Tsipras doesn’t seem to have learned his “almost Grexit” lesson and Greece faces again financial and political dead end

The teleconference of the EuroWorking Group which took place yesterday is the forerunner of the extraordinary meeting of the Finance Ministers of the Eurozone on May 9 where Greece’s programme review is about to be discussed. The outcome was, as expected, disappointing regarding the agreement between the two sides on the package of basic and […]

To Brexit or not to Brexit: British exceptionalism doesn’t allow any Obama telling Brits what to do

Barack Obama visited the UK last week clearly in an attempt to boost the “Remain” campaign urging Britain to stay within the EU. This move has not yet been exactly measured as beneficial or not for David Cameron’s campaign but has certainly caused several reactions to the British voters about two months before the referendum. The […]

Vestager vs. Google: a fight to ensure a competitive innovation framework

The EU Consumer and Competition Day took place yesterday in Amsterdam with Margrethe Vestager to reveal her will to charge Google for exploiting consumers by pre-installing Android apps on their smartphones. European Commission (EC) is showing its teeth once again, after Microsoft antitrust case a decade ago, against giant tech companies which are finding ways […]

Can Greece’s devastating economy deal with the migration crisis?

The European Commission’s assessment on the Action Plan where Greece describes how to cope with migration deficiencies regarding its external border control reveal that the Southern country has shown remarkable improvement but there are still many points that need to be addressed and improved. What is more, the Commission made clear on yesterday’s press release […]

Will Cameron succeed in keeping UK inside the EU and reverse the present economic downturn?

Markit released yesterday its Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Services Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) which rose to 53.7 in March showing that the UK services growth has only slightly increased compared to February’s 52.7. Also, the first quarter of this year was characterized by Markit analysts as the weakest in terms of output […]

Will the European Court of Justice change data privacy laws to tackle terrorism?

The next European Court of Justice (ECJ) meeting will take place on April 12 regarding the breaching of human rights by the massive interception of communication data. This hearing is very crucial as it is probable that the EU judges will decide to cut down on the power of UK surveillance laws since ECJ’s rulings are binding on UK courts […]

Brussels terrorist attacks: Schengen in danger once again while leaders gather Europe’s multiple broken pieces

The terrorist attacks that took place yesterday in Brussels have devastated not only Europe but also the rest of the world. The heart of Europe was hit in a very harsh way by the Islamic State. These tragic events in Brussels airport and metro station have caused the lives of so far 34 people and […]

Migration crisis update: What are the chances of a fair deal at this EU Summit?

Everyone in Europe is putting all his money for the migration crisis ‘gamble’ on the EU-Turkey summit taking place this week on March 17-18 in Brussels. The 28 EU leaders had a bit more than a week now since the last summit to evaluate the proposals of the Turkish side and return to the table of negotiations in order to make a […]

EU should invest more in climate and not sit back on its laurels and watch

Miguel Arias Cañete European Commission

The European Commission convened last Friday to discuss an assessment report about the implementation process of the COP21 Paris agreement which was adopted last December. Environment ministers teamed up and held a public debate only to conclude to what was already known; that the climate agreement must be followed and signed at the New York UN Headquarters in […]

Spending another 3 billion euros on Turkey feels better than admitting EU’s failure

The migration summit which took place yesterday in Brussels between the 28 EU leaders and the Prime Minister of Turkey was a surprise. The reason is that Ahmet Davutoglou came to the meeting with specific proposals which are able to allow Turkey to take the upper hand and take advantage of the refugee crisis to better […]

Does Draghi have another ace up his sleeve given his Quantitative Easing failure?

Last Monday Eurostat, the statistical service of the European Union, released a flash estimate for euro area annual inflation revealing a -0,2% inflation rate for February. The latter has worried the European Central Bank’s (ECB) officials and especially its president Mario Draghi. ECB’s Governing Council meeting which is taking place next week will have to reconsider […]

Migration crisis update: The “Habsburg Empire” comes back to life while EU loses control

It is today that Austria is arbitrarily hosting a Western Balkan counties migration meeting called “Managing Migration Together” where the Interior and Foreign ministers of seven countries (Albania, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia) have been invited to participate, with Greece, the main migrant gate, to be paradoxically excluded from the discussions. […]

Better late than never? Commission runs now to fight energy dependency on Russia with the sustainable energy security package

Maros Sefcovic Canete European Commission Energy

It was last Tuesday when the Commission launched a set of measures to increase energy security in the European Union. The executive arm of the EU now aims mainly at reducing dependency from countries outside the bloc (i.e. Russia), endorsing the energy union and decreasing the use of fossil fuels by replacing them with renewables. Being one […]

2016 crisis update: the year of the Red Fire Monkey burns the world’s markets down

The Chinese New Year began two days ago and has brought already significant turbulences and volatilities to the global financial markets and economies. Luckily for the world’s second largest economy, Chinese stock markets are closed due to New Year’s festivities and haven’t experienced, at least yet, the losses of the European, U.S. and Japanese markets. This […]

Brexit update: Tusk’s proposal is out and Cameron takes it all

It was just yesterday when Donald Tusk, president of the European Council (EC), released a draft deal that intends to keep Britain within the EU. This new proposal is mostly aligned with what the British Prime Minister has been asking for from the European Union. However, this draft text must be voted by all 28 […]

Migration crisis update: Greece could probably say goodbye to Schengen really soon

It was two days ago when the European Commission’s draft report revealed “serious deficiencies” of the Greek government to comply with its obligations under the Schengen’s Agreement rules regarding the control of the migrant influx. If these suggestions are voted by the majority of the EU member states, then Greece will be given a 90 […]

WEF Davos 2016 LIVE: “We need more Schengen but reinforce control!”, France’s Minister of Economy Emmanuel Macron emphasises from Davos

Earlier today in Davos, WEF organized one more session on Europe in order to find ways to deal with one of the most important issues that the old continent is facing which is no other than the refugee crisis. The session that took place in the Sanada room was called “Europe at a tipping point” and was moderated by Lyse […]

WEF Davos 2016 LIVE: “There is a communication issue (about China) which markets don’t like” Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of IMF stresses from Davos

At the second day of the World Economic Forum 2016 in Davos the world was anticipating very much the session on China’s outlook and how its growth slowdown affects the entire world. This issue was addressed in a session called “Where is the Chinese Economy heading?” which took place in Sanada room of the Davos Congress […]

WEF Davos 2016 LIVE: “No other problem has jeopardised the EU as much as the refugee question” Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, cries out from Davos

Migration crisis is one of the most important issues in Europe currently and Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum invited yesterday Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, to speak about this heartrending problem since the German Chancellor is not attending the WEF this year. The plenary session […]

WEF Davos 2016 LIVE: “You just don’t know if the oil price will be 20$ or 100$ in the next 2-3 years!” top Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff underscores from Davos

It is the first day of the most important economic forum in the world and economy and financial markets are as every year in the foreground. The session called “Preventing Future Shocks” finished a couple of hours ago in the Sanada room in Davos with Maria Bartiromo, anchor and Global Markets Editor of Fox Business Network, […]

Terrorism and migrants: the two awful nightmares for Europe and Germany in 2016

Less than two weeks have passed since the dawn of 2016 and terrorism and the migration crisis continue afflicting Europe and especially Germany. Yesterday’s horrible terrorist attack in Istanbul that caused the lives of at least 10 people and left 15 injured shocked the entire world and particularly Angela Merkel since eight Germans were among the victims. Terrorism left […]

Schengen is losing ground fast revealing Europe’s clear inability to deal with migration crisis

It was last Monday when Sweden decided to impose ID-checks at its borders with Denmark. Of course, this action didn’t remain unanswered by Denmark which tightened controls at its southern border with Germany. This anti-Schengen spirit has been created by the influx of migrants and refugees coming to Europe daily in thousands and is meant to stop undocumented […]

Brexit Update: EU endorses unprecedented compromise to help Cameron out of the referendum mess he got himself into

Following the failure of the European Council’s summit on December 17-18 to answer positively to UK’s requests regarding EU migrant’s social benefits ban, it was time for the German Councellor and French President to take the lead and try to avoid a possible Brexit. Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande thus proposed to the British Prime Minister […]

COP21 Paris agreement: a non legally-binding climate pact won’t stop effectively global warming while EU’s Cañete throws hardest part to next Commission

Last Saturday the COP21 Paris agreement was unanimously signed by 195 countries in Le Bourget, France. Everyone voted in favor of the new attempt to reverse the downhill of our planet regarding temperature rise and agreed to take all the necessary actions to cut all fossil fuels subsidies by the end of this century. This is seen by […]

French elections: by the time the EU economy revives and the migration crisis is solved extremists could take over Europe

The National Front (FN) of Marine Le Pen won the first round of the regional elections in France while Nikolas Sarkozy’s party came second and the French President Francois Hollande was disappointingly at the third place. The entire Old Continent was shocked last Sunday when it was announced that the FN received 28% and won six out […]

Volkswagen scandal update: “We want clarity fast, but it is equally important to have the complete picture”, Commission’s spokesperson underscores from Brussels

More than two months have passed since the Volkswagen emissions scandal broke out and the company is still under thorough investigation revealing that many more vehicles are affected by the cheating software and the firm’s fraudulent techniques. Last Monday, the Volkswagen (VW) chief executive officer Matthias Müller stated in Wolfsburg, Germany that the majority of VW’s […]

G20 LIVE: “International communities and leaders have great expectations for 2016 G20 summit in Hangzhou China”, Mr Wang Xiaolong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s special envoy stresses live from G20 in Antalya Turkey

During the second day of the G20 Leaders Summit in Antalya Turkey HE Mr Wang Xiaolong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s special envoy for G20 gave a press conference regarding the G20 2015 developments and upcoming G20 2016 in China. The conference took place in the hotel hosting the International Media Center and the European Sting was certainly […]

G20 LIVE: “Re-envisioning the economy to enable women to reach their full potential” live from Antalya Turkey

Gender inequality pervades G20 economies and beyond. Women carry out the vast majority of unpaid labor around the world and are vastly overrepresented in informal, insecure and vulnerable employment. They are also subject to occupational discrimination and lack access to social protection and pension systems. Women’s unemployment accounts for three quarters of the global job […]

G20 LIVE: “United States and Turkey stand in solidarity with France and its people in handing the perpetrators of this crime and bringing them to justice”, US President Barack Obama underlines from G20 in Antalya Turkey

It was just before noon on November 15 in Antalya when the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan gave a joint press conference with Barack Obama, president of the United States of America following the completion of their meeting in the context of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The major topic that was discussed between the two leaders […]

Refugee crisis update: EU seeks now close cooperation with Africa while Schulz is shocked to witness live one single wreck full of immigrants

Last Monday’s Extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council was meant to give just an update on the ongoing refugee crisis, a few days before the summit between EU and African leaders which in Valletta, Malta today and tomorrow. The Interior Ministers convened thus to discuss about the progress shown so far since the Western Balkans’ route summit […]

Greener economies and investment to reduce unemployment and increase global growth

In less than a month now the UN Climate Conference will be taking place in Paris in order to implement measures that could reverse the downhill of the global climate. At the same time the Corporate Europe Observatory’s survey reveals that the European Commission (EC) is highly promoting the “dirty” energy companies more than the renewable […]

EU takes again positive action on migration crisis while Turkey asks for dear favors in exchange for cooperation

A mini-summit took place in Brussels last weekend involving the Western Balkan countries and aiming at tackling the escalating migration crisis in the EU. The outcome was the promotion of a 17-point plan which aspires to tackle the issue. The problem that keeps on lingering though is whether the EU countries will look at the greater good of […]

Starbucks and FIAT again under Commission’s microscope: is Europe ready to kick multinationals out of the house?

Some multinationals (MNEs) such as FIAT and Starbucks have been overdoing it in the EU for quite some time now. The case of tax investigation of the aforementioned companies on whether they have paid the correct amount of corporate income tax or not is ongoing for over a year now. The Commissioner responsible for Competition, Mrs […]

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