The new year started like the old one; with bad news

By Christian Meyer zu Natrup

The Break Up of Britain

Why a post-Scottish independence ‘United Kingdom of Southern Britain and Northern Ireland’ would be one of Europe’s most oddly named and short-lived states.

By Nick Powell

Kazakhstan Elections: Pluralism Became Reality

The extraordinary elections to the Parliament of Kazakhstan didn’t bring any surprises.

By Colin Stevens

€40 Billion export potential with Japan and Korea

As two of the largest economies in the world, these markets offer a wealth of opportunity to European businesses.

By Jurgita Jurksaite

E-Vehicle infrastructure – not just about the vehicle!

So often it is engineering solutions that meet our insatiable demands to ‘push the limits’

By Adrian Harris,

EU / Ukraine agreement - a health warning?

Ukraine’s politicians, even when they can agree on little else, want European integration

By Nick Powell

The mountain magic of Lesotho

Real people, real mountains, real culture

By Colin Stevens

Putin’s Russia: Farwell to Stability!

Pro-Putin and pro-democracy forces are trying to influence the EU position towards the Russian parliamentary elections and beyond.

By Anna Vvedenskaia

Saving Doha (and the WTO)

Without an agreement on Doha, the WTO is in danger of becoming irrelevant

by Dr. Adrian Flint, University of Bristol and Christian Meyer zu Natrup

Kazakhstan encourages as a multi-party democracy.

Kazakhstan is signaling its determination to develop towards Western style democracy

By Colin Stevens

An unknown entity enters the GMO

It causes reproductive failure in cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry

by Jim Gibbons

Civil Society in Palestine: A Force for Change?

Nikki Sinclaire MEP reflects on her recent visit to Gaza

Kazakhstan’s experience:

The former Soviet satellite celebrates 20 years of independence

By Christina Strakhovskaya

The ERASMUS experience

Peter Beckett relives his experience on the ERASMUS programme at a Brussels University, ]]> Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://www.eureporter.co/magazine/251112 http://www.eureporter.co/magazine/201112 Included in this issue:

 Cameron's high-stakes game

The British Prime Minister will have to play his cards carefully or his gamble could backfire.  By Frank Prenesti

What next for Europe

The Euro, and the process of European integration, wasn’t designed for this. By Peter Beckett

Leaders tumble as Euro debt crisis spirals out of control

 What the Greek crisis forever instilled in the European mindset is the sense that someone, somewhere is hiding another skeleton in the closet. By Cristian Gherasim

The Long Way Out of the Crisis

The main task remains restoring confidence in the stability of the financial system and sovereign solvency. by Christian Meyer zu Natrup

Gazprom aims for global consumers

 The plan to bypass the former Soviet Republics in gas exports to Europe takes shape.  By Anna Vvedenskaia

With wind power the EU can cut carbon emissions by 30%

The climate and the economy stand to benefit enormously from wind power’s potential.  By Julian Scola

No to plastics waste in landfills

Solving plastics waste issue on land will be key to solving the marine litter issue.  By Thomas Bauwens

Naturally Arty: Scandinavia

Danish life is grounded in a love of nature: many events are held outside year-round. By Tamara Thiessen

Restructuring the EUROpe   by Christian Meyer zu Natrup

The never-ending debt crisis in the EURO-zone has more to do with the lack of political governance of the common currency than the economic strength underpinning it. 

STILL FEISTY AT FIFTY By Jim GIBBONS

A call for urgent action on climate change  By Anne Stauffer

Reheated European Nationalisms By Christian Gherasim

Europe needs to tone down nationalist rhetoric and recover what hitherto were its biggest assets: multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism.

When the rules are flaunted…people get hurt   By Mark Redgrove

What have the Internal Market and the London riots got in common?

Short-term savings equals long-term problems   by Nikki Sullings

The Gold of the Thracian Warriors -  by Colin Stevens

An exhibition of gold and silver treasures from Bulgaria, paying homage the Bulgaria’s ancestors from Thracia.

Bedding Down in Art  - by Tamara Thiessen

Back to Basics

If the EU really wants to make progress in helping its development partners achieve the Millennium Development Goal of eradicating poverty and hunger, then the health of rural economies should be the yardstick for progress, not GDP.

Shutting out Turkey - A missed opportunity

Instead of alienating Turkey, the EU should get off the fence and acknowledge that enlargement has been EU’s biggest success story to date.

Is the glass half empty or half full?

Is EU regional aid working?   North-west Bulgaria is the poorest part of the entire European Union. It may have a long wait for the infrastructure investment to turn into jobs and prosperity.    

A call to the European Parliament for the a Pact of Islands  

The ISLE-PACT project is committed to developing Local Sustainable Energy Action Plans with the aim of meeting or exceeding the EU sustainability targets of 20/20/20 for the year 2020  

Why discuss Internet Network neutrality?

Over 125 million European households had an Internet connection in their home in 2009, according to European Audiovisual Observatory estimates. But are we all equal before the Internet?  

More powered two-wheelers would ease congestion.

If 10% of car drivers would give up their car for a motorcycle or a scooter, traffic congestion would be reduced by 40%,according to a study performed in one of Belgium’s most congested routes, typical of Europe's densest urban areas.  

Facebook helps adults with Autism to make friends  

Results from a research project have shown that Facebook can be used to help adults with Autism to establish social connections and make friends.   

Improve wellbeing and life satisfaction at an older age  

Music and arts classes have been shown to improve wellbeing and life satisfaction at an older age. Yet formal training does not have the same effect. What is formal training doing wrong?    

Bankers & Bohemians in Zurich 

The Swiss financial capital is undergoing a cultural boom meaning more to do in downtime and more hotel choice.

THE EU AND THE WORLD

ALL CHANGE AT THE IMF

The race to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the helm of the IMF is underway.
Who are the runners and riders?

THE EU's COMMON FOREIGN POLICY - JUST ON PAPER?

What does Europe's reaction to the Libya crisis reveal about Europe's common foreign policy?

SAVING SHENGEN

The rise of the far right and uprisings in North Africa pose a serious threat to passport free travel, but could it be saved by political inaction?

THE EU AT HOME

EUROPE DAY

A definite lack of Europe-Day togetherness.

TIME FOR PLAN B

A coherent and planned restructuring of government debts is the only realistic option.

ILLICIT TOBBACCO A GROWING PROBLEM

Government health initiatives are being thwarted by the increase in illicit trade.

LOBBYING UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN

Recent scandal has shown the EU's proposals to be lacking, and unable protect anyone.

ENERGY ROADMAP

Europe needs news a binding renewables target for 2030.

WHEN THE BEATINGS HAVE TO STOP

Love, fear, there are all sorts of reasons why it's easier to stay with a man.

SOMETHING STINKS IN LONDON AND BRUSSELS

The stench of millions of tonnes of discarded fish thrown overboard.

ARE GREENPEAVE BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

Will European Business Summit demo help or distract from the debate over climate change?

THE EU AND THE EAST

KAZAKHSTAN

The Great Silk Road is open.

UKRAINE

Russia competes with EU "Soft Power"

THE EUROPEAN DIVIDE

Eastern Europe and private property.

The EU at home

The Non-Competitiveness pact

As the crisis in the eurozone continues, have efforts to drive political integration alongside economic integration paid off?

Where next in the debate on lobbying in brussels?

Most industries shy away from regulation, but could it be that EU lobbyists might have more to gain than to lose from legislation?

Enhanced Cooperation Procedure
Ian Phillips takes us on a tour of the enhanced cooperation procedure.
Is it a help or a hinderance for EU integration?

eu enlargement

Bosnia and the EU: The long way ahead
How is EU accession seen in Bosnia? Is the government simply paying lip service to membership?

CROATIA’s EUROPEAN DREAMS AND REALITY
As Croatia gears up for an inevitable referendum on EU membership, how do voters see EU membership? Could the process be derailed?

Young Turks demand clear messages from EU
Gökhan Kurtaran in Istanbul examines how young turks view EU membership.
Are they as eager as we might imagine?

Europe’s Mini Russia?
Serbia’s desire to join the EU is clear to see but could corruption tell a different story?

Going on a date and hoping that nothing happens
Iceland is the latest country to apply for EU membership. In the wake of the banking collapse, has the political will to join increased?

press freedom

Clubbing Together For Media Freedom
As the Brussels Press Club opens in the european capital EU Reporter interviews the man behind the city’s first press club.

A Farce To Be Reckoned With
A look at press freedom in the european parliament. For all their talk, how truly committed to press freedom are the members of the EU’s elected chamber?

A new role in the same old story

EU Reporter interviews the outgoing secretary general of the International Federation of Journalists, Aidan White.

the eu abroad

Let’s get rid of the colon and make everything after it a sub heading
Has DG Development done enough in the fight against HIV aids?
Is it time for a new approach?

The Revolution of rising expectations
What have economics played in the ‘Arab Spring’? A look at economic policy against a backdrop of dictators and democracy.

Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?
The role of Russia in Eastern European and EU energy policy.

THE EU AT HOME

CONUNDRUMS AND CLARITY
David Cameron has come out in support of a “muscular liberalism” but, as Frank Prenesti explains, things aren’t that easy.

EU CONSUMER LAW: REDRAWING THE MAPS
A look at the Consumer Rights Directive currently pending. Does it protect consumers or could they fi nd themselves worse off?

A COMIC BOOK FARRAGO OR A REAL PARLIAMENT?
What exactly within the walls the European parliament? Our man in Brussels investigates.

LEGAL ACTION FOR ACCESS TO FTA DOCUMENTS
A new legal action challenges the EU’s relationship with corporate interests. A look at how it came to this.

BUILDING ON SAND
Is the Belgian political crisis an interesting sideshow or a sign of things to come for the EU?

THE TWO-TIER THINKING OF HERMAN VAN ROMPUY
The ever outspoken Nigel Farage MEP on the future (or lack thereof) of Europe.

CRISIS IN BRUSSELS
The European capital has a darker side hidden from view of EU offi cials. Gary Cartwright takes us there.

FINANCE

NO WAY AROUND IT
An analysis of the sovereign debt crisis that comes to some rather controversial conclusions.

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

EU ENERGY POLICY LEFT AT STANDSTILL AFTER ENERGY SUMMIT
Rebecca Harms, co-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament asseses the outcome of the recent EU energy summit.

EU DEVELOPMENT POLICY: PRIORITISING FOOD SECURITY
In the wake of the emerging food crisis, a look at the problems with the EU’s development policy.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

TIME FOR ACTION
What role can the EU play in the Middle East after Mubarak? A view of the challenges and opportunities for EU foreign policy.

THE EAST AND THE WEST
Bulgarian MEP Emil Stoyanov provides his insights on the state of East - West relations.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR
Our man from across the pond provides examines what happens now that the republicans are in a position of power once more.

Finance

Ploughing a familiar furrow
British Prime Minister David Cameron finds himself caught between his euroskeptic back bench and a pro European coalition partner. How is he faring at walking the line between the two?

Four Lessons From The Bailouts
What should Europe’s politics of financial distress teach us?

Estonia Leaps into the great unkown
As Estonia joins the Eurozone at a particularly awkward time in the currency’s history, can the risk pay off?

The EU at home

Saving To Spend
Does the Commission’s axing of a multi-million TV contract signal belt tightening in the institution or a classic case of misdirection?

Chronic diseases – the growing tumours on European healthcare budgets
A look at the impact of chronic disease on the public purse and the European economy as a whole. Can EU leadership change things for the better?

Life After Berlusconi
What comes next for Italy? Should Berlusconi leave power, is the country ready to replace him?

A Signpost Down A Familiar European Road
Hungary’s Media Consttitution has managed to overshadow the country’s presidency so far. Time for an EU-wide debate on press freedom perhaps?

The Treaty of Lisbon – the demise of comitology and its practicalities?
Ian Phillips explains what the Treaty of Lisbon means for comitology.

Poland Takes Its Time
Is Poland ready to take over the Presidency of the EU later this year or would its efforts be put to better use domestically?

2011 – EU Under Hungarian and Polish Leadership
Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the ALDE in the European Parliament outlines what believes the top priorities ought to be for the 2011 presidencies.

Stem cells at the ECJ – The birth of something new?
Looks at how the current case on stem cell patentability might change the European patent landscape and argues for a radical overhaul of the patent system as a whole.

External Relations

Independent Journalism – The Greatest Opposition to Dictatorship
A look at the recent presidential election in Belarus that highlights the role of the press in the opposition to Alexandr Lukashenko.

Development Policy and climate change
Explores the link between development policy and climate change and argues that greater aid is needed if we wish to combat climate change on all fronts.

Anything but Black and White
Independent Ukranian Member of Parliament Alexander Feldman argues that recent developments in Ukraine are an opportunity not a threat for Europe

The Politics of fear what are we becoming?
Our regular comment from across the pond looks at how the divisive political scene in the US is damaging community cohesion.

FINANCE

DOES SOCIAL EUROPE HAVE A FUTURE?
Does the new age of austerity spell the end for social Europe and does it even serve a purpose anymore?

THE IRISH BAILOUT AND EUROPEAN STABILITY MECHANISM
Has the EU learned the right lessons from Greece? Christian Meyer zu Natrup asks the question and examines the European Stability Mechanism

PAYING FOR THE SINS OF OTHERS
A look at the euro crisis from across the pond. Has the single currency been undermined by its own champions?

THE EU AT HOME

“AUF SUBVENTIONEN!”
As Germany toasts alcohol subsidies, are alcohol manufacturers in the rest of the EU being left to deal with the hangover?

STARFLEET COMMAND
Who exactly defi nes the EU’s image on the world stage? It would appear that it’s the last people the EU would want doing its PR.

LIBERAL INTERPRETATIONS
A look at the liberal movers and shakers in the EU. Do they have all that much in common other than the word they use to describe themselves?

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

ASTANA SUMMIT – OSCE RESULTS
Charles Harper examines exactly what was acheived at the OSCE summit in Astana and highlights some obstacles Kazakhstan must still overcome.

EU DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
A look at the EU’s development partnerships, that asks whether some are more equal than others.

IS EXCESSIVE SUMMITRY INDEED DIPLOMACY?
An examination of the EU’s summit culture. Are summits nothing more than pomp and circumstance or do they still play a real role in diplomacy?

PAT DOWN, OK, BUT DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO TOUCH ME THERE?
Our man in the US explains controversial

GRIDS 2010 SPECIAL REPORTS

WHY DOES THE EU NEED A GRID?
This special report from the EWEA’s Grids conference explains the importance of a pan-European energy grid.

A SINGLE EUROPEAN GRID
A special report from Grids 2010 in Berlin that examines the challenges faced by network operators in their quest to build a single European energy grid.

POWERING EUROPE’S FUTURE?
A review of the EWEA’s report on wind energy and the electricity grid.