After The Summit: It’s All Downhill

The European Policy Centre held an event to discuss their analysis of the European Council summit. Antonio Missiroli, Director of Studies, backed Barrosso’s view that it had been “a summit of delivery” and said that it had “managed to shape and show a united EU front on all the main issues on the agenda and [...]

Eurosceptics

With the approach of the 2009 European Parliamentary elections, there is growing concern that turnout will decline and the fortunes of eurosceptic parties will increase. But who are the Eurosceptics and what do they believe in?

The UK Independence Party (UKIP) advocate a withdrawal from the EU, replacing it with a free trade zone, not political [...]

Waltzing Without Bashir

The March 30th Arab Summit in Doha could be a little uncomfortable after Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir announced his intention to attend, in defiance of the International Criminal Court’s warrant for his arrest.
However, it is almost certain that the visit will take place without incident, especially after Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal condemmed the ICC [...]

Sir Bob and the Biomass Rats

Sir Bob Geldof was the keynote speaker at the ninth World Biofuels Markets conference, held in Brussels Expo last week, and was typically outspoken with a passionate call to action on poverty reduction. Since Live Aid in 1984, Geldof has become a recognised spokesman on development issues and his notorious underuse of cleaning products further [...]

Development: Going, Going, Grants!

Friday the 13th was a lucky day for many NGO’s around the world, when Europe Aid announced a novel idea for financing environmental initiatives, by bringing together nearly 100 approved but unfunded projects and a range of donors such as local authorities, EU member-states as well as private sector foundations.
According to Europe Aid Director, Koos [...]

Custard has no place in politics

This article appeared in New Europe on 16 March 2009, and is an rewritten and updated version of an earlier piece
There was much schadenfreude at the sight of former trade Commissioner, and current Secretary of State for Business, Peter Mandelson being covered in custard by climate change protestor, Leila Deen last week. Amongst the press [...]

Part 2: Interview with Commissioner Wallstrom

This is the second and final part of the interview. Also present is Joe Hennon, her Spokesman. Part one is here
Part 2 Interview with Commissioner Wallstrom (31.05, 28.4mb, mp3)
Criticism, the citizens’ right to have a voice, how to tell if a Commissioner is doing a good job, getting rid of jargon, what frustrates her, advice [...]