Opinions
How third parties’ neutrality protracts the Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict
The so-called “balanced approach” under which Armenia and Azerbaijan take equal blame for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has only perpetuated and protracted the antagonism, writes Farid Shafiyev.
The biggest challenge for COVID-19 vaccines is the cold supply chain
Medical authorities and governments around the world should not only embrace one or more of the approved COVID-19 vaccines but must also be ready for the logistics of delivery, which includes a gigantic cold chain, possibly for temperatures as low...
The Brief – The Art of the Debate
Tonight, US President Donald Trump and his Democratic contender Joe Biden will face off for the first time, 35 days ahead of the US presidential election. They will not get a second chance to make a first impression. Presidential debates...
Corruption puts the future of the European Union at risk
Protests against government corruption have been rocking Bulgaria since August. MEP Daniel Freund, who was in Sofia last week to meet with protesters, shares his impressions.Promoted content
This is what we need to do to make Europe’s hydrogen economy a reality
The idea of a ‘hydrogen economy’ to replace the hydrocarbon-fueled economies of the 20th century has been discussed for at least the past 50 years. Maria João Duarte is the Representative to the EU Institutions of Mitsubishi Power Europe. Until...
Nord Stream 2 must be stopped immediately
Allowing the construction of Nord Stream 2 has been a mistake from the beginning and should be stopped immediately, argues Urmas Paet.
The Brief – Penny pinchers
Plans to ditch one- and two-cent euro coins have moved forward, as the Commission starts to crunch the numbers on new minting and pricing rules. Should the eurozone banish its two smallest denominations of currency?Promoted content
Young people’s transition to work – a world full of options, but few opportunities?
At the beginning of the year, when the revision of the EU Youth Guarantee was being prepared, unemployment rates had been slowly but steadily decreasing for years. The policy instrument that would provide offers to young people who are not...Stakeholder Opinion
Difficult times for Germany’s transport ministry – biofuels could alleviate worries
The German Federal Ministry of Transport might be heading for difficult times in the next decade. On the one hand, the department is under pressure from the EU Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), writes Elmar Baumann.
Growing momentum behind carbon capture can make it a new clean energy success story
Governments and companies have the chance today to turn carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) into a clean energy success story that will bring environmental and economic benefits worldwide. Without it, our energy and climate goals will become almost impossible to reach, write Erna Solberg and Fatih Birol.
Defusing US-China tensions: European geopolitics in the making
It is in the European interest not to become a battlefield for an American-Chinese war; and only a strong EU can defuse the disputes between Washington and Beijing, writes Piotr Maciej Kaczyński.
Medical advice to EU leaders: prevention comes before cure
The EU’s recovery package is the not-to-be-missed opportunity to lead us to a healthier future and should not extend a lifeline to the pollution that is making us sick, writes Peter van den Hazel.
The elections in Kyrgyzstan will be a test of democracy and inclusion
Next week's elections in Kyrgyzstan will be a key test of the country's democratic credentials and could be the most inclusive yet, writes Louise Chamberlain.
Dangerous clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan pose a threat to regional security
The early morning hours of 27 September 2020 marked another provocation launched against Azerbaijan by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia, writes Esmira Jafarova.
Seventy-five years after Hiroshima, total nuclear disarmament must still be pursued
Last month marked the seventy-fifth year after the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Today, on the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, we call for a European leap forward in creating conditions to achieve security in the twenty-first century, write seven EU lawmakers.
The Brief, powered by ESA – China’s climate gift
EU climate diplomacy is mostly geared towards convincing big polluting countries to go green. This week, that partly paid off when China pledged to go carbon-neutral by 2060, which may even help Europe be more environmentally ambitious.
Greece short of friends in Europe as Erdogan steps up pressure
The decision to postpone the EU council meeting solved – for the time being – one thorny EU question, writes Denis MacShane. What to do about Turkey’s new Sultan Erdogan and his non-stop aggression against EU member states, and core EU values?Promoted content
DRS has the potential to deliver full circularity for beverage packaging in the EU
EFBW and UNESDA are calling for a wide deployment of well-designed deposit return systems to meet the collection and rPET targets of the EU Single Use Plastics Directive. Read here the 6 fundamental design criteria they believe will improve DRS efficiency. Perhaps you could use this illustration below?
Why is recent Serbia-Kosovo agreement no good news for Western Balkans?
The Serbian leadership signed an agreement in Washington in order to advance the achievement of the so-called “Serbian world", and that risks opening the Pandora's box in the whole region of the Western Balkans, writes Filip Milacic.
Meeting the 2030 emissions targets: Mission possible?
Meeting the European Commission’s proposed climate target for 2030 will require a step change in emission reduction – nearly trebling the existing effort – and a considerable ramp up in renewable energy production, write Mike Parr and Gabriel Benchetrit.
Will environmental failings bring down the EU-Mercosur deal?
It’s taken 20 years to build but Europe’s trade deal with the ‘Mercosur’ group of South American countries is looking increasingly like a rush job – with its environmental and social aspects the most shoddy, writes Amandine Van der Berghe....
Aviation is an irreplaceable force for good in the world
Aviation’s precious role in society is at risk, as borders remain closed and influential voices in Europe call for permanent curbs on flying, warns Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.Promoted content
Strengthening road safety aspects of European Roadworthiness Package
Since relevant components of vehicles during their service life continuously deteriorate, it is necessary to carry out periodic vehicle inspections in Europe, adapted to the level of susceptibility of use, in order to ensure long-term road safety and low emissions.