EU in the world – agreement with the Mercosur bloc

Views: 17Positive progress made during the last decades, allowed the EU and Mercosur, through an intense process of negotiations, “to adjust” their relationships according to challenges facing national, regional and global governance. During last two years both sides conducted several rounds of negotiations and committed to the present agreement, which is not only serving increased […]

Assisting education and growth: African Leadership University

Views: 24The idea to create continental-wide centers to educate future leaders for African states appeared about a decade ago. Now there are, actually, two vital education providers: the African Leadership Academy (since 2008) and the African Leadership University, ALU (since 2014); the latter has already several campuses – in Kenya and Nigeria, Rwanda and Ethiopia. […]

Competition rules and technology transfer: facilitating incentives for research

Views: 19New European Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation, TTBER exempts certain categories of technology transfer agreements from the prohibition of anti-competitive agreements in the EU basic law. Modern legal supplements are aimed at strengthening the incentives for research and development, facilitating the diffusion of technologies and promoting competition.  

New European Commission’s College: competences and roles for next five years (Part II)

Views: 156The second article covers portfolios of twenty new Commissioners, who are popularly regarded as the European “sectoral minister”. As soon as their portfolios include numerous competences and capacities, it is appropriate limiting “presentations” in a divided form according to present College political priorities. It is also worth mentioning that the new staff starts practical […]

New European Commission’s College: competences and roles for next five years (Part I)

Views: 157In the President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for the new College’s political guidance this September, some new priorities have been formulated with specific tasks assigned to the future “EU-ministers” for the next 5 years. The first article deals with the College’s leadership (i.e. Commission’s executive vice presidents), the second, will “cover portfolios” of […]

Emission reduction targets: carbon market rules and “clean” investments

Views: 24Since the European Green Deal was adopted at the end of 2019, the EU has committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. This objective became legally binding with the adoption and entry into force in 2021 of the European Climate Law. This EU-wide legislation sets an intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions […]

European external trade: negotiations and perspectives

Views: 22The EU Foreign Affairs Council on Trade exercises – on behalf of the member states – trade negotiations with the outside world (so-called EU common commercial policy); this work is within the so-called exclusive EU competences. The EU trade Commissioner provided an overview of some bilateral trade negotiations: the EU already has the largest […]

Clean energy transition: global and regional perspectives

Views: 184As is known, extensive use of fossil fuels is dangerous for the global climate and individual health; it also puts a strain on many regional economies, industries and businesses. Hence, there are many good reasons to speed up the energy transition including more active renewable policies both world-wide and in regional/national domain. 

Recent EU-Bond issuance to support European integration

Views: 35According to the EU basic law, the European Commission is capable of borrowing on the international capital markets (on behalf of the EU) to finance EU integration programs. The EU has already a well-established name in debt securities markets, with a track record of bond issuances over the past 40 years. Borrowing by syndicated […]

Europe for Africa: a package of assistance

Views: 27The EU-Africa Global Gateway Investment Package supports African states in jointly identified projects in commonly agreed priority areas. The Global Gateway projects are focusing on accelerating green and digital transition, creating sustainable growth and jobs, as well as supporting health systems and improving education and training.