Category Archives: European Debate
Europe, the laboratory of the world?
Well, at least according to Jeremy Rifkin! He develops an interesting argument here linking climate change, economic recovery, energy, globalisation, the financial crisis with future opportunities: Despite the economic crisis and the struggle to save the euro, the European dream is not dead yet: what Europe needs is an “economic vision and game plan that [...]
Posted in European Debate Tagged climate change, economy, environment, financial crisis, globalisation, jeremy rifkin, oil 2 Comments
Simon Hix: The State of European Democracy After Lisbon
Simon Hix on The State of European Democracy After Lisbon at the IIEA – The Institute of International and European Affairs.
Also posted in European Union Tagged democracy, democratic deficit, EU, european democracy, lisbon treaty, simon hix 8 Comments
Belgium takes over. Not.
What will be “sober, plain and simple”? But also “tricky” and “not glamorous”? Estonian Euro coins? No, it is the upcoming Belgian Council presidency – at least this is the characterisation of senior Belgian officials. As we are approaching its start, on July 1st, everyone is eager to hear about the famous presidency priorities. The [...]
Also posted in Europe, European Union Tagged Belgian Presidency, Belgium, Council Presidency, EU, trio 6 Comments
Brussels and the EU institutions. How it all began.
Fact: Brussels is the centre of EU activities, the main seat of its institutions. It is enshrined in the Treaties as such. But was it like this from the very beginning? And why was it chosen to play this role? Going down history lane, we find Belgium, one of the founding members of the European [...]
Also posted in Brussels, Europe, History Tagged 1958, Belgium, Brussels, EU, EU institutions, presidency 12 Comments
Euroblogs on EuroparlTV
Just found this video on Julien Frisch‘s blog. The interesting bit (at least for your humble blogger) starts at 16:50:
Let's not get too excited about the EEAS!
There is a lot of speculation about the nature of the EEAS these days. Last week the first names for the top posts have been leaked to the press. Since then there has been a fight about organigramms or how a diplomat expressed it: “There’s probably a draft organigram on every floor of every EU [...]
I don't want to be rude, but…
More youtube fame for Mr Farage but the “non -country” strikes back: http://idontwanttoberude.com/
Also posted in Brussels, Europe Tagged Belgium, EU, European Parliament, i don't want to be rude, nigel farage, ukip 9 Comments
The first European Citizens' Initiative is here!
Hooray! Every day some more Lisbon Treaty innovations. Today I came across a campaign for the first European Citizens’ Initiative. (Hat tip: Andrew Burgess) Good news is that it is not an animal rights campaign but a campaign for a “Free Sunday“. Regardless of the idea behind the “free Sunday”, the timing and the execution [...]
Posted in European Debate Tagged 1 Mio, campaign, Civil Society, ECI, European Citizens's initiative, free sunday, lisbon treaty, NGO 11 Comments
Joschka Fischer, die Krise der EU und das Problem aus Karlsruhe