European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
what think tanks are thinking
North Korea [What Think Tanks are thinking]
North Korea has stepped up its nuclear plans with the underground detonation of a hydrogen bomb and tests of its first suspected Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs), moves perceived as a major threat to global security. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on 19 September, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “totally destroy” North Korea if the United States is forced to defend itself or its allies against that country. Continue reading
The State of the Union [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, laid out his vision of the European Union in his annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 13 September 2017. He noted that the overall outlook has changed for the better over the past year, notably thanks to an accelerating economic recovery. ‘The wind is back in the European sails,’ he declared. Continue reading
Brexit negotiations [What Think Tanks are thinking]
This note offers links to recent commentaries and reports published by major international think tanks and other organisations on EU-UK negotiations and on the implications of Brexit more widely. Continue reading
Ukraine and the EU [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Relations between the European Union and Ukraine have been improving since the Maidan protests ousted President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014, leading to the election a pro-Western Petro Poroshenko as Head of State. At their meeting on 12-13 July, EU and Ukraine leaders welcomed the completion of the ratification of the EU-Ukraine … Continue reading
Euro area recovery and reform [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The euro area’s economic recovery has gained pace as investor confidence has strengthened. The election of the reform-minded Emmanuel Macron as French President in May reignited the debate on overhauling the euro area’s economic governance. This note offers links to recent commentaries and studies on the economic situation of the euro … 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
Migration into the EU [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, At the European Council meeting of 23 June 2017, European Union Heads of State or Government agreed to strengthen efforts to reduce irregular migration flows on the central Mediterranean route, notably by speeding up training, equipping the Libyan coast guard and improving cooperation with countries of migration origin. However, the European … Continue reading
Start of Brexit negotiations [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Formal negotiations on the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union under Article 50 TEU got under way on 19 June, as both sides agreed in principle how to organise the talks and underlined their mutual goodwill. The talks began nearly a year after the U.K. referendum to leave the EU … 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
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 digital economy in the EU [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The digital revolution is reshaping the European Union’s economy, from financial services and telecoms to creative industries and the way workers are employed. While posing certain threats, such as cyber-attacks, new technologies offer vast opportunities, provided that people acquire the right skill-sets to underpin their use. Seeking to tap the full … 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
EU social policies [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, On 26 April, the European Commission presented a European Pillar of Social Rights, which is a package of legislative proposals and recommendations aimed at enhancing work-life balance, fostering equal opportunities and better access to the labour market, as well as improving working conditions. Under the proposal, for example, new fathers would … Continue reading
ECB policies [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The European Central Bank is pushing ahead with its monetary stimulus programme, which was launched more than two years ago to counter deflationary pressures in the euro zone economy, and to strengthen then fragile economic growth. Some economists and politicians say the time is becoming ripe for the ECB to taper … Continue reading
Brexit negotiations [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, has called an early general election on 8 June 2017, arguing that victory for her party would ‘strengthen her hand’ in negotiations on the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. In March, her government launched the formal procedure for leaving the Union, by triggering … Continue reading
The European Union at 60 [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Heads of State or Government of the EU-27 marked the 60th anniversary of the European Union’s founding Treaty of Rome on 25 March 2017, with pledges to seek closer unity, improve internal and external security, boost economic growth and employment, reduce social inequalities and bolster the bloc’s global role. Their Rome … Continue reading
International trade [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, The election of Donald Trump, who favours a bilateral over multilateral approach to international economic relations, as U.S. President may herald the end of an era of progressive liberalisation in global trade since the Second World War. At their meeting in March, finance ministers of the G20 group of major economies … Continue reading
Turkey and the EU [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Relations between Turkey and the European Union have been strained for some time, and most recently, Ankara became embroiled in a diplomatic spat with Germany and the Netherlands, following decisions in both countries to prevent Turkish ministers from addressing rallies of expatriate Turks. On 16 April, the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip … Continue reading
The Western Balkans and the EU [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, European Union heads of state and government reiterated support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans at their meeting on 9 March, and underlined that the situation in the region was fragile due to internal and external challenges. Despite relatively good economic growth prospects, the Western Balkans’ reform progress has … Continue reading
Euro-area reforms: Challenges and policies [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, Reforms to the system of governance of the euro area, launched in the wake of the 2008-09 financial crisis, have included, inter alia, the creation of authorities to better supervise the financial markets, improved mechanisms to coordinate fiscal policies, and procedures to correct economic imbalances. While the drive to overhaul the … Continue reading
