The Assembly of the European Regions (AER), the Centre for International Studies (CEI) and Ágora Diplomática have organized a conference entitled “Interregional economic cooperation as a driving force for the reconstruction and economic growth of Ukraine”, with the presence of senior representatives of the Ukrainian regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Sumy and the cities of Kharkiv…
Regions
Welcome to Barbieland
Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash Many young, non-white and Muslim, as well as central and Eastern European citizens in the 27 EU members states feel excluded, disillusioned or uninterested in the politics of the European Union, according to a major new report published today by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)…
Important Changes in Travel to Europe
Photo by Ethan Wilkinson on Unsplash The European Union is introducing two important changes for travel to Europe in a few weeks. These are: EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which is planned to launch on 10 November in 2024 and European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), due in mid-2025. For those planning to…
2024 Budapest Forum
Photo by Nico Herrndobler on Unsplash Over 500 participants took part in the 2024 Budapest Forum. They included government ministers, ambassadors, national politicians, academics and policy experts who gathered last week at the Central European University (CEU) in Hungary. The annual event, which seeks to find democratic solutions to challenges facing the world…
Speed Up Aid for Flood Victims
MEPs are calling on the EU to speed up financial aid for victims of the devastating floods affecting a quarter of European countries. Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Germany have all been hit by extreme weather conditions, resulting in the deaths of 23 people. MEPs say the loss of life and the…
LEZ is Hot in Brussels
Photo by Ben Morris on Unsplash The two-year postponement of the next phase of the LEZ (the low emission zone) in Brussels is not a proposal burdened with community-based issues. I am Dutch-speaking and co-submitted the proposal. So why is it, as we say in Belgium, being played out as a community issue?…
Michel Barnier Appointed as Prime Minister
New French PM Michel Barnier will give “some much-needed ballast to France’s somewhat unstable leadership”. That is the view of a former vice president of the European parliament. Edward McMillan-Scott was speaking to this website after Barnier’s appointment on Thursday. Known in France as Monsieur Brexit, Barnier, who is 73, is France’s oldest prime minister since…
Belgium Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Liberation
Flanders and the rest of Belgium will this weekend mark the 80th anniversary of its liberation in the Second World War with several events, including in Ypres, the town forever associated with conflict. Ieper, also known as Ypres in West Flanders, is an area that saw intense fighting throughout the First World War. Known to…
Julia Leferman Takes the Helm
Julia Leferman has officially assumed her role as the new Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, the body that represents the huge brewing sector in Europe. She describes it as a “bold vision to position beer at the centre of European Union policy.” Leferman’s leadership, she said, will focus on driving innovation, promoting responsible…
Commission Approves State Aid for Nokian Tyres
The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules some €99.5 million support for the Romanian company Nokian Tyres. The aid will support the establishment of a new zero carbon dioxide emission factory for passenger car tyres in Oradea. The measure will contribute to EU objectives, says the European Commission. This relates to job…