European Union

Left-wing student and civil rights movements came to a head in many countries 50 years ago. The so-called "68ers" championed democracy, social freedom, emancipation, the environment and other causes.

More than 40% of people in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) support the name deal reached between their government and Athens, according to a poll.

Paul Magnette, mayor of Charleroi and former minister-president of the Belgian Wallonia region, has been approached by the French Socialist Party to lead the socialist list in the European parliament elections in May 2019, reports Figaro. Magnette, who became famous for opposing the EU-Canada free trade agreement (Ceta) and threatening to derail it in the last minute, said he was "flattered" and would discuss the idea with his own party.

A team of Danish economists has put forward a case for one largely-overlooked driver of economic development in Europe: 80,000km of roadways built by the Roman empire nearly 2,000 years ago, according to the Washington Post. Their study shows how density of ancient Roman roads in Europe strongly correlates with present-day prosperity, as measured by modern-day road density, population density and satellite imagery of nighttime lighting.

"Thank God without human casualties, but it is nevertheless extremely regrettable", Estonia's president Jueri Ratas commented after a Spanish fighter jet accidentally fired an air-to-air missile over Estonia on Tuesday during a routine Nato training mission. Estonia's military is now searching the area around where it was fired, as it is potentially still armed, while the Spanish defence ministry has opened an investigation into the matter.

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay his first state visit to Germany since becoming president in 2014 on 28-29 September, the office of Germany's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier confirmed on Tuesday. The programme includes a meeting between Erdogan and Steinmeier while a meeting with chancellor Angela Merkel was not confirmed. Relations between the two Nato countries are strained due to Turkey's crackdown on suspected opponents and detention of German citizens.

Users who publish content freely available on the internet should get consent from the person behind it, Europe's top court ruled on Tuesday (7 August) in a boost to the bloc's creative industries.

Europe’s wildfires combined with the extreme warm weather can pose additional health risks to people living in affected areas, the World Health Organisation has warned.

Italy's parliament approved on Monday night (with 382 votes in favour, 11 against and one abstention) to donate 12 patrol vessels to the Libyan coastguard to help push back migrants setting sail for Europe. The plan to equip the Libyans is backed by the EU, which has funded the training of 237 Libyan coastguard officers to man the boats. The latest training course was run by the Spanish navy.

While Eurosceptic populists team up ahead of the European elections in attempt to turn them into a referendum over the EU’s very existence, civil society is now calling on progressive forces to come together to defend the bloc.

With European elections coming up in May 2019, you probably want to know how the European Union impacts your daily life, before you think about voting. In the latest in a series of posts on what Europe does for you, your family, your business and your wellbeing, we look at what Europe does for vocational students.

If you are studying on a vocational or professional track, your talents are key to a strong economy and the EU wants to help you develop your skills. The EU invests in improving awareness, creating opportunities, and supporting those in charge to provide the best quality and most relevant training possible.

Twitter Hashtag #EUandME

© auremar / Fotolia

Still considering your options? The European Vocational Skills week, with more than 1 000 events across Europe showcases opportunities for young people and raises awareness of the importance of vocational education and apprenticeships.

If you are already a vocational education student, Erasmus+ offers mobility opportunities so you can carry out part of your studies or training abroad. A new initiative, ErasmusPro, even caters for long term mobility.

Your learning experience should be both relevant and worthwhile. The EU is keen to ensure that all players who shape vocational education in EU countries define good quality vocational education and training together. To understand how well things are working in practice, the EU also provides studies and research. And when you go to another country, it will also be easier for your skills and qualifications to be recognised when EU countries understand each other’s training systems better.

Of course, you want to find work at the end of your studies, so the EU also helps develop links between vocational education and training (VET) schools, businesses in a given sector, and public authorities. Together they identify skills the labour market needs and develop motivating courses that prepare you for a job that appeals to you.

Further information

• Agricultural education and lifelong training in the EU: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2017/608788/EPRS_BRI(2017)608788_EN.pdf
• Dual Education: a bridge over troubled waters? :
• http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2014/529072/IPOL_STU(2014)529072_EN.pdf
• Education and Vocational Training: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/fiches_techniques/2017/N53722/04A_FT(2017)N53722_EN.pdf
• EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service: www.epthinktank.eu

Britain should offer developers of mini nuclear plants subsidies similar to those made available to the offshore wind industry, an independent review commissioned by the government said on Tuesday (7 August).

This week marks ten years since Georgia lived through a dramatic five day war with the Russian Federation. On 12 August 2008, the EU brokered a ceasefire deal bringing an end to open warfare – but not to conflict, explains Ketevan Tsikhelashvili.

The euphoria triggered by the FIFA World Cup quickly gave way to divisive, ugly debates about national identity and race, around players of diverse ethnic origins. These controversies highlight the need for measured exchanges on belonging in today’s Europe, writes Michael O'Flaherty.

Director of Electronic Communications Networks and Services Anthony Whelan says in an internal document that he wanted to eliminate "possible criticisms" and "marginalise questions".

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the conflict between Russia and Georgia, the EU reaffirmed its firm commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflicts in Georgia and to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders.

An advocate general at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg on Tuesday said the European arrest warrant remains valid in the UK so long as it remains a member of the European Union. "The UK's decision to leave the EU should not affect the execution of a European arrest warrant issued by it," said the opinion, after a suspect in Ireland challenged the UK for issuing an arrest warrant.

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Area of Freedom, Security and Justice
Advocate General Szpunar: the UK’s decision to leave the EU should not affect the execution of a European arrest warrant issued by it

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Freedom of establishment
The posting on a website of a photograph that was freely accessible on another website with the consent of the author requires a new authorisation by that author