Articles archive
PM: Latvia's place is at the core of Europe, not its fringe
Joining the euro in 2014 remains one of Latvia's strategic goals as it recovers from the economic crisis, and the small Baltic country intends to play its full part as a core member of the European Union, writes Valdis Dombrovskis
EU commits to sustainable energy targets
The EU will commit hundreds of millions of euros to an effort to extend access to sustainable energy to 500 million people in developing countries by 2030 as part of a UN-led scheme
US-European missile defence - a way forward
Ballistic missile defence systems deployed in Europe need to interlock with the larger US system to address the truly global threat that is emerging from a multi-polar world – warns Andrew A. Michta
Commission to investigate mobile wallet project
A joint venture between the United Kingdom's biggest mobile network operators to allow customers to pay for goods using their smartphones faces an anti-trust investigation by the European Commission
Airlines call for US recognition of EU air cargo security
Airlines have called on the United States to recognise that European air cargo security standards are as rigorous as its own
EU must back Palestinians cut off from farmlands by Israel
By preventing Palestinian farmers from reaching their land for most of the year, Israel is reducing many of them to poverty - claims Bill Van Esveld
From the Falklands to Iran, sanctions are no panacea
Trade embargoes are an irritant, rather than a proven means of coercion. Our secret columnist considers some recent examples and discovers that the target country often uses sanctions to its advantage - as a springboard to drum up patriotism among citizens
'State failure' in North Africa - a real security risk to Europe
There is a risk that countries like Libya and Egypt will become playgrounds for organised crime and terrorist groups, if Europe fails to provide suitable incentives for states to reform - warns Sir Michael Leigh
Modernising higher education key to Europe's future
More than ever, sustainable economic development depends on skills, knowledge and innovation – but to achieve it Europe must increase the proportion of its workforce that has a higher education qualification, writes Androulla Vassiliou
Controversial North Korea rocket launch fails
A controversial long-range North Korean rocket launch ended in failure, crashing into the Yellow Sea just minutes after launch, it has been confirmed
Brussels wants strict limits on bank bonuses
Bankers' bonuses could be strictly limited under proposals put forward by members of an influential committee in the European Parliament
Understanding the EU Budget - pure smoke and mirrors
The process of agreeing a European Union Budget is so complex and opaque that many wonder if it is worth all the bother – given that it represents just 1 per cent of Europe's economy. Our secret columnist takes a close look
Staring into the public sector pensions abyss
Leaving taxpayers on the hook for growing liabilities runs the risk that we may not be able to afford to pay the pensions that have been promised - or further cuts to public services - claims Emma Boon
UK helicopter 'may have seen' stranded Libyan refugees
A British or American helicopter may have seen and been able to rescue 72 refugees who fled Tripoli by boat in the early days of NATO's military operation in Libya last year, according to a new report
Wind farms are damaging ocean carbon sinks
We cannot afford to sanction the continued destruction of our remaining 'blue carbon' habitats merely to fast track wind farm development – warns Struan Stevenson MEP