difficult to effectively tackle them, the EU’s first anti-racism coordinator, Michaela Moua, told EURACTIV. You can also read this interview in Romanian. Michaela Moua is...
Georgia FM: We need a post-2020 Eastern Partnership agenda perspective
In an exclusive interview, the foreign minister of Georgia, David Zalkaliani, discussed this week's Associated Trio summit in Batumi, relations with Ukraine, the internal political process and the country’s EU ambition.Promoted content
People, Process, Platforms: “EUniting” the spectrum of Innovation in European healthcare
Earlier this month, Rebecca Guntern and Kees Roks participated in #EUnite week, a series of conversations focused on unlocking the future of European healthcare.
Analyst: EU carbon price on track to reach €90 by 2030
High gas prices, combined with a recent decision to raise the EU’s climate goals for 2030, have combined to form a “perfect storm” on the EU carbon market, according to a market analyst who predicts a carbon price of €90...
EU federalist chief: Far-right declaration on Europe’s future ‘hilarious’
In an interview with EURACTIV, federalist MEP Sandro Gozi dismissed as “hilarious” calls by the European conservative and far-right parties for a deep reform of the EU in view of the debate on the future of Europe, saying the demands...
Green MEP: Voluntary schemes have failed biodiversity in forests
Voluntary schemes have not been enough to protect biodiversity in Europe's forests and more coordinated measures are needed to protect nature in the EU, according to Green lawmaker Ville Niinistö.
French MP: Digital sovereignty is about being able to choose dependencies
In an interview with EURACTIV France, French centrist MP Philippe Latombe spoke about France's approach to digital sovereignty being about being able to choose who they can depend on and pointed to EU countries currently not being 'on the same page' when it comes to digital sovereignty.
Finnish MEP: Sustainable forest management must be supported by EU climate legislation
Sustainable forest management is key to keeping Europe's forests healthy and must be supported by EU legislation in order to help meet the bloc's 2030 climate goals, according to Finnish MEP, Petri Sarvamaa.
Lithuania: Official entities participate in Belarus human trafficking
Official entities, such as airlines and tourist agencies, are involved in organised human trafficking via Belarus and should face sanctions, Lithuania's foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Released Catalan leader: Catalan issue requires a ‘multilateral solution’
Oriol Junqueras, former Catalan vice-president and pro-independence leader who had been jailed for his role in Catalonia's failed secession attempt, visited Strasbourg and Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday (6-7 July), after being released from prison with a pardon from the Spanish government.