Photo by ev on Unsplash The EU has not been effective in supporting the development of supplementary pensions, which complement state pensions and help ensure an adequate retirement income for EU citizens, according to a new report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA). Against the backdrop of an ageing population in the EU, the…
Author: Martin Banks
EU-Wide Journalism Award Launched
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash The fifth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism has been launched. It is run the European Parliament and seeks to reward top quality journalism. The idea is to recognise journalists who promote or defend the core principles and values of the European Union. These are said…
New Sanctions on Russia and Belarus
Photo by MDSUMAR28 on Unsplash MEPs in Brussels have backed increased tariffs on fertilisers and certain Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods. The move, taken in a vote on Thursday, seeks to reduce EU dependency on those imports. The parliamentary plenary has endorsed the EU Commission proposal to increase by 50% EU tariffs on agricultural products…
Result of Romanian Election Welcomed by MEPs
Photo by Sasha Pleshco on Unsplash MEPs have broadly welcomed the outcome of Romania’s presidential election. The liberal, pro-EU mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, fought off a strong challenge from a Romanian right-wing nationalist to win the presidency after months of political turbulence. Dan swept to victory with 53.6% of the vote. He campaigned on…
EU-UK Relations Open New Chapter Post-Brexit
Photo by Rocco Dipoppa on Unsplash MEPs have broadly welcomed a new set of agreements thrashed out at an EU/UK summit in London on Monday. The summit, attended by, among others, two EU leaders and the UK PM, aims to strike a re-set in post-Brexit relations between the two. It was attended by Sir Keir…
Belgian SME Commended on Anniversary
The Mayor of Waterloo in Belgium has praised a local SME for helping to boost the local economy. Florence Reuter was speaking at a special event to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of Caspian Tradition, based in Waterloo. From relatively humble beginnings, the business has grown to become a leading player in its…
Brussels Think Tank Fights for Free Speech
A debate at a leading Brussels hotel had to be rearranged after what the organisers called a “cowardly” attack. The discussion about the new Donald Trump era and geopolitics was due to be held at the Stanhope hotel near the city’s EU Quarter on Wednesday evening. But, after eggs were thrown at the hotel,…
EU Increases Aid to Caribbean and Latin America
Photo by Richard Lu on Unsplash The European Commission says it will provide €120 million in new humanitarian aid to several Latin American and Caribbean countries this year. This, it says, is to help the region’s most vulnerable, in view of the recent natural disasters and armed conflicts. Part of the aid will also bolster…
Too Many Europeans Facing Evictions
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash A new study calls for regulation in the short term housing rental sector across the EU but in a balanced manner. The legislative proposal aims to fill the regulatory gap in an industry that is having real-world impacts, including housing shortages, rising rents, resident displacement, online discrimination, and a…
New Man at the Top of Brewers of Europe
The Brewers of Europe’s General Assembly has elected as its new President, Christian Weber, CEO of the Karlsberg brewery and current President also of the German Brewers’ Association, the Deutscher Brauer-Bund. Weber is the fifth generation of his family to run the Karlsberg Brauerei KG Weber, to give the brewery its full name. He is…