A German EU Presidency cannot succeed without France Published: 12 June 2020 Background Europe could still emerge from the pandemic crisis sustainably positioned and strengthened, but only if the Franco-German tandem works. The plans for a reconstruction fund of 500 billion euros mark a turnaround in the right direction.
The Controversy of Memories - 75 years after the end of the Second World War in Europe Published: 7 May 2020 Film "Different wars: National History Textbooks on the Second World War" - this was the title of a travelling exhibition by the EU-Russia Civil Society Forum. It toured 22 cities in the EU and Russia over the last four years. It showed how current textbooks for secondary schools depict the Second World War in Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic. The short film accompanying the exhibition will be released on 7 May.
Covid-19 pandemic shows how fragile the EU is Published: 6 May 2020 Commentary The new coronavirus is not only catapulting us out of our everyday lives, but dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic also shows us the EU's inability to act in times of crisis. Not only are people stranded at airports and railway stations, but in recent weeks the hope that Europe will pull together has also been stranded. By Eva van de Rakt and Florian Christl
Ukraine: “Renewables must not be a business for few only!” Published: 22 January 2020 Interview Iryna Holovko, board member of the Center for Environmental Initiatives “Ecoaction”, talks with Robert Sperfeld about the issue of climate protection within Ukrainian society. By Robert Sperfeld
Germany in Search of New Global Partners Published: 19 November 2019 Analysis The international rule-based order is under threat. The "Alliance for Multilateralism", initiated by the German and French Foreign ministers, aims to re-establish stability and reliability between nation states. What are its chances of success? By Dr. Ulrich Speck
The Wrong Man in the Wrong Place Published: 9 October 2019 Analysis After the rejection of László Trócsányi, the first candidate of the illiberal Hungarian PM for the European Commission, the country’s acting ambassador to the EU, Olivér Várhelyi, was soon afterwards nominated by Viktor Orbán to the position. By Benedek Jávor
The EU’s role in the conflict between Iran and the USA: de-escalation! Published: 10 July 2019 Comment The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs has appealed to the US and Iran to avoid escalation in the Persian Gulf region. The EU must continue to do everything within its power to save the nuclear deal. By Eva van de Rakt and Anna Schwarz
Focused on the Far Right Published: 23 May 2019 Background In the run-up to the European elections, US President Donald Trump shows where his sympathies lie. By Dominik Tolksdorf
European election campaign in Poland: test run for autumn general elections Published: 20 May 2019 Background The figures speak for themselves: 15 years after joining the European community, 91 percent of Poles support EU membership, with only five percent against. According to 78 percent of those surveyed, the consequences are overwhelmingly positive. Moreover, 56 percent feel they are Europeans, an increase of around 13 percent compared to 2014. By Irene Hahn-Fuhr
„Die EU verliert langsam die Geduld mit chinesischen Hinhaltetaktiken“ Published: 2 May 2019 Interview The next EU-China summit will take place on 9 April. The head of our EU office, Eva van de Rakt, spoke to MEP Reinhard Bütikofer (Greens/EFA) about his expectations for the forthcoming talks and negotiations. By Eva van de Rakt