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
Azerbaijani MP condemns violent attacks on diplomatic missions and embassies in the US and Belgium by members of Armenian Diaspora Partner Content
04 Aug
Azerbaijani MP condemns violent attacks on diplomatic missions and embassies in the US and Belgium by members of Armenian Diaspora
Despite recent events, we remain ready to cooperate with Armenia to strengthen humanitarian-confidence building measures if it gives up its policy of occupation, says Azerbaijan MP Könül Nurullayeva.
European Parliament mourns loss of former MEP and Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume
03 Aug
European Parliament mourns loss of former MEP and Nobel Peace Prize laureate John Hume
Former UK Socialist MEP John Hume, described by some as “the Nelson Mandela of Irish politics”, has died after a short illness aged 83.
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
03 Aug
Small EU businesses voice ‘major concerns’ over lack of progress in ongoing Brexit talks
The comments come with formal talks between the EU and UK set to resume in Brussels on 17 August.
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
31 Jul
David Frost says despite difficulties, Brexit trade deal can still be reached in autumn
UK’s chief negotiator suggests there are ‘large areas of convergence’ on negotiation areas.
EU defends decision to reject Polish town twinning grant applications after cities declare themselves LGBTI-free zones
31 Jul
EU defends decision to reject Polish town twinning grant applications after cities declare themselves LGBTI-free zones
European equality commissioner, Helena Dalli says EU values and rights ‘must be respected’.
Ushering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
31 Jul
Ushering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
An autonomous, secure and resilient European 5G network is within the EU’s reach, writes Josianne Cutajar.
CCS: why it can only be a transition technology
30 Jul
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.
EU and UK strike conciliatory tone over possibility of Brexit trade deal being struck by autumn
30 Jul
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.
EU recovery plan an opportunity to restructure Europe
29 Jul
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.
A sea change in fisheries
29 Jul
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.
Assessing the new geopolitical landscape
28 Jul
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.
Senior MEP urges Member States to ensure that delayed Conference on Future of Europe starts in September
28 Jul
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.”
European Commission could cut EU funds to countries violating rule of law
28 Jul
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.
Scotland & the EU: Auld acquaintances
28 Jul
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.
Defending the Defenceless: Pakistan’s Rural Support Network takes the lead Partner Content
28 Jul
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.
EU policymakers condemn Poland over withdrawal from Istanbul Convention
27 Jul
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.
MEPs warn their consent to EU long-term budget ‘cannot be taken for granted’
27 Jul
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.
Wolves in sheep’s clothing Partner Content
27 Jul
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.
EU recovery plan agreed at a “sour price”
24 Jul
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.
MEPs set to battle to overturn proposed cuts to EU’s long-term budget
23 Jul
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.
Last chance saloon for Brexit trade deal as Barnier brands it ‘unlikely’
23 Jul
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.
Pandemic, infodemic and disinformation Partner Content
23 Jul
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.
S&D leader: Next seven-year EU budget falls short of what’s needed
23 Jul
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.
America and Europe: united despite diversity
23 Jul
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.