Photo by Patrycia Jadach on Unsplash.com The beer sector helps drive the European economy, according to a new report by Europe Economics. The report, published on 16 October, says the sector creates millions of jobs and billions in government tax revenues. Despite ongoing repercussions from the pandemic closures in the hospitality sector and…
Year: 2024
The David Downside Dossier
Destruction of Ukraine’s Cultural Heritage
Photo: Alina Bodnar / UNITED24 The recent adoption of the Declaration “Destruction of Cultural Heritage in Ukraine” by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe marks an important step in recognising the consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The document notes that as a result of deliberate actions by…
Fighting Against Climate Change
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Climate campaigners have called for EU political leaders to step up the fight against global warming. The group, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, said it cautiously welcomes the conclusions of last week’s meeting of EU environment ministers. This set out the EU’s negotiating position ahead of COP29…
North Korean Boots on European Soil?
Photo by Micha Brändli on Unsplash The invasion of Ukraine has taken a new turn with Russia increasingly drawing its ally, North Korea, into the conflict. Under President Putin, Russia is forming a comprehensive strategic partnership with Pyongyang, pledging mutual military assistance in the event of attacks on either nation. This alliance bears an…
Alsace Cuisine Featured by “Wine Days”
Photo by Arvid Høidahl on Unsplash Alsace cuisine is heading to Brussels at the city’s annual “wine days” event, a month-long jamboree showcasing some of the best food and drink from France. The region, located on the west bank of the Rhine River bordering Germany, is known for the quality of its food…
Interpol Launches “Operation Identify Me”
Photo by Sam McNamara on Unsplash An international campaign to solve the mystery of scores of missing women in Belgium and mainland Europe is being stepped up. The initiative, called “Operation Identify Me”, aims to identify women whose bodies were found in six European countries, many of whom are believed to have been murdered….
Georgia: Between Russian Past and European Future
In just mere weeks, the moment of truth for Georgia will set things straight, as the country suits up to make its existential choice for the civilised future. The people will cast their vote in the historical election that is set to define the country’s fate for decades to come, writes Viktor Sparov. On October 26,…
Erosion of EU Sanctions Policy
Despite the imposition of the most stringent sanctions on Russia since 2014, aimed at crippling its military-industrial complex, the resilience of Russia’s defence sector remains evident, largely due to ongoing support from Chinese companies. These sanctions, designed to restrict high-tech product supplies, have not succeeded in stifling the production of military equipment and armaments in…
Rebuke for Viktor Orbán
An expert on European Union affairs says Hungary’s EU presidency programme has “little weight.” Zsuzsanna Vegh, an expert on the politics of Central and Eastern Europe and programme officer at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, said that, instead, it highlights the extent to which the prime minister and his European allies are…