Future EU
Eurobarometer: Europhilia on the rise in France
In France, optimism for the EU has been on the rise since last autumn, according to a Eurobarometer study published on Friday (17 August). EURCTIV France reports.
Fico ends coalition crisis, insists Slovakia should stick to EU’s core
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico struck a deal on Tuesday (15 August) to keep his three-party coalition in power, ending a week-long crisis triggered when a Eurosceptic junior partner threatened to quit.
UK floats post-Brexit interim customs deal idea
The United Kingdom has said it wants an interim customs agreement with the European Union after Brexit to allow the freest possible trade of goods, but that it will also seek the right to negotiate other trade deals - a possible sticking point in the talks.
Bundestag MPs want EU staff to use German more after Brexit
Three members of Germany's Bundestag have asked Chancellor Angela Merkel to make sure EU institutions use the German language more.
Commission defends itself over travel expenses row
The European Commission has spent an average of €8.800 per trip for the members of the college in the first two months of 2016, according to data obtained by Spanish transparency NGO Access Info.
Poland ‘still’ a democracy, says foreign minister
Poland's foreign minister denied Wednesday (9 August) accusations that his EU country is drifting towards authoritarianism amid a string of government reforms that have triggered mass protests at home and EU warnings about rule of law violations.
UK recruiters blame Brexit as staff shortage worsens
A shortage of staff for British employers worsened in July, hurt by the departure of European Union workers after last year's Brexit vote, a group representing recruitment agencies said on Tuesday (8 August).
US sanctions and Nord Stream 2: Every dog has its day?
The US’ new Russia sanctions only added fuel to the EU’s divisions over how to deal with Russian energy, write Aleksandra Gawlikowska-Fyk, Bartosz Wiśniewski.
UK spokesman: We do not recognise reported €40 billion Brexit bill
Britain does not recognise media reports that the government is willing to pay €40 billion to exit the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said on Monday (7 August).
Brexit to impact ‘every aspect of life’ in Northern Ireland: Irish PM
Brexit is "the challenge of our generation" with far-reaching consequences for all, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar warned Northern Ireland on Friday (4 August) on his first visit to the British province since taking office.
Polish government adviser: Commission position is ‘grotesque’
The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against Poland and has threatened to strip Warsaw of voting rights if it does not respect the rule of law. But a government adviser insists Brussels is being hypocritical and has little legal reason to get involved.
Bulgaria pledges to champion Macedonia’s EU and NATO dreams
The European Union has welcomed the signing of a bilateral treaty between Bulgaria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, in which the EU member has promised to support the latter’s EU integration.
EU states compete to host London-based agencies after Brexit
All but six European Union states are bidding to host one or both the London-based EU agencies that will be relocated after Brexit, setting up a competition that could easily escalate into a squabble.
Dublin’s man in Berlin: Confidence growing in Irish economy despite ‘Brexit challenges’
Ireland’s priority in the Brexit negotiations is to ensure 1998’s Good Friday Agreement is protected, as well as maintaining close as possible ties between the EU and the UK, explained Dublin’s ambassador to Germany.
Deadline for race to host EU agencies after Brexit
European Union countries faced a deadline Monday to submit their bids to host the post-Brexit locations of key banking and medical agencies currently based in London.
UK insists Brexit will not trigger race-to-bottom on taxation
The United Kingdom does not intend to lower taxes far below the European average in order to remain competitive after Brexit but rather expects to keep a recognisably European economic and social model, finance minister Philip Hammond claims.
Tangible results for citizens must be EU’s focus
Rising Euroscepticism is a key challenge for the EU. Long-term treaty change should be discussed but European leaders should focus on delivering benefits to their citizens here and now, writes Alexander Bürgin.
UK finance minister claims Brexit transition could last until 2022
Britain will try to keep as many aspects of its EU membership in place as possible during a transition period of up to three years after Brexit, finance minister Philip Hammond said on Friday (28 July).
Athens and Milan throw names into EU medicines agency hat
Hosting the European Medicines Agency brings considerable economic benefits to the host city as the service employs more than 1,000 people, paid by the EU. Athens and Milan are keen to secure a slice of this lucrative pie.
The EU should not allow the symbol of peace in Europe to become a symbol of waste
As members of the European Parliament we are time and again confronted with the same question: why do you accept this carrousel of moving the Parliament between Brussels and Strasburg with all its blatant waste? Time after time emotions run high on this – and rightly so, write the members of the European Parliament’s Single Seat Steering group.
The Brief: No surprises please, we’re European
As eurocrats, diplomats, journalists and other inhabitants of the EU bubble pack their swimwear for sunnier destinations, a sense of relief hangs in the air.
Weber: Turkish EU membership ‘makes no sense’
European Peoples’ Party group leader Manfred Weber told EURACTIV’s partner Der Tagesspiegel that hard-hitting action must be taken against the Turkish government, while reiterating his call for EU membership talks to be scrapped.
No solution in sight for Brexit’s controversial issues
During a second sitting around the negotiating table, the EU and the UK stuck to their guns on the financial obligations London should pay and what court would guarantee EU citizen rights in a post-Brexit world.
Estonian ambassador: Trump is right, Europe should pay for own defence
Estonian Ambassador to Poland Harri Tiido explained the priorities of his country’s EU Presidency and talked about the current challenges facing Europe, in an interview with EURACTIV.pl.