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If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
The agreement on the EU budget for 2014-20 marks a political success for the bloc's spending hawks--and in particular for the British government, which going into the European Council on February 7th-8th had adopted the most hard-line position.
For some, it may seem bizarre that Hezbollah is not already on Europe's terrorist blacklist. Critics in Israel have long complained that Europe is turning a blind eye to Hezbollah, adopting an ostrich policy, and appeasing its Muslim communities.
Countries trade with other member states and invest across borders, while Europeans live, study and work abroad. This means that what happens in one country will affect the others. The crisis over the last few years showed the impact a few financially troubled countries can have on the rest of the EU.
It is the same old budget as before, nothing new or modern about it. Farming and structural funds are the name of the game. It is like the EU's leaders have lazily gone to the fridge, rummaged around for the same old budget they've been serving up for the last 50 years, warmed it up a bit and whacked it on a plate. Bon appétit, Europe.
On Friday, the member states reached agreement on a funding settlement that will shape the EU in years to come. There are many things that we can we welcome in the deal that was announced earlier. But there are a number of issues that are of concern.
Great strides have been made and great plans are underway in DFID. Now we need to ensure these plans are sustainable, beneficial to the majority of the poor, and have impact.
Referenda are neither for the faint-hearted nor for the inexperienced. Like most EU issues, this debate will be contentious and emotionally charged. There will be charges and counter-charges, fear tactics, negative messages, conspiracy theories, misleading polls, half truths and full lies.
Today marks a historic step in the fight for a more rational approach to Europe's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The European Parliament has voted on a major reform of the CFP, making full use of its new powers as co-legislator in this area. These reforms should ensure that Europe's fish stocks are preserved for future generations and that the long-term viability of the fishing industry is prioritised over short-term profits.
Romanians are used to coming bottom of the European pile. I know, I'm married to one. He lives in Britain, and is often told he 'sounds English' - lucky chap.
The multi-annual financial framework is not just a budget, but rather a political act, an expression of Europe's ambitions by which we commit to financing common policies and projects that are of mutual benefit. This is more, not less, relevant in times of hardship and economic crisis.
Noise is one of the scourges of modern life and one of the main causes is traffic noise. Research by the European Environmental Agency shows that half of the people living in urban areas suffer from unbearable traffic noise.
Terrorism is obviously the "access all areas pass" - but many more Europeans die slipping in the shower or from ill-fitting moped helmets than from "terrorism".
With the thorn of Ukip in his side David Cameron knew that he had to do something about 'Britain and the EU' before the niggling wound became infected and caused even more problems down the line.
This party political move makes Britain's exit from the EU a real possibility. And that is neither in the UK's or Germany's interests.
The abundance of data not only makes us more vulnerable to cybercrime, it also leaves the door open for companies to use the date in ways we never dreamed of. For instance, insurance companies might charge some customers more than others as they are perceived to be higher risk based on the data available.
In Europe and Britain, if we are to accept the line from London that the UK is a political union of equals then the UK has to accept that it can only move so far and so fast as is agreed by all of its members. Isn't that the very essence of subsidiarity? The arguments for staying part of the EU - certainly with steps to make it more efficient and more responsive to the diverse needs of European regions - are more clear-cut here in Wales than as seen in England. On balance we in Wales would probably prefer to stay put.
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