Analysis archive

EU business confidence levels at an 'all-time low'
The majority of European companies are 'pessimistic' about the future, predicting another 'tough year' ahead – writes Arnaldo Abruzzini of EUROCHAMBRES

EU funds 'can help drive north of England economy'
The north of England receives half the level public spending on development that London benefits from, and ensuring that EU structural reforms are delivered in the best way possible can help rebalance the economy, writes Paul Callaghan

Palestinian statehood bid could 'derail peace process'
All things considered, the statehood bid is potentially one of the most counter-productive developments for the Middle East peace process in years - argues Raheem Kassam

Despite promises from Hollande, France is failing Roma people
French authorities must immediately stop all evictions until all the international human rights safeguards can be guaranteed to inhabitants of informal settlements – writes Kate Allen

UK's 'vested interests' in supporting Israel
The British establishment's argument that Israel is acting in self-defence is a cynical smokescreen concealing their vested interests in derailing the peace process, argues Steve Rushton

'Shocking environmental impact' of smartphones
Many products that Europeans buy – such as mobile phones – have long and complicated transnational supply chains that have shocking impacts on the environment and communities, writes Richard Dyer

EU 'must take chance' to act on climate crisis
The EU is uniquely placed to drive forward action to tackle climate change – but with a new round of global talks taking place in Doha, it is failing to show the necessary leadership, writes Jean Lambert

A reduced EU budget will not get us out of the crisis
Either we learn the lessons of these last 60 years and we work together to relaunch Europe around peace, solidarity and competitiveness or we trap ourselves in selfish, nationalist positions – writes Joseph Daul MEP

Profiting from injustice - international investment treaties
Investor-state arbitration allows corporate profits to trump environmental protection, public health and democratic decision-making - says Pia Eberhardt

'Tangible' progress needed on carbon trading
Strengthening voluntary carbon emission markets by offering tax credits to corporates or individuals that purchase on them could be one of way of augmenting the wider efforts of countries to tackle climate change, writes Dennis Posadas

Transparency: an elusive Holy Grail?
Katherine Devlin evaluates whether transparency – held up by governments and businesses as a badge of honour but so often trumped by obfuscation – is really achievable whenever an agenda is involved

'Barbaric' shark finning is banned by MEPs 'once and for all'
While being extremely important for the marine ecosystem as a whole, as a species sharks are under threat - they are slow to mature and have a low reproduction rate - says Linda McAvan MEP

Europe not doing enough to fight child poverty
The objective of tackling child poverty has been put on the backburner at a time of austerity and many social safeguards are being sacrificed as a result - warns Catherine Mallet

EU must keep promise to poorest with financial transaction tax
Putting the money of a tax meant to curb excessive speculation on financial markets into a bail-out fund for a future financial crash would incentivise the kind of irresponsible behaviour the tax means to curb – argues Jean Letitia Saldanha

The federalist case for a financial EU constitution
The Union of European Federalists wants a redefinition of the objectives and the structures of EU institutions in the form of a convention following the upcoming European elections in 2014 – writes Till Burckhardt