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
European Commission defends Mogherini appointment as College of Europe rector
06 May
European Commission defends Mogherini appointment as College of Europe rector
Critics say the appointment, which is yet to be approved, would constitute a possible conflict of interest since Mogherini has networks in the EU executive.
Lebanon’s Central Bank must not fall victim to Hezbolla Partner Content
06 May
Lebanon’s Central Bank must not fall victim to Hezbolla
With the country in its worst economic crisis in decades, the country stands at a critical political crossroad, writes James Wilson.
Delivering security to citizens in a turbulent world
06 May
Delivering security to citizens in a turbulent world
All European citizens want to feel secure from the growing threats of the modern world; it will be my role to deliver this security, says Ylva Johansson
EU enlargement must happen in tandem with EU reform
06 May
EU enlargement must happen in tandem with EU reform
The prospect of EU membership has been a driver for reforms in Western Balkan countries, now we must ensure that the enlargement process goes hand in hand with the reform of the EU, writes Ilhan Kyuchyuk.
Vestager hopes that European summer tourism season can be salvaged
06 May
Vestager hopes that European summer tourism season can be salvaged
European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager says she still hopes “that the summer is not lost and that we will all get the chance to travel” despite the devastating health crisis.
Afghanistan: a war not to be forgotten, a people to support
06 May
Afghanistan: a war not to be forgotten, a people to support
With the Coronavirus crisis creating havoc around the world, Afghanistan risks disappearing from the international headlines, writes EU High Representative Josep Borrell.
Convergence between technological progress and sustainability is not that obvious
06 May
Convergence between technological progress and sustainability is not that obvious
The coronavirus pandemic, like climate change, teaches us about the importance of mitigating risk to ensure our future prosperity. Should we place all our hopes on technology to deliver this safer future?
Time for a European Health Union
05 May
Time for a European Health Union
The Coronavirus crisis has shown up many shortcomings in Europe’s healthcare systems, which is why we need a better, more coordinated approach, argues César Luena.
Providing security for citizens must be renewed objective for EU
05 May
Providing security for citizens must be renewed objective for EU
In these times of unprecedented crisis, providing security for citizens must be a renewed objective for the EU, writes Juan Fernando López Aguilar.
MEP suggests ‘classification’ system for reopening borders in Europe
05 May
MEP suggests ‘classification’ system for reopening borders in Europe
Belgian deputy Frédérique Ries argued that countries might be classified according to their current rate of infection and mortality.
European Commission raises €7.4 billion in pledges from world leaders to fight Coronavirus
05 May
European Commission raises €7.4 billion in pledges from world leaders to fight Coronavirus
The aim of the online “Coronavirus Global Response” pledging event was to gather significant funding to ensure the development and deployment of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines against COVID-19.
Ahmed Rahhou: Friends and Allies
05 May
Ahmed Rahhou: Friends and Allies
Morocco is looking to develop a fuller partnership with the EU, one that will bring Rabat and Brussels closer together on key strategic issues such as climate change, education, security and mobility, explains Head of Mission to the EU, Ambassador Ahmed Rahhou.
EU High Representative in China censorship row
05 May
EU High Representative in China censorship row
Josep Borrell was grilled by MEPs last week over allegations that China had attempted to influence the results of a key disinformation report on the Coronavirus outbreak. 
Coronavirus: EU’s national leaders must seize the moment
05 May
Coronavirus: EU’s national leaders must seize the moment
Can Europe’s political leaders rise to the challenges of a hostile, post COVID-19 world, asks Friends of Europe's Giles Merritt.
 
A European call to action: Time to invest in strengthening EU’s capacity
05 May
A European call to action: Time to invest in strengthening EU’s capacity
Pro-Europeans need to go on the offensive and ensure Euroscepticism doesn’t gain any ground during the current crisis, argue Seb Dance, John Howarth and Mike Buckley.
EU under fire for response to plight of asylum seekers on Greek islands
04 May
EU under fire for response to plight of asylum seekers on Greek islands
A special online meeting of Parliament’s petitions committee heard there had been a “lack of a coherent response” to the “appalling” conditions facing asylum seekers and refugees during the Coronavirus crisis.
Wearing masks could pose health hazard, says head of EU agency
04 May
Wearing masks could pose health hazard, says head of EU agency
Dr Andrea Ammon told a parliamentary committee that wearing a mask could potentially “endanger” health and “give people a false sense of security.”
Coronavirus: Charities welcome European Parliament’s homeless initiative
04 May
Coronavirus: Charities welcome European Parliament’s homeless initiative
A leading homeless advocacy group in Brussels has given a cautious welcome to assorted practical help offered by the European Parliament for people in need during the pandemic.
Issue 514 | 4 May 2020
04 May
Issue 514 | 4 May 2020
European Parliament President David Sassoli graces this issue’s cover, warning that platitudes about European solidarity are not enough; the EU must prove its worth to citizens by acting in unison.
Coronavirus: A global perspective Partner Content
04 May
Coronavirus: A global perspective
From helping to monitor the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic to the eventual recovery, Earth observation data plays a crucial role, writes Agnieszka Łukaszczyk, Senior Director of European Affairs at Planet.
EU gives Poland two months to act on judicial curbs
30 Apr
EU gives Poland two months to act on judicial curbs
New law for judges undermines country’s judicial independence, says European Commission.
Coronavirus: World must change its relationship with animals, says leading animal welfare group
29 Apr
Coronavirus: World must change its relationship with animals, says leading animal welfare group
Weak sanitary measures and inadequate regulation on global wildlife trade have played critical role in pandemic argues IFAW’s Staci McLennan.
 
Reducing the burden
29 Apr
Reducing the burden
Transport has been one of the hardest hit sectors by the Coronavirus crisis and doesn’t need the additional burden of new EU regulations, argues Marian-Jean Marinescu.
Restarting Europe’s engine
29 Apr
Restarting Europe’s engine
The EU needs a coordinated relief plan for the transport and tourism sectors affected by the Coronavirus crisis, explains Jan-Christoph Oetjen.