Opinions
Multilateralism is a principle, not an option
China and the EU need to join forces to provide more global public goods and set a good example of global cooperation, writes Zhang Ming.
The Brief – Travel in EU, the obstacle course
Travel has become a nightmare lately. In my journalistic capacity, I still do some travel in the EU during COVID-19, although sometimes I come to regret it. Because every country has its own rules. One requires that you bring a...Stakeholder Opinion
European policy on biofuels is ill-founded and flawed, it should be made good
A decade ago the European Commission decided to exclude conventional biofuels from contributing to future policy on renewable energy, climate and agriculture, writes Benjamin Lammert. Benjamin Lammert is a farmer and president of the Green Energy Platform. The matter is as...Promoted content
EU Taxonomy: What future for industry in Europe?
In a bid to accelerate the energy transition, the European Commission (EC) recently published its draft proposal to establish an EU Taxonomy of environmentally sustainable investments. The initiative aims to classify investments making a substantial contribution to the European Union’s (EU) fight against climate change.
The EU’s watershed deforestation moment?
This week Ursula von der Leyen signalled the EU’s desire to lead the world in the fight against global deforestation. But if the key drivers of deforestation aren’t addressed, progress will remain limited, writes Julia Christian.
After Trump, we must fight to rebuild the ruins of democracy
Even after US President Trump is gone, the underlying causes of division, mistrust, and frustration won't go away and Europe must future-proof itself against any risks to democracy – particularly in the online world, writes Věra Jourová.
Step-by-step democratisation serves Kazakhstan well
Step-by-step democratisation has suited Kazakhstan’s national circumstances and interests well, writes Alberto Turkstra who visited Kazakhstan on the occasion of the 10 January parliamentary elections.Promoted content
Breeding ground for pandemics – why mink farming is a danger to public health
A danger to public health – Europe’s fur farms have long been exposed as cruel, but with the recent pandemic a new factor came into play: They are the perfect breeding ground for the virus and a danger to human health.
The Brief – Of German vaccines and dark horses
Germany's Christian Democrats are set to elect their new leader among the three candidates vying for top post this weekend. But the winner might not necessarily go on to become the party's designated candidate to run for the chancellorship in this year’s general election.
How American agriculture can work with the EU on food sustainability
We must build more resilient, sustainable global food systems that can feed an increasingly hungry world, or there will be dire consequences, warn Kip Tom and Ronald J. Gidwitz.
The Brief – The new fascism?
Last week's storming of the Capitol by Donald Trump’s supporters calls for serious reflection. EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell has already published a blog post to that effect, titled “The events in Washington and what it means for Europe”.Promoted content
Three ways to cut Europe’s heating bill
Industrial heat uses masses of energy and emits large volumes of CO2 – here’s how its impact on the planet can be reduced. Marco Baresi is the Institutional Affairs Director of Turboden. Heat. It’s the single largest energy use in...
A Stability Pact for the South Caucasus
The obstacle for the auspicious idea dating back to 1999 for a Pact for Stability and Cooperation for the South Caucasus has been lifted, writes Vasif Huseynov.Promoted content
New digital regulations: the good and the bad
The introduction of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act has raised many questions about the future of digital platforms in the EU. We have to be realistic about the risks behind these new regulations.
The Brief – Letter from the UK
Two days after the UK left the EU’s single market, England was placed into its third national lockdown on 3 January, joining Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who had already imposed their own restrictions. With people confined to their homes...
Forget Brexit, the most important trade deal in 2021 is in Africa
While the UK splinters away from the European Union, Africa is uniting under a landmark free trade agreement, making it one of the largest since the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO), writes Debisi Araba.
Time for the European Commission to shine
The latest successful European Citizens' Initiative, Minority SafePack, is a rare opportunity to take democratic participation seriously, after a number of previous ECis failed to garner enough attention or make an impact on EU legislation, writes Carsten Berg.
The moment for Euro-Atlantic integration
The current discussion, especially in American and European epistemic circles, about the future of transatlantic relations, may never be as important as now as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to start his new administration in Washington D.C, writes Vasile Pușcaș.
7 million children are suffering in Europe’s coffee supply chain
The coffee, tea and cocoa consumed in the European Union and even inside the European Commission buildings are produced with slave and child labour, writes Fernando Morales-de la Cruz.
China investment agreement and the golden calf of EU unity
Despite the narrative about Central and Eastern European countries endangering EU unity on China, the hasty conclusion of an investment agreement with Beijing shows that the Franco-German alliance is a bigger obstacle to a united response to challenges posed by China, writes Matej Šimalčík.
Portuguese PM: Time to deliver a fair, green, digital recovery
After a year scarred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Portuguese presidency will seek to deliver on a Europe-wide vaccination plan and the National Recovery and Resilience Plans, writes António Costa.
Central Asia is an obvious winner of better EU-China ties
Investment and better regional connectivity as well as an improved links with Europe may be a lifeline for the struggling Central Asian economies, writes Joel Ruet.
Meanwhile in Kazakhstan: Elections unhindered by Covid-19 challenges
The Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan to be held on 10 January 2020 should be anticipated with confidence despite the Covid-19 concerns, writes Jeroen Jansen.