Economic growth has been high on the European agenda for quite a while, with initiatives such as the Europe 2020 strategy and, more recently, the Compact for Growth and Jobs. The initiatives are numerous, but they do not necessarily lead to enhanced growth.
Cyprus assumed the EU presidency in the midst of the economic crisis. The presidency has been a challenging task, not the least since Cyprus itself has been severely hit by the crisis and is subject to austerity measures
Energy has always had a prominent place in the European integration process. And yet, the establishment of an EU energy policy is relatively recent, particularly in its external dimension.
Sweden's capacity to implement EU law in a swift and efficient way has varied through the years. A sizeable amount of the complaints and lawsuits against Sweden are indeed caused by delays and other shortcomings in implementing EU directives and regulations.
In light of volatile and highly uneven distribution of asylum applications across the European Union, the European Commission issued a communication in December 2011 “on enhanced intra-EU solidarity in the field of asylum” that seeks to create “an EU agenda for better responsibility sharing and more mutual trust” between Member States. In this European Policy Analysis the authors argue that even though many of the recommendations made by the Commission should be encouraged, they fail to address the structural, institutional features of the system ‒ namely the distribution key for financial responsibility sharing and the responsibility allocation principle underlying physical responsibility sharing ‒ which are perpetuating existing inequalities.
The financial crisis has shattered the confidence of economic agents in the banking system. In order to prevent future crises, the reasons for banks’ excessive risk taking have to be understood.
How is consumer interest representation, at both national and EU level, affected by European integration? How can the consumers´ influence in Europe be strengthened, and to what extent is it facilitated by the EU consumer policy? Finally, do the developments at national level affect the consumers’ political participation at the EU level? In this analysis, Paolo Graziano examines the EU consumers’ strategy with regard to its capacity to increase the role of consumers in the domestic and EU decision making. He illustrates the evolution of consumer interest groups both in the EU and nationally, looking specifically at the case of Italy.
The lessons learned from the banking panics preceding World War II had been all but forgotten when the financial crisis erupted five years ago. This European Policy Analysis advocates two reforms to reduce the likelihood of another financial calamity.
The United Kingdom is one of the European Union’s more reluctant members. A domestic debate has indeed started on EU competences, and a possible referendum on membership.
The EU has only in recent years adopted legislation in the field of nuclear safety. This legislation is not very far-reaching, and it largely replicates international conventions in the field.