Last week, the Conference on the future of Europe was concluded. Now far-reaching reform proposals are on the table. The risk that these will amount to nothing is great. The Russian war of aggression shows how urgently the EU needs reforms. The German government should therefore seize the opportunities offered by the conference.
By Redaktion Table
Brussels Court Bouillon: the leaks of the REPowerEU plan, to be officially unveiled by the European Commission on May 18, brought the Brussels "bubble" to a boil last Wednesday. Yet the "energy diplomacy" supplement, also to be unveiled on May 18, remained largely untouched, despite the fact that it has become a very essential part of the EU's energy strategy.
By Claire Stam
An isolated China alongside Putin is not a desirable scenario, writes William Klein in Standpunkt. The West can still influence China's policy toward Russia. Europe has a key role to play in this.
By Redaktion Table
Europe is making itself independent of Russian oil – but a much bigger challenge is to do without Russian gas. The only option is a combination of energy savings and increased LNG imports, writes Daniel Gros of CEPS in the Viewpoint. European solidarity will also be important in this regard, he adds.
By Redaktion Table
The controversial EU emissions trading scheme for buildings and road transport (ETS 2) can effectively reduce CO2 emissions and should be designed in a socially responsible way. The European Parliament and member states should not squander this climate policy opportunity, demand Martin Menner and Goetz Reichert.
By Redaktion Table
Creating a sense of European community requires more than a conference, argue our guest authors Andre Wilkens (European Cultural Foundation) and Paweł Zerka of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). They see two areas in particular as crucial, which need to be given special attention.
By Falk Steiner
More tapas, less one-pot:The unanimity rule, under which all member states must agree unanimously on certain sensitive issues, is a thorn in the side of many of Europe's citizens, as the conference on the future of Europe revealed. Will there be a far-reaching reform of the European project?
By Claire Stam
In the event that Russia turns off the gas tap to additional member states, the EU should be prepared, write Isabella M. Weber and Karsten Neuhoff. Negotiations on contingency plans should begin immediately. In doing so, they say, particular attention should be paid to issues of fairness, solidarity and legitimacy.
By Redaktion Table
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced the European Union to accelerate the pace of our energy and climate policy. Since the Kremlin has increasingly used energy as a tool for political influence, we must deprive it of its leverage by radically reducing our dependence on fossil-fuel imports from Russia.
By Redaktion Table
Vins d'Alsace and pierogis – that's what's on the Brussels menu this week.
By Claire Stam
