Sánchez walks a tightrope as Spain commits to NATO target
08 May Foreign & Security Policy

Sánchez walks a tightrope as Spain commits to NATO target

With Spain pledging to spend 2% of its GDP on defence, PM Pedro Sánchez faces scepticism as he stretches the definition of military spending. Around Europe, not everyone is impressed.
by Arno Van Rensbergen
Op-ed: Europe can defend its liberal democracy if it reclaims common ground
09 May Foreign & Security Policy
Op-ed: Europe can defend its liberal democracy if it reclaims common ground
Russian gas phaseout: Why going cold turkey is easier said than done
07 May EU Institutions
Russian gas phaseout: Why going cold turkey is easier said than done
Op-ed: EU's Russian speakers are an opportunity, not a risk
07 May Culture & Arts
Op-ed: EU's Russian speakers are an opportunity, not a risk
Senior MEPs criticise European Commission’s handling of EU vaccines rollout
04 Feb
Senior MEPs criticise European Commission’s handling of EU vaccines rollout
However, it would be a mistake to dispute that the bloc would be better off not without a common EU strategy, argues Greens/EFA Group co-leader Philippe Lamberts.
Making the case for green hydrogen
04 Feb
Making the case for green hydrogen
The development of green hydrogen and renewable energy capacities are key to achieving the EU’s goal of cutting CO2 emissions by 60 percent by 2030, writes Damien Carême.
Paving the way to climate neutrality
04 Feb
Paving the way to climate neutrality
Renewable hydrogen can make an important contribution to the energy transition, but the EU needs to develop a sustainable hydrogen economy to make it competitive, writes Jens Geier.
World Cancer Day: The fight against cancer is both a national and EU-level priority
04 Feb
World Cancer Day: The fight against cancer is both a national and EU-level priority
Every EU citizen should have the right to high-quality cancer diagnosis, care and treatment, irrespective of which country they come from, says senior Slovenian MEP Tanja Fajon.
World Cancer Day: The lasting impacts of the pandemic on cancer services will linger far beyond the COVID-19 vaccination rollout
04 Feb
World Cancer Day: The lasting impacts of the pandemic on cancer services will linger far beyond the COVID-19 vaccination rollout
How many cancer patients have fallen through the cracks undiagnosed, or have suffered late diagnosis out of fear of COVID, asks Irish MEP Barry Andrews.
World Cancer Day: Europe’s ‘Beating Cancer Plan’ can change the future of millions of families, argues Dolors Montserrat
04 Feb
World Cancer Day: Europe’s ‘Beating Cancer Plan’ can change the future of millions of families, argues Dolors Montserrat
The current pandemic should not make policymakers lose sight of the fight against cancer, says Spanish MEP.
EESC chief signals fresh start for ‘voice of EU civil society’
03 Feb
EESC chief signals fresh start for ‘voice of EU civil society’
The EESC is “more relevant than ever” at a time of growing populism and anti-EU rhetoric, says President Christa Schweng in an interview with Martin Banks.
Abu Dhabi looks to drive clean energy post-COVID Partner Content
03 Feb
Abu Dhabi looks to drive clean energy post-COVID
However, the Emirate still sees a future for oil and gas as part of the country’s cleaner energy mix, writes Sara Stefanini.
Commission says 12 million people in Europe so far vaccinated against Coronavirus
03 Feb
Commission says 12 million people in Europe so far vaccinated against Coronavirus
The latest figure, given to this site by the Commission late on Tuesday, covers all the 27 Member States in the EU, with an overall population of 450 million.
The pharmaceutical industry can be the catalyst for a sustainable and resilient healthcare system in Greece Partner Content
03 Feb
The pharmaceutical industry can be the catalyst for a sustainable and resilient healthcare system in Greece
SFEE and its member companies are committed to ensuring the sustainability of our healthcare systems by breaking barriers and silos and working together with policymakers to deliver outcomes to patients, society and the national economy, writes Olympios Papadimitriou.
Von der Leyen should consider resigning over vaccine rollout ‘shambles’, says Gunnar Beck
02 Feb
Von der Leyen should consider resigning over vaccine rollout ‘shambles’, says Gunnar Beck
The German Identity and Democracy Group MEP’s comments come with pressure mounting on the Commission President over what is widely seen as a particularly slow response to the vaccination programme.
One year on and citizens are still paying the price of Brexit
01 Feb
One year on and citizens are still paying the price of Brexit
One year on, what has become of the UK government’s promise that it would not make citizens pay the price of Brexit, asks Else Kvist.
Commission says all pharma companies except AstraZeneca delivered correct number of vaccine doses
01 Feb
Commission says all pharma companies except AstraZeneca delivered correct number of vaccine doses
The executive is still embroiled in a bitter row with AstraZeneca over claims that the Anglo-Swedish company has not fulfilled the terms of its contract with the EU by drastically cutting the number of doses it said it would supply.
Probe launched into Frontex over alleged rights violations
01 Feb
Probe launched into Frontex over alleged rights violations
A working group led by MEPs in the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee will probe recent alleged violations of fundamental rights against the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
German Greens MEP calls for quick phase-out of nuclear energy
01 Feb
German Greens MEP calls for quick phase-out of nuclear energy
Jutta Paulus was speaking at an online event focusing on safety issues surrounding the construction of new nuclear reactor plants in Belarus, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
Issue 529 | 1 February 2021
29 Jan
Issue 529 | 1 February 2021
Gracing the cover this issue is Loucas Fourlas, Chair of the MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) Interest Group. The Cypriot EPP deputy tells Jon Benton and Ana Gallego what drives him in his fight against cancer, his campaign to help those affected and of his own personal tragedy.
AstraZeneca COVID vaccine contract to be made public
29 Jan
AstraZeneca COVID vaccine contract to be made public
It emerged on Friday that the pharmaceutical company has agreed to publish the deal signed with the European Commission.
European Defence Agency: defence spending hit a “new high” in 2019
29 Jan
European Defence Agency: defence spending hit a “new high” in 2019
The agency has published its annual "Defence Data" report, detailing defence spending by the 26 EDA Member States.
Vaping is the gateway out of smoking Partner Content
29 Jan
Vaping is the gateway out of smoking
Recent trends framing e-cigarettes as a gateway to smoking do not stand up to scrutiny, write the Consumer Choice Center’s Maria Chaplia and World Vapers’ Alliance’s Michael Landl.
Commission insists ‘we can and will’ obtain doses of AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine
28 Jan
Commission insists ‘we can and will’ obtain doses of AstraZeneca Coronavirus vaccine
This is despite the Anglo-Swedish company telling the EU to expect a huge reduction - up to 60 percent - of the doses originally agreed between the two sides.
EU cannot ‘fast track’ Coronavirus vaccine authorisation like UK, admits senior EU official
28 Jan
EU cannot ‘fast track’ Coronavirus vaccine authorisation like UK, admits senior EU official
Despite a high death toll, the UK has been widely applauded for rolling out vaccines to millions of Britons while the vast majority of Europeans are still waiting for their first jab.
Michel Barnier says EU ‘managed to hold its nerve’ in reaching eleventh-hour Brexit deal
28 Jan
Michel Barnier says EU ‘managed to hold its nerve’ in reaching eleventh-hour Brexit deal
Barnier, formerly head of the EU’s Brexit negotiating team, also warned that the EU would be “extremely vigilant” in making sure that the UK sticks by the terms of the agreement.
MEPs up in arms as Polish near-total abortion ban takes effect despite mass protests
28 Jan
MEPs up in arms as Polish near-total abortion ban takes effect despite mass protests
The ruling, which came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, will mean that the only grounds for accessing an abortion in the country will be in the case of rape, incest, or if there is a threat to the mother’s life.
Stimulating creativity as a structured process to foster sustainable innovation in SMEs Partner Content
28 Jan
Stimulating creativity as a structured process to foster sustainable innovation in SMEs
The CreaInnovation Project, an EU Interreg MED project has been looking at how to stimulate innovation through creative thinking.