About: euro

I use cash, and I’m not a criminal

Politicians left and right have begun calling for a ban on large-denomination banknotes and restrictions on cash payments as a means of fighting crime, money laundering and terrorism. Their argument is flawed, writes Guillaume Lepecq.

The euro shows the way for the EU

The euro is the right kind of project at a time when Europe seeks to maintain its standard of life, its affluence, its relative political stability, and its say in international affairs, writes Jan Techau.

It’s Europe, stupid!

The real question facing us is not whether to say yes or no to Syriza, but how the EU continues its construction, write Ernest Maragall MEP and Jordi Angusto.

Europe must not abandon Greece in its hour of need

Negotiations between the new Greek government and the European institutions are fast approaching the point where lines will have to be drawn and clear positions taken. At that point, the likelihood (or not) of reaching an agreement will become clearer, writes Ernest Maragall MEP.

Europe in the global economy: Surprising external strength amid domestic weakness

The EU has maintained its share in global exports over the past decade, whereas other mature economies have seen theirs decline considerably, most notably the US and Japan, says Daniel Gros.

EU needs strong enforcement of money-laundering laws

The eurogroup’s insistence that Cyprus’ anti-money laundering framework is assessed by a private firm violates EU law, argues Andreas Frank.

A difficult year ends on a promising note

The eurozone’s financial markets end this year in a much better shape than they did last year, but this gain rests on the promise that real progress towards banking union will be achieved in the coming year, writes Daniel Gros.

Finding a sensible solution to banking oversight

The European Parliament is voting in committee this week on the legislation which installs the single supervisory mechanism for Europe's banks. Tricky stuff - especially when certain governments in the Council appear to be backsliding on the banking union, writes Andrew Duff.

An EU corporate tax: Breaking the shackles of austerity?

A European-level corporate tax could have bigger and more effective anti-cyclical effects than the financial transaction tax backed by some EU leaders, Ian Begg argues.

Spain: Reform or break-up

A point of no return has been reached in the negotiations between the Spanish and Catalan governments, raising doubts about the future of the country, says Joan Marc Simon.

Don’t expect political union anytime soon

More muddling-through in the EU is in the pipeline. If that wasn’t so dangerous, one could somehow live with it. But the problem with muddling-through is that it does not offer a perspective for those countries that are really suffering in this crisis. It does not create hope. Europe is in a bind, writes Jan Techau.

More integration with more attractive regions for investment

There are still significant economic disparities within the EU, such as the ones between North and South or among different EU regions. But EU member states have a common interest in tackling those challenges together, argues Rodi Kratsa-Tsagapopoulou.

Only a political suicide or national unity government can save Spain and the euro

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, his voters are being bled dry on all sides. At the same time, an impatient EU is piling on the pressure to inflict even more pain at speed. It is a difficult balancing act for Rajoy, who needs his voters to believe that he has their best interests at heart under relentless pressure from the markets and the EU, writes Andy Langenkamp.

Proposal to finance European investment, growth and jobs

A key missing ingredient in solving the euro crisis is the urgent restoration of growth, which European citizens demand and several leaders are increasingly stressing. Yet, meaningful actions on a sufficient scale have not yet been taken, argue Stephany Griffith-Jones, Matthias Kollatz-Ahnen and Lars Andersen in a recent study.

Can Eastern Europe escape the eurozone crisis?

Countries in Eastern Europe have until now shown remarkable economic resilience, after being hit harder by the 2008–2009. But their economic future relies on a new model of growth, argues Jana Grittersova.

The new Greek government needs EU support

Although the establishment of a coalition government in Greece marks an important step for the country to escape the danger of descending into political and economic turmoil, the new government faces a number of challenges that will weigh heavily on its stability and, ultimately, on its success, argues Anna Visvizi.

A weak EU is in America’s interest

Despite having a number of reasons to want the EU to break up, Washington knows that a European meltdown could destabilise the United States. Therefore, keeping the Europeans in a state of long-term unease is acceptable to the United States, says Stratfor.

Germany moves slowly towards a solution

Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel have the opportunity to unify Europe for the third time in a century but, this time, through peaceful, democratic and "solidarisch" means, says David Gow.

US lawmaker: No ‘blank cheque’ for Europe

The Obama administration has quietly endorsed the International Monetary Fund's support for European bailouts because the White House believes the deals will enforce "austerity" and gradually revive Europe's struggling economies. Now is the time to question that assumption, says Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Grexit: 400-year old deal obsolete?

Greece is more likely to stay in the eurozone than go as other countries do not want their banks to go under due to an early Grexit. Their motivation will be negative rather than inspired by a desire to achieve further integration as a means of strengthening Europe. But a positive attitude can only be expected if voters start to realise it is better for their national interests if they put European interests first, says Andy Langenkamp.

Greece’s choice: a hard landing or a crash

  Even though austerity depresses economic output, the Adjustment Programme is not the root of Greece's woes, argues Nikos Chrysoloras, a Brussels-based correspondent for Kathimerini, Greece’s leading newspaper and a Robert Bosch Stiftung “EU Journalism Fellow” for 2012, on a journalism practice with EURACTIV.com.  The op-ed was first published on the Euro Crisis blog. 

A useful treaty, or an empty gesture?

The new treaty on fiscal discipline cannot alone address the euro crisis and while there has been renewed talk of growth by EU leaders, current plans have proven "pitifully weak," says Carole Ulmer.

Greece: Life after debt

Greece has a future beyond the current crisis, whether the country defaults or not, argues Sophia Chrysopoulou.

Europe on verge of political breakdown

Instead of worrying about difficult medium to long-term issues like Eurobonds and a fiscal union, the euro zone's leaders should focus on the immediate problems of recapitalising its banks, giving Greece breathing space and restarting economic growth, argues Barry Eichengreen.