Disconnected growth: Poor rural connectivity threatens agricultural innovation in the EU
25 Aug Member States

Disconnected growth: Poor rural connectivity threatens agricultural innovation in the EU

Patchy broadband and limited 5G are holding back the adoption of new agricultural technologies across Europe’s rural regions.
by Matt Lynes
Six things to take forward from this week’s Ukraine talks
22 Aug Foreign & Security Policy
Six things to take forward from this week’s Ukraine talks
US tariff relief offers mixed blessings to German car sector
21 Aug Member States
US tariff relief offers mixed blessings to German car sector
Op-ed: Europe’s wine and spirits sector must be helped through the trade war
21 Aug Member States
Op-ed: Europe’s wine and spirits sector must be helped through the trade war
30 Jul 20
CCS: why it can only be a transition technology
Carbon capture, storage and utilisation technologies can help Europe’s industries decarbonise, but they should not be seen as a holy grail for achieving climate neutrality, writes Jens Geier.
30 Jul 20
EU and UK strike conciliatory tone over possibility of Brexit trade deal being struck by autumn
UK government says it ‘still believes’ there is chance of reaching an agreement by October.
29 Jul 20
EU recovery plan an opportunity to restructure Europe
EU leaders will meet Angela Merkel on Wednesday to discuss the next steps towards reaching a swift agreement on the bloc’s massive Coronavirus recovery fund and its next long-term budget.
29 Jul 20
A sea change in fisheries
The reform of the EU’s fisheries control system is one of the most important debates currently under discussion in the European Parliament, and the result will have a significant impact on the future of the sector, explains Clara Aguilera.
28 Jul 20
Assessing the new geopolitical landscape
As the Western world begins to slowly exit from COVID-19 lockdowns, it is clear that the pandemic has accelerated some geopolitical priorities and posed serious questions about how Europe will address these questions, writes Ryszard Czarnecki.
28 Jul 20
Senior MEP urges Member States to ensure that delayed Conference on Future of Europe starts in September
Mairead McGuinness, a Vice-President of Parliament, wants the Council to draw up its position on the planned conference “as soon as possible.”
28 Jul 20
European Commission could cut EU funds to countries violating rule of law
The “conditionality” clause is part of the agreement on the next EU long-term budget which is now set to be negotiated by the main EU institutions.
28 Jul 20
Scotland & the EU: Auld acquaintances
Michael Russell, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, tells Martin Banks that an independent Scotland’s path to re-joining the EU would be helped by its unique experience of already having been part of the bloc for 47 years.
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28 Jul 20
Defending the Defenceless: Pakistan’s Rural Support Network takes the lead
Shandana Humayun Khan, CEO of the Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN), urges the EU to join the battle against COVID-19 and support the most vulnerable communities in Pakistan.
27 Jul 20
EU policymakers condemn Poland over withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
Poland’s decision to withdraw from the groundbreaking domestic violence treaty comes against a backdrop of intensified violence against women since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
27 Jul 20
MEPs warn their consent to EU long-term budget ‘cannot be taken for granted’
The warning on Monday comes from the cross-party group of MEPs who comprise Parliament’s negotiating team on the recovery fund and long-term budget.
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27 Jul 20
Wolves in sheep’s clothing
In recent years, women’s rights, gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have been contested by a small but vocal number of Catholic-inspired European networks who managed to infiltrate institutions and governments, reports Lorna Hutchinson.
24 Jul 20
EU recovery plan agreed at a “sour price”
The European Economic and Social Committee has raised concerns over the the deal reached by European leaders.
23 Jul 20
MEPs set to battle to overturn proposed cuts to EU’s long-term budget
In a debate in Parliament on the outcome of the marathon EU summit, MEPs welcomed the €750bn recovery plan but voiced fierce opposition to cuts to the budget.
23 Jul 20
Last chance saloon for Brexit trade deal as Barnier brands it ‘unlikely’
As the EU and UK wrapped up their latest round of talks in London, the EU’s chief negotiator was dubious of the likelihood of breaking the deadlock while his UK counterpart was decidedly more upbeat on the prospect of a deal in September.
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23 Jul 20
Pandemic, infodemic and disinformation
Europe is facing the greatest threat to its democracies since WWII, and now more than ever we must push back and defend the values and principles we stand for, argues President of the European Foundation for Democracy Roberta Bonazzi.
23 Jul 20
S&D leader: Next seven-year EU budget falls short of what’s needed
Iratxe García Pérez has warned that her group will not accept any watering down of conditionality on the compliance with democracy and rule of law.
23 Jul 20
America and Europe: united despite diversity
Although there are big differences between the US and Europe over trade, US ambassador to the EU, Ronald Gidwitz, tells Rajnish Singh that the transatlantic partnership remains strong and resilient.
22 Jul 20
David Sassoli: EU long-term budget ‘needs correcting’ and Parliament will try to ‘improve’ it
Parliament’s President said that while the assembly is “satisfied” with the €750bn recovery plan to deal with the COVID-19 health crisis, proposed cuts in certain areas of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) need to be rectified.
22 Jul 20
A European strategy to fight child sexual abuse
Catherine De Bolle explains why, given the surge in the online distribution of explicit material during lockdown, she is convinced that a coordinated European strategy is the best way to combat child sexual abuse.
21 Jul 20
EU leaders thrash out deal on Coronavirus recovery fund and budget as Parliament awaits final say
After one of the longest summits on record, the heads of state finally reached agreement on Tuesday morning, but the final hurdle remains, with the consent of the European Parliament still pending.
20 Jul 20
MEPs underline ‘overwhelming evidence’ of rule of law breaches in Poland
Deputies have overwhelmingly voted in favour of a report criticising the “continuing deterioration” of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Poland.
20 Jul 20
Brexit talks to resume with focus on trade level playing field, fisheries and governance
Ahead of the resumption of negotiations on Tuesday, Michel Barnier and David Frost, the chief negotiators for the two sides, will have a dinner in London, where this week’s talks will take place.
20 Jul 20
How Europe can fight money laundering
A stricter, more uniform approach to the EU’s antimoney laundering policies will be more effective in countering the financing of terrorism and other illicit activities, explains Eero Heinäluoma.