European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
International Relations
Modernisation of the trade pillar of the EU-Chile Association Agreement [International Agreements in Progress]
In November 2017, the EU and Chile launched negotiations on a modernised trade pillar of the 2002 EU-Chile Association Agreement, based on a Council negotiating mandate which is the first-ever to have been published prior to the start of negotiations with a view to enhancing transparency and inclusiveness. Continue reading
EU support for human rights defenders around the world
Twenty years after the UN General Assembly adopted its Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) to enhance recognition of their role and encourage states to create a more protective environment, many human rights defenders still face significant threats, and the situation of those working in certain areas has even deteriorated. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: EU support for democracy and peace in the world [Policy Podcast]
Strengthening peace and democracy globally has never been an easy task, however, and today’s geopolitical context poses new challenges. Continue reading
A new association of the Overseas Countries and Territories (including Greenland) with the European Union [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 14 June 2018, in preparation for the new multiannual financial framework (2021 to 2027 MFF), the European Commission published a proposal for a Council decision on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories, including Greenland, with the European Union. Continue reading
Cybersecurity [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Cybersecurity was back in the spotlight earlier in October, when several Western countries issued a coordinated denunciation of Russia, accusing it of running a global hacking campaign. Moscow denied the allegations. Continue reading
From post-truth to post-trust?
Is the ‘very concept of objective truth’ fading out of the world, as George Orwell wrote in his Homage to Catalonia in the 1930s? Or is truth even ‘dead’, as Time magazine asked in 2017? Can we draw clear lines between objective facts, spin and lies? What are the consequences of ‘truth decay’ for trust, democracy and multilateralism? Continue reading
The US mid-term elections of November 2018
The forthcoming mid-term elections in the United States, to be held on 6 November 2018, are likely to offer a closely watched political verdict on the first two years of Donald Trump’s presidency. Continue reading
Computational propaganda techniques
The techniques used by anti-democratic state and non-state actors to disrupt or influence democratic processes are constantly evolving. The use of algorithms, automation and artificial intelligence is boosting the scope and the efficiency of disinformation campaigns and related cyber-activities. Continue reading
The EU and Asia [What Think Tanks are thinking]
This note offers links to selected recent commentaries, studies and reports from major international think-tanks on EU-Asian relations, the situation in the region and some of its countries. The publication does not cover issues related to China, which were the topic of one of the previous editions in the series. Continue reading
EU-Singapore trade and investment agreements close in on conclusion [International Agreements in Progress]
On 18 April 2018, the European Commission proposed to the Council of the EU to sign and conclude two agreements with Singapore. Continue reading
A new neighbourhood, development and international cooperation instrument: Proposal for a new regulation [EU Legislation in Progress]
In the context of the Commission’s proposal for a multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the 2021-2027 period, the Commission published a proposal for a regulation establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) on 14 June 2018. Continue reading
China [What Think Tanks are thinking]
China is a major strategic partner for the European Union, despite divergences on human rights issues, as well as on some economic and foreign policies. Continue reading
What if blockchain were to be truly decentralised? [Scientific and Technology Podcast]
Technological systems, once introduced in a particular socio-economic context, often evolve in unforeseen ways and may fall prey to unexpected power relations. Continue reading
ASEP10 gives priority to climate change
The 10th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Meeting (ASEP10) will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels on 27 and 28 September 2018. The meeting will focus on climate change and environmental challenges. The final declaration will be transmitted to the 12th ASEM Summit, to be held in Brussels on 18 and 19 October 2018. Continue reading
Russia [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The policies of President Vladimir Putin, who was re-elected earlier this year, pose a dilemma for the European Union and the United States, with some observers accusing him of trying to sabotage Western liberal democracy and others saying that he wants to regain the position of global player that the Soviet Union once occupied. Continue reading
EU trade with Latin America and the Caribbean: Overview and figures
Growing geopolitical rivalry, escalating trade tensions between the United States and China (both big players in Latin America and the Caribbean – LAC) and a US trade policy shifting away from a multilateral towards a bilateral approach based on ‘America First’, have created uncertainty in this part of the world. Continue reading
International Day of Democracy, 15 September
As a community of like-minded states, the EU is based on certain fundamental values, such as democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The Union strives to realise these both internally and externally, and they guide all its policies Continue reading
Digital technology in elections: Efficiency versus credibility?
Digital technology brings greater efficiency in many walks of life, and elections are no exception. Online databases hugely facilitate the task of creating and managing accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls. In less developed countries, whose citizens often lack reliable identity documents, biometric technology can help to identify voters, thus preventing fraud in the form of multiple voting. Continue reading
President Trump’s trade and international policies [What Think Tanks are thinking]
US President Donald Trump has pushed ahead in recent months with his controversial policies on trade and defence, which critics say could undermine the global rules-based order and create new uncertainties. Continue reading
The Privacy Shield: Update on the state of play of the EU-US data transfer rules
The CJEU’s Schrems judgment of October 2015, besides declaring the European Commission’s Decision on the EU-US ‘Safe Harbour’ data transfer regime invalid, has also settled a number of crucial requirements corresponding to the foundations of EU data protection. In less than one year from the CJEU ruling, the Commission had adopted a new adequacy decision in which the new framework for EU-US data transfer, the Privacy Shield (2016), is deemed to adequately protect EU citizens. The main improvements of the Privacy Shield (over its predecessor), as well as the critical reactions to the new arrangements, are discussed in this paper. The first joint annual review took place in September 2017 on which both the Commission and Article 29 Working Party issued their own reports. Although progress is recognised, a number of concerns remain and new challenges to the Privacy Shield have arisen, among others, from the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica scandal, as pointed out by the European Parliament in its recent resolution. Continue reading
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