Opinions

Romania’s shift at the helm of the Council

Romania's EU presidency was a successful mandate, showcasing the country's commitment to the EU project, writes Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă.

Germany and Italy’s migration schemes are simply ways to avoid uncomfortable truths

The issue of migrants entering Europe will dominate the European Parliament's upcoming session, but the proposals already put forward are simple remakes of previously failed plans for the migrant crisis, writes Faisal Al Yafai.

Top EU jobs: Is there a ‘cordon sanitaire’ against Central Europeans?

There are speculations that the next European Commission will have three vice-presidents, but none of them is from Central and Eastern Europe, writes Piotr Maciej Kaczyński.

Zelenskiy’s Ukraine: Greenhorn challenge

Balázs Jarábik looks into the stakes of Sunday’s (21 July) Ukraine parliamentary elections, in which President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party rides high. Uncertainty prevails as to how he will deliver once he gets to power, Jarábik writes.

Is Ukraine really committed to EU-style gas reform?

Ukraine has promised to reform its gas sector. But do the government, or the national gas company, really mean it, questions Danila Bochkarev.

Von der Leyen’s nomination is a betrayal of democracy

Ursula von der Leyen may be a relatively unknown name in Europe but we Germans are familiar with her work, most recently as the country’s Defence Minister, writes Martin Schirdewan.

In a moment of urgency, put energy efficiency first

Steps can be taken to improve energy efficiency. This is the surest route to achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, write Kim Fausing and Rachel Kyte.

How to fix Eastern Europe’s problem with 2050 climate neutrality

A radical, one might say populist, solution to solve the Eastern blockade on climate neutrality would be to set up a European Climate Solidarity Fund, writes István Bart.

The Finnish EU presidency should push for a ‘fast lane’ for tech and AI

Boasting one of Europe’s most liberal and innovative economies, Finland's EU presidency has the chance to push for a ‘fast lane’ for tech and AI in Europe, and show Europe a way forward in the age of AI, writes Christian Walther Øyrabø.

Let’s hold G7 leaders accountable to their promises on gender equality

We need progress not promises on gender equality. That is why G7 leaders need to establish a mechanism that keep governments to their commitments, argue Friederike Röder, Joe Powell, Aurélie Gal-Régniez and Philippe Lévêque.

Has Europe lost the new biotechnology battle?

The EU's rules on GMOs risk stifling innovation in biotechnology and could lead to China and the US increasing their patent domination, writes Marcel Kuntz.

Will New Democracy undermine the positive momentum in the Western Balkans?

Following New Democracy’s return to power there are concerns in Brussels, Berlin and Washington about changes in Greece’s policy towards its Balkan neighbours, write Alexandra Voudouri and Ioannis Armakolas.

The EU must not de-regulate gene-edited crops and foods

Some members of the outgoing EU Commission and the agbiotech lobby want the regulations governing genetically modified crops and foods relaxed or scrapped to open markets for gene-edited products. But this goes against the science underpinning the technology and could put the public and environment at risk, writes Dr Michael Antoniou.

What is the Eastern Partnership and what it’s not

Georgia intends to continue on its path to EU membership and wants to use all available opportunities and instruments to achieve this self-proclaimed objective, writes David Zalkaliani.

Ukraine has found a home in the European family of nations

As President Voldymyr Zelenskiy host on Monday (8 July) his first Ukraine-EU summit, a partnership forged in adversity continues to go from strength to strength, writes Alexey Perevezentsev.

The EU must finally tackle Japan on whale industry

As Japan quits the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (IWC) to resume commercial whaling, Joanna Swabe and Matthew Collis urge the European Commission to put pressure on Europe's trading partner to stop killing cetaceans and undermining international law.

Tory leadership contenders are offering false promises on No Deal

Both Tory leadership contenders are pandering to the idea that a No Deal Brexit will not hurt Britain's future. But when the victor reaches No 10, he will get a shock, writes Dinesh Dhamija.