Articles archive
EU not taking citizen dialogue seriously, says ombudsman
Many European Commission documents are only published in English or a limited number of languages but multilingualism is essential for citizens to exercise their right to participate - writes the European Ombudsman
EU awarded Nobel Prize for creating lasting peace
In possibly the best public relations boost it has ever received, the EU has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012 - despite the ongoing eurozone crisis, riots on the streets and growing nationalism in member states
Van Rompuy: EU's relative decline 'a happy thing'
Europe has "nothing to fear and everything to gain" from the rise of emerging economies – and its relative decline should be welcomed, say political and business leaders
Economic growth in Europe may flatline for 25 years
Continuing problems with the single currency and a lack of willingness to embrace controversial technologies like GM food and shale gas could result in economic stagnation for the next two and a half decades – academic warns
Europe is plundering the fish stocks of Africa through CFP
Illegal fishing in Africa by European Union fleets is colonialism by fishing boat rather than gunboat, resulting in economic and ecological disaster, writes Nigel Farage MEP
Decentralise fisheries control from Brussels to nations - MEP
Effective management of coastal waters is better done by individual member states rather than officials in Brussels – claims Ian Hudghton MEP
Spain downgraded to near 'junk' status as death spiral continues
Spain's long list of problems includes an economy in chaos, a political system threatening to turn in on itself and higher borrowing costs resulting from a lack of eurozone support - warns ratings agency
The dangers of nanotechnology, a warning to consumers
Although there is potential benefit to consumers, nanomaterials can also pose new threats to human health and the environment - warns Sylvia Maurer
Are Europeans starting to accept the need for federalism?
A more federal language is starting to emerge and there is more acceptance now than there was two years ago that EU widening and deepening may be necessary – writes Philip Whyte
Commission oil industry regulation grab fails
The plan to create one centralised regulatory regime for the oil industry - based in Brussels - has rightly been stopped in its tracks - says Peter Skinner MEP
Commission plan - 're-industrialise' Europe, reject offshoring
With unemployment rates in double digits in most EU countries, the European Commission is launching a new strategy to re-industrialise Europe with the aim of creating more jobs and tackling the worsening social crisis of the old continent, Francesco Guarascio reports
GM mosquitoes can kill off dengue fever threat
Dengue fever is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease with up to 100 million cases every year, but GM mosquitoes can nullify the threat safely despite claims to the contrary – says company boss Haydn Parry
Breakthrough in push for financial transaction tax
Eleven countries led by Germany and France have indicated their willingness to sign up to a financial transaction tax, enabling a group of European Union member states to push ahead with the policy
The future of EU fisheries policy, the commissioner's view
Some 68 per cent of EU fish stocks are overfished and Europe is lagging behind internationally when it comes to protecting the ocean's ecosystem and industry jobs - writes European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki
Merkel gives support to Greece on Athens visit
Visiting Athens for the first time since the onset of the crisis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledges the 'suffering' of the Greek people but keeps the pressure on Greece to meet the conditions of its bail-out