About: Central and Eastern Europe

Lack of coal phase-out commitments in Eastern Europe jeopardises just transition

Unambitious coal phase-out policies in central and eastern Europe threaten the just transition in the region and the European Commission should only accept plans that use the just transition fund to develop and diversify local economies for a greener future, writes Alexandru Mustață.

Time for Paris-compatible coal phase-out plans in Central and Eastern Europe

Central and Eastern European countries need to set national coal phase-out dates by 2030 at the latest in order to fall in line with the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, environmental campaigners write.

Hungary may see takeovers of last free media, experts warn

Recent reports have confirmed the negative trend for media freedom in Hungary but also pointed to Budapest's negative impact on press freedom in neighbouring countries. On World Press Freedom Day (3 May), EURACTIV talked to two of the main experts on Hungarian media.

How carbon pricing is driving the renovation of Czech homes

Like other European countries, the Czech Republic’s buildings are in need of renovation. Unlike others, it partly funds renovation programmes with revenues generated from the emission trading scheme (ETS), an experiment that could be replicated across the EU.

Systemic misuse of EU agri grants in Central-Eastern Europe, report finds

Common agricultural subsidies continue to be systematically misused across countries in Central and Eastern Europe, despite numerous attempts by the European Commission to remediate the issue, according to a new report commissioned by the Greens/EFA political group.

Leapfrogging gas: how geothermal could help eastern EU countries ditch fossil fuels

Geothermal energy could help central and eastern Europe break away from coal and gas, but it needs a quicker uptake and government backing to help meet renewable energy targets, advocates say.

Central and Eastern European leaders must back the Green Transition

Leaders should take advantage of the recovery fund to bring the climate goals of their citizens to fruition and use experience from the past to shape a green future, writes NGO members across Central and Eastern Europe countries.

The European ‘New Marshall Plan’ – Challenges for Eastern Europe

Even if the money for an ambitious post-COVID-19 EU recovery plan was on the table, the political elites in Eastern Europe lack the competence and the imagination to create sustainable prosperity, writes Radan Kanev.

NYT reporting shines a spotlight on CAP delivery model

An investigative report published in the Sunday edition of the New York Times (3 November) highlighted once again the distorting effects of farm aid provided under the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which are however intrinsic to its delivery model.

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.

Ministers highlight European divide over carbon price floor

While France is pushing for the implementation of a carbon price floor at EU level and is looking for allies in the bloc, Poland sees energy storage technologies as key to a successful European climate policy.

Czech analyst: Eastern Europeans have lost faith in the EU

When countries in Central and Eastern Europe joined the EU, their expectations were high. Above all, they thought that they would quickly reach a Western standard living, Irah Kučerová told EURACTIV Czech Republic.

Lead MEP: Macron’s campaign on posted workers could deepen east-west divide

The centre-right French MEP in charge of guiding the controversial posting of workers directive through the European Parliament has lashed out at Emmanuel Macron after he promised to strike a compromise on the legislation by the end of this year.

Macron versus Eastern Europe

The French president has found a scapegoat in temporary workers from Eastern Europe, making the same mistake as the UK in the lead up to Brexit, writes Antonia Colibasanu.

Dismissing the Three Seas Initiative is counter-productive for Brussels

The Three Seas Initiative is viewed with suspicion in Brussels due to its political implications. The best thing the EU can do to make it a success and counter anti-EU rhetoric in Central and Eastern Europe is by embracing this project, writes Łukasz Janulewicz.

Poland to lead battle against Commission-Gazprom entente

Poland is spearheading criticism of the Commission's proposed “entente” that would end a five-year antitrust case against Gazprom for abusing its dominant position in eight countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Vice-versa: European defence and German interests

Germany and the EU: How do they cooperate? Where do their approaches conflict and where are their interests aligned? EURACTIV Germany’s Vice-Versa series takes a look at the issue from both a European and federal government perspective.

Juncker: This Commission no longer regulates the flushing of toilets

Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Thursday (23 February) that he “fought like a lion” against “ill-inspired Commissioners” who thought the EU should regulate the flushing of toilets. He also indicated that he will push for a multi-speed Europe in proposals to be unveiled next month.

Brexit minister: London won’t bribe Eastern Europe to get a better deal

Britain's "Brexit" minister responsible for managing its departure from the European Union on Tuesday denied reports his government was planning to pay eastern EU states to support it during negotiations with Brussels.

A ‘yellow card’ and the damage done

The European Commission is expected to overrule the yellow card” triggered by national parliaments today (20 July), over the revised Posted Workers directive. Valentin Kreilinger reflects on the damage this decision is likely to cause.

Time for a balanced debate on biofuels

Public policy should be based on verifiable facts, rational analysis and, where possible, on solid science, writes Dick Roche.

Europeans fear that refugee influx raises terror threat

A majority of Europeans fear the recent refugee influx will heighten the risk of terrorist attacks and cost their countries jobs and social benefits, and create further problems with the integration of Muslims, said a survey released yesterday (11 July) by the Pew Research Center.

West-to-east cash transfer shapes Europe’s climate goal tussle

Western European nations are preparing to divert tens of billions of euros in revenue to help cut greenhouse gas emissions in Eastern Europe, in order to ensure the bloc sets the world's toughest targets for tackling climate change.

Germany’s 2004 EU enlargement fears were unfounded, survey finds

German firms feared higher competition from companies in new member states after the 2004 Eastern enlargement of the European Union. But ten years later, hardly any of these fears have materialised, a new survey reveals. EURACTIV Germany reports.