Opinions
The Brief – Treaty change
The public remarks made by a group of EU leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, hinting at "the need to reform" the bloc have suddenly given life to the idea of a new EU treaty that would have been very unlikely just a few months ago.Promoted content
The future of Europe is on the ground
Whether they are looking far into the future for strategic orientations, or closer to the present for new legislation, EU decision-makers need local and regional leaders to show them how the Union is functioning on the ground.
Pushing Finland and Sweden into NATO was Putin’s key geopolitical miscalculation
What advocates of NATO membership in both Sweden and Finland failed to do in seven decades, Vladimir Putin achieved in a couple of weeks, and the geopolitical impact of their accession to NATO should not be underestimated, writes Tomi Huhtanen.
The Brief – The cost of not solving the Bulgarian veto
Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine is reshaping how the EU conducts its enlargement policy. That will put additional pressure on Bulgaria to lift its veto on neighbouring North Macedonia's EU accession negotiations.
Investing in small farmers, agroecology critical to get us out of current food crisis
Already battered by the climate crisis and COVID-19, Africa is now facing rising food prices in light of the war in Ukraine. Investing in agroecology and smallholder farmers is the only way out of the crisis, Joseph Mandinyenya and Ruchi Tripathi argue.
To get rid of Russian fossil fuels, the EU needs to put energy savings first
The biggest potential for massive energy savings lies in the decarbonisation of the EU building stock. But to be effective, measures must be accompanied by a strong EU policy and regulatory framework, write Monica Frassoni and Harry Verhaar.Special ReportPromoted content
Setting up the European social economy to thrive
From idealism to action. Now, for the first time, the social economy and social investment have a seat at the EU’s policy table.
Johnson’s case for the defence
One of the most hotly contested arguments following the Brexit vote in 2016 was whether Russian interference had played a role in the referendum campaign. As in the United States over Donald Trump’s election five months later, no Kremlin link...
The Brief – Don’t count on Mercron II
For all the talk about the so-called Franco-German axis, Russia's war on Ukraine has hardly seen German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron emerge as a 'power couple'. At best, they are an uneven tandem.Promoted content
Towards the mass adoption of smart and bidirectional charging, the key contribution of the “Fit for 55” package
With the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the “Fit for 55” package, the European Commission issued very ambitious proposals to decarbonise the transport sector through electrification, fostering innovation. We need to secure this impetus in the ongoing legislative process.Promoted content
European Association Summit – 10 editions of constant evolution
The European Association Summit has celebrated its 10th edition. A gathering aimed at education, networking, and discovery keeps being a strong signal that Brussels is the world’s capital of international associations and that it is a perfect ground for fruitful projects and connections.
A united world order is needed to tackle the climate crisis
2022 has seen deepening divisions between countries, driven in part by the war in Ukraine and skyrocketing fuel and food prices. As policymakers look to tackle the climate crisis, they should focus on global, harmonised measures rather than bilateral decisions that could deepen divides, writes Carne Ross.Promoted content
Tackle NOx Emissions through the Vehicle Periodic Technical Inspection
The CITA report identifies and evaluates fundamentally feasible methods and procedures for the monitoring of NOx emissions and NOx after-treatment systems as part of a vehicle periodic technical inspection (PTI).
The Brief – Why Eurovision matters
This year it will be remarkably tough to keep politics separate from the running of the world’s most-followed singing contest – and that is also why EURACTIV is stepping in with dedicated coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC).Promoted content
Heat Pumps to REPowerEU: The need for a European industrial heat pump policy
REPowerEU must be a win for energy security, the climate and European competitiveness. With the right focus, the May package can propel a wave of sustainable heat pumps “made in Europe”.
Why the EU must see through Spain’s claim to be an energy island
Spain's claim to be an 'energy island' is misleading and the EU should reject calls for an Iberian exemption, say Oscar Arnedillo and Jorge Sanz.Promoted content
Safe at Home: Cutting Fossil Fuel Imports Through Renovation
Fears of leaving Europeans unable to heat their homes have led to governments allocating billions of euros for energy bill rebates, in some cases even pledging to freeze gas and electricity tariffs. Spending on this scale will not be sustainable...Promoted content
Energy-Saving Rare Earth Magnets: political leadership needed
Rare earth supply chains are the linchpin that completes the EU’s ambition for energy transition, as permanent magnets yield energy savings in technology applications used in European automotive, wind, and industrial pump manufacturing sectors.
Now is the time to be ambitious and audacious with the EU’s future
Europe Day is supposed to mark the conclusion of the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE). One year of deliberations, debates and discussions brought together citizens, regional, national and European politicians, EU institutions, organised civil society and social partners, to build a common trajectory for the EU's future, writes Petros Fassoulas.
The European Media Freedom Act must be strengthened
The European Commission must take an ambitious approach to the upcoming European Media Freedom Act and consult civil society leaders and industry experts, five journalism organisations write in an open letter.
The Brief – Why Putin cannot win
Vladimir Putin’s 9 May speech was highly anticipated. The general expectation was that he would double down on his war effort in Ukraine and sternly warn the West against further interference in what Russia considers its backyard.
Three imperilled neighbours on this Europe Day
The European Union has to decide its future also by responding to the latest calls for EU membership from Ukraine and the two other Associated states, Georgia and Moldova, writes Tinatin Akhvlediani.
It’s time for the EU to be closer to people
Giving cities and regions more power in the EU decision making process would help incorporating criticism of the EU more productively and thus be a good strategy against further alienation between the EU and its citizens, argues Apostolos Tzitzikostas.