European Union

Relations between Russia and the West are reaching a frighteningly low point. A recent statement by the US Ambassador to NATO reminded many of the 1961 Cuban missile crisis.

Denis Mukwege, a doctor who helps victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nadia Murad, a Yazidi rights activist and survivor of sexual slavery by Islamic State, won the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday (5 October).

European Union Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned on Friday (5 October) of a possible new war in the Balkans if Bosnia, Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo do not feel the EU is serious about offering them future membership.

The 'missing middle' of the financial services spectrum in much of sub-Saharan Africa means that start-ups are unable to find the investment they need to grow. But venture capital firms are looking at companies that target the low-income mass market.

Before the European elections next May, Germany's grand coalition wants to introduce a 2% threshold to prevent small political parties from entering the European Parliament. The German Federal Constitutional Court has, however, repeatedly ruled out such a possibility. EURACTIV Germany reports.

The Dutch foreign ministry has invited EU diplomats to discuss the creation of a new sanctions regime against human rights abusers worldwide.

There is a war on technology going on: China, the US and Russia are competing to be the leader in artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, machine learning, digital platforms, 5G, new materials, photonics, and quantum computing. But Europe is waking up, writes Fred Bakker.

Written by Magdalena Pasikowska-Schnass (1st edition),

© Freepik / Fotolia

Having considered the possibility of merging the Creative Europe programme with other programmes supporting European values, rights and justice, the European Commission has decided to continue the Creative Europe programme as a stand-alone programme and increase its budget by 17 %. The only programme focusing exclusively cultural and creative activities and enterprises, it falls under the ‘Cohesion and values’ heading of the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework.

The existing programme focuses on the economic dimension of the cultural sector and its contribution to job creation and economic growth. Some stakeholders have voiced concern at taking such a strongly economic approach to culture. Under proposed programme, the economic dimension is one axis alongside the social dimension, and culture’s contribution to international relations. The proposed framework for cultural policy therefore highlights not only the economic dimension of the cultural and creative sectors, but also the role of culture in social cohesion and its relation to creative and artistic freedom and diversity, and freedom and plurality of media.

Versions

• October 2018: ‘Creative Europe programme 2021-2027‘ (1st edition)

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Creative Europe programme (2021 to 2027) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013 Committee responsible: Culture and Education (CULT) COM(2018) 366
30.5.2018 Rapporteur: Silvia Costa (S&D, Italy) 2018/0190 (COD) Shadow rapporteurs:

 

 

  Bogdan Brunon Wenta (EPP, Poland)
Rupert Matthews (ECR, UK)
Mircea Diaconu (ALDE, Romania)
Martina Michels (GUE/NGL, Germany)
Helga Trüpel (Greens/EFA, Germany)
Isabella Adinolfi (EFDD, Italy)
Dominique Bilde (ENF, France) Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) Next steps expected: Publication of draft report

Stay in the EU or leave? According to experts, for Poland and the Czech Republic, it is important to remain in the EU, despite widespread Euroscepticism in both countries.

Committee meetings, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2018 - EP

A number of financial institutions have joined forces with public health leaders to fill in the “missing piece” of the puzzle and put an end to providing financing, insurance and investment to the tobacco industry. EURACTIV.com reports from Austria.

In April of this year the Netherlands expelled four Russians who were allegedly involved in an attempt to hack the computer network of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the Hague, the Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday. It suspects that the Russian intelligence agency GRU was behind the attack. How should Europe react to Russian cyber-attacks?

The EU Parliament has declared war on CO2 emissions in transportation with new limits. From 2030 the CO2 emissions limit for new cars is to be on average 40 percent lower than for 2021. Negotiations with the EU Commission and the member states are next on the agenda. Is the Parliament jeopardising the future of Europe's automotive industry with its decision?