Articles archive
Third of amphibian species face extinction
The current extinction rate of amphibians is roughly 1,000 times higher than at any other time in their 360-million- year history, and the European Union has a crucial role in helping stop the decline, writes Jaime Garcia Moreno
Italy criticises UK failed hostage rescue
Italian President Giorgio Giorgio Napolitano has described it as "inexplicable" that his government was not informed of a British rescue attempt that led to the deaths of two hostages
Romania and Bulgaria: second class EU members?
Our secret columnist considers Romania and Bulgaria's progress – or lack of it – in tackling corruption since joining the European Union in 2007, and wonders what the EU gets out of their membership
Euro crisis unlikely to hit Obama re-election bid
Many in the White House are worried that new developments in the eurozone debt crisis might affect Barack Obama's bid for a second term in November's presidential elections, writes Jacob Funk Kirkegaard
Decision due on Greek bail-out after bond swap success
Eurozone finance ministers say Greece has met all the conditions for its fresh bail-out after the Greek government announced a high take-up of its bond swap offer
Catherine Ashton too busy to talk to the press about EEAS
Under-fire European High Representative of Foreign Affairs faces 'huge workload' that just does not allow for many media commitments - senior commission official tells PublicServiceEurope.com
Mandelson calls for 'eurozone mark II' with finance ministry
A 'eurozone mark II' should feature a central finance ministry with tax-raising powers and the ability to set spending ceilings in member states, Lord Mandelson tells PublicServiceEurope.com
Seven days - a week in the life of Olle Schmidt
The Swedish MEP's week includes meetings with the Ethiopian and Danish ambassadors to Brussels, promoting a bid to get more women onto the board of the ECB, and lunch at a Malmö theatre
Mandatory quotas could 'turn the tide' for women
After many years of trying, women are still far from equally represented in decision-making position in European companies, and mandatory quotas would be the politically courageous response, writes Marije Cornelissen
European Arrest Warrant 'needs safeguards against abuse'
Reforming the European Arrest Warrant to avoid abuse and overuse would be good for suspects, police forces, and the public's faith in EU law, writes Emily Smith
Arms sales increase despite economic crisis
Increased sales illustrate how the arms industry is shielded from drastic financial threats, according to new data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, writes Dr Susan Jackson
No guarantee of quick EU entry for independent Scotland
An independent Scotland could not rely on a fast-track accession to the EU, especially if it demands UK opt-outs in key areas such as the euro are carried over, says a new report
UK mansion tax would be 'grossly unfair'
The United Kingdom's 50p top rate of tax on income over £150,000 should be abolished, but replacing it with a so-called mansion tax would also be a mistake, writes Philip Booth
UK industry suffers lack of robotics expertise
Using robots to carry out hazardous, difficult or repetitive jobs can improve productivity, reduce costs and boost profits – but many UK manufacturers struggle with old and inefficient equipment, writes Mike Wilson
Yugoslavia - the forgotten conflict
The EU should be doing everything it can with persuasion and money to ensure Balkan regional cooperation, but instead the neighbourhood policy is failing and the union is 'Balkanising'. Our secret columnist considers the troubles and strife that continues to plague the region