European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
International Relations
Culture in EU-US relations
Written by Ivana Katsarova, North America and Europe dominate the global trade in cultural goods. Together they account for 49 % of exports and 62 % of imports. However, there is a significant cultural divide between the EU and USA, which is reflected in contrasting policy approaches towards culture. Under the 2005 Unesco Convention – not signed … Continue reading
US development policy: New priorities under President Trump
Written by Michael Kaczmarek with Graham Scott, The new administration of US President Donald Trump has put forward an ‘America First’ vision in the field of development policy. In his 2018 budget proposal, President Trump requests the US Congress to scale back and refocus US political commitments and financial contributions in the areas of economic … Continue reading
The European Council in 2016: Overview of decisions and discussions
Written by Suzana Elena Anghel Gavrilescu, Izabela Cristina Bacian, Ralf Drachenberg and Susanna Tenhunen, The European Council held five formal meetings in 2016. The analysis of the conclusions of the debates shows that it dedicated 50 % of its attention to migration. The two other main topics were foreign and security policy; and economic governance, competitiveness, … Continue reading
Blue economy in Africa: initiatives, prospects and issues
Written by Eric Pichon and Anne Vernet, Harnessing the oceans’ resources in a sustainable manner is the ‘new frontier of the African renaissance’ according to the African Union (AU). This ‘blue growth’ will only be achieved if ocean’s health and security at sea are won back. The AU has designed an ambitious maritime strategy, but … Continue reading
Russia and security [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Relations between the European Union and Russia remain strained after the EU extended its sanctions against the country late in June until 31 January 2018, citing a lack of progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements aimed to end of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its conflict … Continue reading
The G20 Summit in Hamburg: Key issues
Written by Elena Lazarou, On 7-8 July 2017, the 12th Summit of Heads of State or Government of the Group of Twenty (G20) will take place in Hamburg, Germany. Besides traditional G20 issues, with an emphasis on financial regulation, the focus is on climate and trade protectionism in light of policies recently adopted by the … Continue reading
Helmut Kohl, citizen of Europe
Written by Philippe Perchoc, Helmut Kohl died on 16 June 2017 at the age of 87. The father of German reunification and a strong supporter of European integration, he leaves a long-lasting legacy. A European ceremony of honour is planned for the former Chancellor and Honorary Citizen of Europe, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, … Continue reading
Trade flows: animated infographic
Written by Krisztina Binder, Laura Puccio, Giulio Sabbati. ‘Every man lives by exchanging’, said philosopher and economist Adam Smith in the late 18th century. Indeed, trade has historically played a significant role in a country’s economy. In today’s globalised world, trade is a major tool in state policies to ensure economic growth and more jobs. A country’s success … Continue reading
The EU and China [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The European Union and China made limited progress towards improving bilateral ties at their summit in early June, and they remain at odds over a number of controversial trade issues. However, analysts say the EU and China look poised to strengthen cooperation on fighting climate change, especially after the new US … Continue reading
Turkey: Economic indicators and trade with EU
Written by Philippe Perchoc and Giulio Sabbati (both EPRS), In cooperation with Caterina Francesca Guidi (from GlobalStat | EUI), The EU is Turkey’s number one trading partner, and Turkey the EU’s fifth trading partner – and the only one with which the EU has concluded a custom union. Turkish growth remains strong (4% in 2015 … Continue reading
Côte d’Ivoire: bright economic prospects overshadowed by recent instability
Written by Ionel Zamfir, On 14 June 2017, the European Parliament will welcome Côte d’Ivoire’s President, Alassane Ouattara, who will address the Plenary. Alassane Ouatarra will be the first African president to visit the EP during President Antonio Tajani’s term of office. President Tajani, in a speech on the state of the Union delivered in May, the, emphasised that ‘we … Continue reading
Qatar: Rising tension in the Gulf
Written by Beatrix Immenkamp, On 5 June 2017, several Arab nations, including Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), simultaneously announced that they were severing ties with Qatar, a fellow member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Accusing Qatar of supporting and financing ‘terrorism and extremism’ in the region, the above countries … Continue reading
Transatlantic relations under the Trump administration
Written by Elena Lazarou, Over four months into the Trump Presidency, several analysts concur that it is still difficult to make sense of President Trump’s ‘Europe policy’ and, consequently, to forecast the course of transatlantic relations under the Trump administration. The issues that currently occupy the media tend to be those on which the divergence … Continue reading
Australia: Economic indicators and trade with the EU
Written by Krisztina Binder and Giulio Sabbati (both EPRS), In cooperation with Caterina Francesca Guidi (from GlobalStat | EUI), Australia is one of the most prosperous countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It has a strong and dynamic relationship with the EU, and negotiations for a free trade agreement between Australia and the EU are expected … Continue reading
How the EU budget is spent: Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II)
Written by Martin Svasek, The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) supports countries that are candidates or potential candidates for EU membership. The support goes towards measures aiming at adopting and implementing the political, institutional, legal, administrative, social and economic reforms required to comply with the Union’s values and to align progressively with the Union’s rules, … Continue reading
The EU and terrorism [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Terrorist attacks in major cities – notably in Paris, Nice, Brussels, Berlin and, most recently, Manchester – have shocked Europeans, highlighting the security challenges for open democracies that result, inter alia, from conflicts in the Middle East and Africa and religious radicalisation at home. In response, the European Union is pushing … Continue reading
The state of transatlantic relations as President Trump visits Europe
Written by Monika Nogaj with Jessica Parks, On 25 May 2017, US President Donald Trump attends the NATO Summit in Brussels, as well as meeting with top EU officials, including the Presidents of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, European Council, Donald Tusk, and European Parliament, Antonio Tajani. The following day, he will attend the G7 … Continue reading
The second Forum on Financing for Development
Written by Eric Pichon, From 22 to 25 May, the United Nations headquarters in New York will host the second Forum on Financing for Development (FfD forum). This event will gather a variety of stakeholders: governments, local authorities, civil society organisations and international institutions. FfD forums are part of the follow-up process agreed in 2015 … Continue reading
NATO and EU defence [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The US President, Donald Trump, will meet with the other leaders of the NATO member states at a summit in Brussels on 25 May 2017. Among issues on the table are the new US Administration’s commitment to Europe’s security, and the levels of military spending in Europe, which Washington considers too … Continue reading
António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General: a strong reformist agenda in difficult times
Written by Ionel Zamfir, The election António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres became the new Secretary-General (SG) of the United Nations on 1 January 2017, following an election process that was unprecedentedly transparent, including public debates with the ten candidates. His election raised much hope that he would be able to tackle the difficult challenges confronting … Continue reading
