Build a European border policy to save Schengen, says former negotiator
29 Jul Member States

Build a European border policy to save Schengen, says former negotiator

Joachim Bitterlich grew up dreaming of a borderless Europe, and as a diplomat played his part in making it happen. Now he says the Schengen free-travel zone is under threat, with radical action needed to dissuade governments from throwing up borders once again.
by Eloise Hardy
Europe’s ‘good as it gets’ trade deal redefines ties with Washington
28 Jul Member States
Europe’s ‘good as it gets’ trade deal redefines ties with Washington
Op-ed: Workers must be protected to power the twin transition
29 Jul Member States
Op-ed: Workers must be protected to power the twin transition
China snubs Europe, dashing hopes of summit breakthrough
25 Jul EU Institutions
China snubs Europe, dashing hopes of summit breakthrough
Ready for racial justice: Tackling structural racism in the EU
18 Mar
Ready for racial justice: Tackling structural racism in the EU
Racism is not simply individual acts of hate; racism is a structural issue, embedded in our political, social and economic system, and it’s time that the EU understands this, writes Alfiaz Vaiya.
MEPs throw weight behind ‘End the Cage Age’ campaign
18 Mar
MEPs throw weight behind ‘End the Cage Age’ campaign
A letter to the European Commission supports calls for the executive to propose a phase-out of the use of cages for farmed animals, starting with laying hens.
A holistic approach for Europe's Methane Strategy
18 Mar
A holistic approach for Europe's Methane Strategy
In order to achieve the EU's emission reduction targets, we must ensure there is a business case for companies to make the green transition, writes Maria Spyraki.
A desperate need for new solutions in the EU Methane Strategy
18 Mar
A desperate need for new solutions in the EU Methane Strategy
Technological developments, such as methane hoods coupled with alternative feed compositions, could allow us to reduce agricultural methane emissions; however, scaling back on livestock will not solve the problem, argues Asger Christensen.
MEPs give guarded welcome to new Commission plans for ‘Digital Green Certificate’
17 Mar
MEPs give guarded welcome to new Commission plans for ‘Digital Green Certificate’
The “vaccine passport” will collate details on vaccinations, tests and Coronavirus recovery to let travellers cross borders freely again after a year of severe restrictions.
‘Newly assertive’ Russia and ‘rise’ of China pose biggest security threats to West, says NATO chief
17 Mar
‘Newly assertive’ Russia and ‘rise’ of China pose biggest security threats to West, says NATO chief
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was speaking at a news conference where he presented his annual report for the last 12 months.
EMA chief admits public trust in Coronavirus vaccines could erode due to AstraZeneca safety probe
17 Mar
EMA chief admits public trust in Coronavirus vaccines could erode due to AstraZeneca safety probe
Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has sought to allay fears concerning the AstraZeneca vaccine, emphasising that the benefits “outweigh any risks.”
The EU’s key to the Indo-Pacific? Partner Content
17 Mar
The EU’s key to the Indo-Pacific?
Thailand plays a crucial role in ASEAN, RCEP, and the multilateral trading system and can be a key partner in the region, writes Folkert Graafsma.
Yemen, Iran and Oman: Reaching out to Peace through Food Partner Content
17 Mar
Yemen, Iran and Oman: Reaching out to Peace through Food
Despite the second wave of Covid-19, the overall diplomatic air in Muscat is optimistic, writes Sayyid Nooh Mohammed Al Busaidi.
Senior ECDC official tells EU it must move ‘faster, faster, faster’ on vaccine rollout
16 Mar
Senior ECDC official tells EU it must move ‘faster, faster, faster’ on vaccine rollout
Bruno Ciancio, chief of the surveillance section at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, was speaking to MEPs on Monday on the new Coronavirus variants.
Autism Awareness Day: A yawning gap between rhetoric and action
16 Mar
Autism Awareness Day: A yawning gap between rhetoric and action
The pandemic has exposed the stigma that people on the autism spectrum still face; it’s time for the EU to ditch the empty words and up its game, writes Jordi Cañas.
Autism Awareness Day: Why we need a European approach to autism
16 Mar
Autism Awareness Day: Why we need a European approach to autism
A strategic and integrated European approach to autism spectrum disorder would provide much-needed support to persons on the autism spectrum as well as their families in these challenging times, writes Victor Negrescu.
MEPs back legal action against UK over alleged breach of Northern Ireland Protocol
16 Mar
MEPs back legal action against UK over alleged breach of Northern Ireland Protocol
European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič said he hopes the issue can be resolved without further legal action, but it could lead to the UK having to defend its actions at the European Court of Justice.
Universities must have a voice in shaping the European Research Area Partner Content
16 Mar
Universities must have a voice in shaping the European Research Area
The new ERA will need to bring all sides to the table so that we can shape the future of Europe’s R&I sector together, writes the European University Association’s Stephane Berghmans.
Commission’s ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to help boost travel during the ongoing crisis
15 Mar
Commission’s ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to help boost travel during the ongoing crisis
The proposed certificate is designed to provide proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has recovered from it, or has received a negative test result.
MEPs to learn more about new EU attempt to contain variants of Coronavirus
15 Mar
MEPs to learn more about new EU attempt to contain variants of Coronavirus
With Member States still firmly in the grip of the pandemic, the Commission is proposing what it calls “immediate action” to prepare Europe for the “increased” threat of Coronavirus variants.
Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland’s future is in the EU
15 Mar
Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland’s future is in the EU
Brexit took the Scots out of the European Union against their will, but future EU membership is part of the vision for an independent Scotland, explains Nicola Sturgeon.
EU Ombudsman investigating European Medicines Agency ‘fast tracking’ procedure
15 Mar
EU Ombudsman investigating European Medicines Agency ‘fast tracking’ procedure
Emily O’Reilly told MEPs that the EMA had been required to make recommendations on vaccines for COVID-19 in “record time” and has been working with a “fast-track procedure.”
Senior MEP says recent case of live animals transported at sea demonstrates ‘urgent need’ for major crackdown
15 Mar
Senior MEP says recent case of live animals transported at sea demonstrates ‘urgent need’ for major crackdown
Thomas Waitz says he was incensed by the suffering of a shipload of animals who were stranded at sea for over two and a half months.
EU Pact on Migration & Asylum: How can we ensure the effectiveness of national monitoring mechanisms? Partner Content
15 Mar
EU Pact on Migration & Asylum: How can we ensure the effectiveness of national monitoring mechanisms?
National monitoring mechanisms should play a key role in instilling a human rights culture in border management entities, writes Birgit Van Hout.
Why we cannot wait for a 'European solution' to the Moria refugee camp
15 Mar
Why we cannot wait for a "European solution" to the Moria refugee camp
We need a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ for a better and more humane European asylum policy which focuses on human rights and the individual right to asylum, argues Erik Marquardt.
Issue 532 | 15 March 2021
15 Mar
Issue 532 | 15 March 2021
Gracing this issue’s cover is Spanish Renew Europe deputy Jordi Cañas. With the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement negotiations approaching the finish line, Parliament’s rapporteur tells reporter Ana Gallego why this may be the last chance to seal a deal with the South American trade bloc.
COVID-19 crisis having ‘huge toll on children, warn MEPs
12 Mar
COVID-19 crisis having ‘huge toll on children, warn MEPs
European parliament’s warning comes as EU authorises use of fourth COVID-19 vaccine.
MEPs lead growing calls for EU to boycott Winter Olympics in Beijing
12 Mar
MEPs lead growing calls for EU to boycott Winter Olympics in Beijing
Demand follows concerns over alleged human rights violations in China, and erosion of democratic autonomy in Hong Kong.