Last week the European Commission published a press release regarding EU’s recovery from the financial crisis where it is mentioned that the EU, after 10 years since that start of the crisis, is back to growth because of the EU influential actions. What is more, it was announced yesterday that Germany’s gross domestic product in […]Has the EU economy truly revived from the financial crisis?
August 16, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Last week the European Commission published a press release regarding EU’s recovery from the financial crisis where it is mentioned that the EU, after 10 years since that start of the crisis, is back to growth because of the EU influential actions. What is more, it was announced yesterday that Germany’s gross domestic product in […]Refugee crisis update: EU lacks solidarity as migration figures drop
August 9, 2017 by 1 Comment
There has been a significant decrease in July in the number of refugees reaching Italy through the Mediterranean according to data released by the Italian interior ministry last Thursday. The report shows that 11.192 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean last month; only half compared to June’s and last July’s figures. Are migration crisis figures going […]Brexit talks: 2nd round fails to bring the EU and the UK closer on key issues
July 25, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator and David Davis, British Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, hold a joint press conference at the end of the second round of Brexit negotiations. (Copyright European Union / Source: EC – Audiovisual Service) After millions of words that have been said over the matter, last week, […]Refugee crisis: Commission proposes a new plan urging EU countries to help Italy
July 12, 2017 by 1 Comment
The EU interior ministers gathered last Thursday in Tallinn to discuss Italy’s problem to deal with migration crisis together with the new Action Plan proposed by the European Commission to support Italy and increase solidarity in the EU. The refugee crisis continues plaguing Europe in 2017 as 101.266 migrants have entered the bloc by sea […]Macron’s Presidency: what the young generation’s expectations are
June 16, 2017 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mr Adrien Lepic, the elected Secretary General of the European Confederation of Junior Enterprises (JADE) for the 2017/2018 term. The opinion expressed in this piece belongs to the writer and do not necessarily reflect The European Sting’s one. On the 7th of May 2017, the youngest President of […]Refugee crisis update: Commission is struggling alone with little help from EU or G7 leaders
June 14, 2017 by 1 Comment
The European Commission has been fighting the migration crisis urging the EU countries for their support to tackle this long-lasting issue but no or little contribution is provided. Last Thursday, the president of the EC prompted the Czech Republic to change its decision regarding their denial on accepting asylum seekers from Greece and Italy under […]EU unveils plan to accelerate Capital Markets Union ahead of London’s departure from the bloc
June 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Skyline of the City of London, Europe’s largest financial centre. (Source: EC – Audiovisual Service / Photo: Jack Taylor) Last week the European Commission unveiled it is taking further steps to develop the Capital Markets Union, a plan to support growth and investment in the Old Continent. The project, which aims at creating a single […]Will the EU ever tackle the migration crisis despite the lack of political will?
May 24, 2017 by 1 Comment
Despite the fact that migration crisis figures have decreased compared to last year, the disappointing commitment of some countries to fulfil their obligations receiving asylum-seekers from Greece and Italy combined with the worsening situation in the Mediterranean are perpetuating this crisis. The European Commission (EC) continues its hard work towards the completion of the relocation […]French election: Will France vote for a reformed or no EU?
May 3, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The run-off presidential election approaches and the leader of “En Marche!” movement leads the race over his political opponent Marine Le Pen. Both attempt to influence the remaining undecided French people who are going to vote on Sunday. On the one hand, Emmanuelle Macron supports an EU reform in order for France to remain within […]EU27 leaders unite on Brexit Guidelines ahead of “tough negotiations” with Theresa May
May 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Last Saturday, the leaders of the European Union met for the first time after UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, officially opening the Brexit process, and Britain was not invited. The purpose of the EU27 special summit was indeed to discuss guidelines for divorce negotiations with the UK ahead […]EU attempts to make new deal with Turkey as relations deteriorate
April 26, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The EU foreign ministers gather in Malta on Friday to discuss about the future relations with Turkey a few days after Erdogan’s narrow and controversial victory in the Turkish referendum. It seems that the EU officials and leaders start fearing that the Turkish president will materialise his threats about abandoning the EU-Turkey refugee deal in […]The implications of Brexit on European business, youth entrepreneurship and junior enterprises.
April 1, 2017 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mr Md. Minhajul Abedin, Mr Satya Shekhar, Mr Nikita Polukeev and Mr Divyaditya Singh, all student consultants at Westminster Business Consultants (WBC). WBC is a Junior Enterprise in the UK affiliated to the European Confederation of Junior Enterprises (JADE). The opinions expressed within reflect only the writers’ views and not […]Brexit kick-off: a historic day for the EU anticlockwise
March 29, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The beginning of the two-year negotiations is about to begin as UK submits today the letter to the EU today informing the latter about the decision of the British people to leave the bloc. However, it is still too early to say whether a deal will be reached within the timeframe that is set in […]Will Turkey abandon the refugee deal and risk losing a bonanza of money?
March 22, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Last week Turkey threatened Europe to reinstate capital punishment and to drop the EU-Turkey pact which was signed one year ago. The desperate need of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to gain more power has forced Turkish officials to release accusations to Europe and especially to the Netherlands, Germany and Brussels in view of the […]Brexit is happening now but the UK hasn’t really assessed the impact of a “no-deal” divorce
March 21, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The last few days, amid the political storm that the Dutch elections have generated, the Brexit question has seen important events as well. Last week the Queen has given her assent to the Brexit bill, and have formally cleared the way for Prime Minister Theresa May to start talks to leave the European Union. PM […]Refugee crisis update: EU fails to relocate immigrants from Greece and Italy
March 8, 2017 by 1 Comment
The European Commission announced last Thursday new measures for an efficient EU return policy together with the progress made and must be done by the EU member states on the EU’s relocation and resettlement schemes by September and beyond. The slow relocation pace of refugees transferred from Greece and Italy to the rest European countries […]EU to present a “hefty” exit bill to the UK moments before Brexit negotiations
February 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment
There’s just one month left for UK’s Prime Minister Theresa May to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, according to her plans, and the European Union quantifies an exit bill for the first time. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has declared last week that the UK could face a “very hefty” bill for Brexit. […]
German elections: Is Merkel losing ground or Shultz is winning?
February 22, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Martin Schulz’s candidacy for Chancellor has changed the balance in the German elections as polls show that Angela Merkel and the Christian Democrats (CDU) are left in the second place after the Social Democrats (SPD). The polls which are conducted by the Emnid institute and by Forschungsgruppe Wahlen for broadcaster ZDF reveal a clear lead […]Will Brexit shatter the EU or is it still too early to predict?
February 15, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The president of the European Commission together with EU and German officials fear that Brexit will divide the EU after the negotiations have been concluded. Theresa May is about to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and begin the talks for UK’s exit once the House of Lords grants permission. In addition to the Brexit procedure, […]EU-US relations on the dawn of the Trump era
February 3, 2017 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mr Krisztian Ivan, Treasurer of the European Confederation of Junior Enterprises (JADE). JADE is a cordial partner of The European Sting. The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not The European Sting’s position on the issue. After the 8th November, when the results of the US presidential election became […]Will France vote for more or less Europe in the next presidential elections?
January 13, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Meeting on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – From humiliation and exclusion to participation : eradicate all forms of poverty Copyright: © European Union 2016 Source : EP. Location: Brussels, Belgium. Date: 19/10/2016. Photo: Alexis Haulot. The citizens of three of the strongest European countries, having in their minds the recent terrorist […]Post-Brexit muddled times: the resignation of UK’s top ambassador and Theresa May’s vague plans
January 11, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Last week, unexpected news casted more shadows over the already complex Brexit negotiations matter. Sir Ivan Rogers, Britain’s ambassador to the European Union, abruptly resigned and left his cabinet several months before his mandate was due to an end. Officially, Mr. Rogers left his position “to give time” to his successor to take charge of the […]Trade deals’ pure realism: it may take 10 years for a post-Brexit agreement
December 20, 2016 by Leave a Comment
It was already a well-known fact that the UK had a bumpy road ahead before a post-Brexit deal with the European Union could ever see the light, but last week’s news are now showing that reality could be even more complex than that. Britain’s ambassador to the European Union, Sir Ivan Rogers, warned British ministers last […]EU prepares for the worst case scenario as Turkey seems to be withdrawing from the migration deal
December 14, 2016 by 2 Comments
The EU Foreign Ministers convened in Brussels two days ago with Austria calling for a tougher stance towards the Turkish membership urging the EU to freeze negotiations due to the recent security crackdown in Turkey. The EU leaders will discuss the EU-Turkey refugee deal on Thursday which is directly linked to the Turkish accession talks. Erdogan […]EU agrees on Ukraine – Georgia visa-free travel amid veto risks and populist fears
December 13, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Last week was a historic one for the long and delicate debate of the European Union-Ukraine relations. EU officials have indeed come to a deal that could see the citizens of the former Soviet republic travel to the European bloc without a visa. This decision also applies to Georgia. Both the Caucasian country and Kiev have been […]At the edge of humanity: refugee healthcare in Greece and the EU
December 2, 2016 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Ms Eleana Strouthou. The writer is a second year medical student at European University Cyprus Nicosia. Mrs Strouthou is affiliated to the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA). We were driving in Lesvos, Greece, passing by the people walking towards the port, a 12-hour distance by feet. “Stop there, let’s help the […]How will the EU face the migration crisis when the Turkish threats come true?
November 30, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on 24 November calling for the negotiations to be suspended between the EU and the Turkish government until the latter ends its suppressive and dominant response to July’s failed coup. But this decision has triggered immediate reactions by the Turkish and European sides. While the president of Turkey threatens to […]How populist and xenophobic movements in the EU tear apart European businesses and startups
November 22, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Exclusively written for the Sting by Mr João Malhadeiro, a young entrepreneur affiliated to the European Confederation of Junior Entreprises (JADE). The opinions expressed within reflect only the writer’s views and not The European Sting’s position on the issue. Europe’s values and ideologies are under serious threat. Everyday, they are being challenged by the rise of intolerance, racism, xenophobia and […]Drawing scenarios for drifting Britain; elections or May’s deadlock?
November 7, 2016 by 1 Comment
The cruel attacks by the ‘leave’ champions and Press against the three judges of Britain’s High Court, who unanimously ruled that the Brexit has to be passed in Parliament, turned out to be utterly un-British and leaned towards fascism. Tabloid newspapers and members of the May government alike called the judges’ ruling ‘unacceptable’, ‘frustrating the […]Could entrepreneurship be the real cure against the side effects of Brexit?
October 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment
This article was exclusively written for the Sting by Mr Krisztian Ivan, Director of the Finance and Private Cooperation at the European Confederation of Junior Enterprises (JADE). As Donald Tusk very clearly stated on the EPC 20th Anniversary Conference: “the only real alternative of a hard Brexit is no Brexit at all”.[1] Multiple messages suggested from the […]UK economy in dire straits: leading banks now officially plan to Brexit too
October 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
At the morrow of the Brexit vote, back in late June this year, one of the first warnings on the possible disastrous effects of the UK leaving the European Union was all about the banking sector. The entire British financial sector was in the eye of the storm and the world’s main media outlets started to […]The migration crisis is slowly melting the entire EU edifice
October 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Last Sunday Hungary voted against the EU mandatory migration plan of accepting 1,294 asylum seekers from Italy and Greece but the referendum’s outcome was considered invalid because it didn’t reach the required threshold of 50%. Hence, it has no legal consequences and Hungary is obliged to follow the EU rules, which implies that the member […]
The EU tells the bare truth to the UK that there is no such thing as easy divorces