Central Asia and the EU’s Historic Chance

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Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash The international Tax and Investment Centre in Washington and EU Political Report in Brussels are pleased to sponsor an international conference entitled “Central Asia and the EU’s Historic Chance”. The meeting will be held at 10.00 am on Thursday 7th December at the Brussels Press Club at Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels, Belgium. The…

Death and Taxes

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Photo by Stock Birken on Unsplash Some 70 years before Benjamin Franklin borrowed the phrase, English playwright Christopher Bullock in 1789 wrote in his comedy The Cobbler of Preston: “T’is impossible to be sure of anything but Death and Taxes.”. In the UK as in most European countries both certainties can happen together, with tax on inherited wealth…

Taiwan working with the world towards a net-zero future

Climate change is impacting the world at an unprecedented rate. The concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to rise and global average temperatures have reached record highs. But it is not too late. If we act now, we can still achieve a livable and sustainable future. Taiwan is working together with the international…

Appointment of “Lord Brexit” as UK Foreign Minister Ridiculed

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Photo by Andy Newton on Unsplash A former Europe Minister in the UK has ridiculed the appointment of former British PM David Cameron as the country’s new foreign secretary as an “odd gimmick.” Dr Denis MacShane, a former Europe Minister under Tony Blair, told EU Political Report: “David Cameron is known globally as the politician who kneeled before…

Economy Loses Momentum

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Photo by K8 on Unsplash The EU says that the European economy has lost momentum this year against the background of a “high cost of living, weak external demand and monetary tightening.” On Wednesday, the commission said that while economic activity is expected to gradually recover going forward, its “Autumn Forecast” revises EU GDP growth down compared to…

Enchanted experience makes for ideal festive treat

Dragons flying around your head and immersing you with mysterious unicorns and little elves. No, it is not a scene from a Harry Potter film but the pleasure that awaits visitors to this year’s big festive treat at ZOO Planckendael, on the outskirts of Brussels. Called “Dragons & Unicorns”, the lights spectacular (which runs to…

New Spanish Government

Tomas Nozina

Photo by Tomáš Nožina on Unsplash The European Green Party has “congratulated” the new Spanish government formed by PSOE, Sumar and regionalist parties.  The message on Thursday came after Socialist leader Pedro Sánchez clinched a vote in parliament to lead Spain for another term as prime minister. He has secured a four-seat majority in the…

Growing role for Social Media in News

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Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash A new survey says most people still rely on TV for news but that social media is catching up fast. A dedicated Eurobarometer survey, published by the European Parliament on 17 November, takes an in-depth look at media habits, including trust in different media sources. Some 68% of respondents recall having recently…

EU-US Summit

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Photo by Nelson Ndongala on Unsplash An MEP has given a guarded welcome to the outcome of the recent summit between the EU and U.S. The European Union and the United States of America held their second summit in Washington, DC and comment has come in on the negotiations. German MEP Reinhard Bütikofer, transatlantic spokesperson of the Greens/EFA…

Young People and Mental Health

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Photo by Finn on Unsplash Young people’s mental health is being increasingly compromised by the excessive use of social media, concerns about climate change and a sense of powerlessness.  This is a political issue for the EU because it can often be linked to the labour market and housing situation facing young people “Young people and mental health”…