Eurotopics.net

Nato has a new member: Montenegro. The country's accession has drawn harsh criticism from Russia and is also a bone of contention in the country itself, which is home to many pro-Russian Serbs. For some commentators the decision reflects an outdated bloc mentality. For others, Montenegro was the natural choice for enlarging the Alliance.

The EU Commission wants to establish a defence fund into which all members pay, prompting member states to up their defence spending while making Europe less dependent on the US. Some commentators say such a move is long overdue while others see the Commission's plans as unrealistic.

With the takeover of Banco Popular the Spanish bank Santander has saved its former rival from collapse. New Eurozone regulations on bank resolution foreseeing investor participation were used for the first time in the bailout. Taxpayers were spared. Commentators see the move as a success.

The world is eagerly awaiting US President Donald Trump's decision regarding his country's position on the Paris Climate Agreement. US media are already reporting that Trump is set to honour an election pledge to take the US out of the accord. Such a decision would have consequences that affect far more than the climate, commentators stress.

The EU Commission has presented plans for reorganising the Eurozone that include replacing the emergency mechanisms created during the financial crisis with reforms. To avoid contention Brussels is avoiding the subject of a euro finance minister with his own budget for the time being and is proposing European bonds whose exact function is yet to be determined. Is the Commission's initiative too timid?