European Union

The worsening migration situation in Latin America and Europe worries parliamentarians in both regions, who also warn against increasing trade protectionism.

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

The worsening migration situation in Latin America and Europe worries parliamentarians in both regions, who also warn against increasing trade protectionism.

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

Parliament will award the Sakharov human rights prize, elect a new Ombudsman and debate the rule of law in Malta and the EU Summit at the final plenary session of 2019.

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

Parliament will award the Sakharov human rights prize, elect a new Ombudsman and debate the rule of law in Malta and the EU Summit at the final plenary session of 2019.

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP

Tensions between Portuguese prime minister, Antonio Costa, and his finance minister and Eurogroup president, Mario Centeno erupted in front of EU leaders on Friday (13 December) as the two clashed over the design of the eurozone budgetary instrument .

It is not often that we knowingly witness history in the making before our own eyes, but today we've had one of those moments.

The European Council has asked the Commission to present a mandate to start post-Brexit negotiations with the UK as soon as possible, following Thursday (12 December) UK elections results that confirmed a strong majority for Boris Johnson.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) will next week unveil a "detailed democratic case for the transfer of power" that may enable a second Scottish independence referendum to take place in the near future, the leader of the party Nicola Sturgeon said on Friday (13 December).

Poland would not be eligible for funds available under the European Green Deal if it does not sign up to the EU’s climate objectives, French President Emmanuel Macron warned at the closure of an EU summit on Friday (13 December).

After three and a half years there is finally closure. There will be no second referendum. The UK will leave the European Union in January. But as one battle ends, a host of new fronts open up.

Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon announced on Friday she would set out plans for a second referendum on Scottish independence next week, in the light of the Conservative victory in the UK election, and Brexit. She told British PM Boris Johnson: "It is the right of the people of Scotland, and you, as the leader of a defeated party in Scotland, have no right to stand in the way."

Using digital tools to deliver care more efficiently presents a massive opportunity to relieve Europe’s strained healthcare systems, but the enormous potential of this technology carries significant ethical and environmental considerations, EURACTIV heard at a recent event. 

The development of pioneering new digital treatments and technologies, including robotics, artifical intelligence and data networks, is set to transform our healthcare systems over the coming years.

Rule of law, environmental protection, and minority rights will feature high on the agenda in Brussels and Strasbourg as 2019 comes to a close.

Rule of law, environmental protection, and minority rights will feature high on the agenda in Brussels and Strasbourg as 2019 comes to a close.

The remaining 27 EU countries also told the UK to quickly ratify the withdrawal agreement, and start negotiations on future trade. The EU is keen to protect its own interests and prevent unfair competition from Britain.

With Germany’s dwindling leadership on climate, Britain’s departure from the European Union could have “potentially huge” consequences for climate policy, says Sandrine Dixson-Declève.

Cybersecurity represents one of the greatest challenges that companies, individuals, national governments and supranational organisations currently face. The technological devices that citizens use daily could be at risk of potential cyber-threats due to insufficient built-in security safeguards.

Written by Marcin Grajewski,

© Daniel Berkmann / Fotolia

The European Union has been established as an area of security, stability and prosperity, in which economic competitiveness plays a key role. Although in terms of productivity some EU countries are doing well, compared to, for example, the United States, the EU is lagging behind some other world regions in reaping the fruits of the digital revolution. Analysts also point to the need to continue euro-area governance reforms, completing the Banking Union and pushing ahead with the creation of the Capital Markets Union. A debate continues about whether the EU should support the creation of EU industrial champions, which advocates claim could be well placed to compete internationally in some sectors.

This note brings together commentaries, analyses and studies by international think tanks and research institutes on EU competitiveness and related issues. Earlier papers on reforming the euro area are available in a previous issue from the series, published in December 2019.

Manufacturing employment, international trade, and China
Bruegel, November 2019

A primer on developing European public goods: A report to ministers Bruno Le Maire and Olaf Scholz
Bruegel, November 2019

The single market remains the decisive power of the EU
Centre for European Policy Studies, October 2019

A geographically fair EU industrial strategy
European Policy Centre, October 2019

Beyond industrial policy: Why Europe needs a new growth strategy
Jacques Delors Institute, October 2019

Comment combattre la prochaine récession?
Terra Nova, October 2019

The 2019 future of work index: How the world of work is changing – and how policy needs to change with it
Lisbon Council, October 2019

Labour market and social policy
Centre for European Policy Studies, October 2019

Structural change, institutions and the dynamics of labor productivity in Europe
German Marshall Fund, October 2019

Economic polarisation in Europe: Causes and options for action
Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche, September 2019

Holding together what belongs together: A strategy to counteract economic polarisation in Europe
Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche, September 2019

Tax law and the transfer of start-up losses: A European overview and categorization
ZEW, September 2019

Public investment a key prerequisite for private sector activity
Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, August 2019

Machine politics: Europe and the AI revolution
European Council on Foreign Relations, July 2019

Making the Single Market work: Launching a 2022 masterplan for Europe
European Policy Centre, July 2019

Facing the crisis: Rethinking economics for the age of environmental breakdown
Institute for Public Policy Research, July 2019

Wirtschaftliche Polarisierung in Europa: Ursachen und Handlungsoptionen
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, July 2019

The European Union energy transition: Key priorities for the next five years
Bruegel, July 2019

Redefining Europe’s economic sovereignty
Bruegel, June 2019

Tech giants in banking: The implications of a new market power
Istituto Affari Internazionali, June 2019

Cross border services in the internal market: An important contribution to economic and social cohesion
Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft Köln, June 2019

Assessing Europe’s space dependency and its implications
Institut français des relations internationales, June 2019

European economic democracy: A new path out of the crisis
Foundation for European Progressive Studies, June 2019

Rebranding capital markets union: A market finance action plan
Centre for European Policy Studies, June 2019

The opportunities of the modernisation fund for the energy transition in Central and Eastern Europe
Centre for European Policy Studies, June 2019

The future of work? Work of the future! On how artificial intelligence, robotics and automation are transforming jobs and the economy in Europe
European Political Strategy Centre, May 2019

EU energy system transformation: The agenda for the next Commission
E3G, May 2019

How to improve European Union cohesion policy for the next decade
Bruegel, May 2019

Europe’s sustainability puzzle: Broadening the debate
European Political Strategy Centre, May 2019

Promoting sustainable and inclusive growth and convergence in the European Union
Bruegel, April 2019

Infrastructure for growth: How to finance, develop, and protect it
Istituto per gli Studi di Politica Internazionale, April 2019

Do data policy restrictions impact the productivity performance of firms and industries?
Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, European University Institute, April 2019

The impact of labour market institutions and capital accumulation on unemployment: Evidence from the OECD, 1985-2013
Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche, April 2019

Posted workers regulations as a cohesion test in the enlarged EU
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Institute of Public Affairs, April 2019

EU mobile workers: A challenge to public finance?
Centre for European Policy Studies, April 2019

Strategic dimensions of the energy transition: Challenges and responses for France, Germany and the European Union
Institut français des relations internationales, April 2019

Mobilités propres: La voie européenne
Notre Europe, April 2019

Standing up for competition: Market concentration, regulation, and Europe’s quest for a new industrial policy
European Centre for International Political Economy, March 2019

EU industrial policy after Siemens-Alstom: Finding a new balance between openness and protection
European Political Strategy Centre, March 2019

Effect of public procurement regulation on competition and cost-effectiveness
Robert Schuman Centre, European University Institute, March 2019

Escaping the startup trap: Can policymakers help small companies grow to major employers?
Progressive Policy Institute, February 2019

Artificial Intelligence: Ethics, governance and policy challenges
Centre for European Policy Studies, February 2019

How are you doing, Europe? Mapping social imbalances in the EU
Jacques Delors Institute, Bertelsmann Stiftung, February 2019

European innovation partnerships: How successful have they been in promoting innovation in the EU?
Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche, January 2019

Science, technology and innovation diplomacy: A way forward for Europe
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Institute for European Studies, January 2019

Innovate Europe: Competing for global innovation leadership
World Economic Forum, January 2019

Vertical restraints and e-commerce
Bruegel, January 2019

The challenge of moving to a common consolidated corporate tax base in the EU
Institut der Deutschen Wirtschaft Köln, January 2019

Europe needs reforms for inclusive growth. Do Europeans agree?
LUISS School of European Political Economy, January 2019

Europe’s growth starlets: Wages and productivity in 4 export-oriented economies
Jacques Delors Institute, December 2018

Eco-innovation: Drivers, barriers and effects – A European perspective
Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche, December 2018

Which structural reforms does E(M)U need to function properly?
Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche, December 2018

Réforme de l’Union économique et monétaire: Quelle dimension sociale?
Notre Europe, February 2019

Read this briefing on ‘Enhancing EU competitiveness‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Plenary session, Strasbourg

Source : © European Union, 2019 - EP