Commentaries
September 2016: Back-to-school politics – the EU’s new commitments
A snapshot of the EU’s new ambitions in the wake of the State of the Union speech and the Bratislava Declaration as scene-setters for the ‘rentrée politique’.
European Affairs
Located in Brussels at the heart of EU political decision-making, the European Affairs Programme provides in-depth as well as policy-oriented analyses on a wide range of themes of relevance to EU and Belgian policy makers. Topics that are – or ought to be – central to the EU policy debate are given special attention. Aside from a constant focus on institutional matters, various substantive EU policies dominate the Programme’s research agenda, such as the Green Deal, the digital agenda, the consolidation of an inclusive social model, the protection of people and the defence of rights, and the promotion of Europe’s interests in the world.
The Programme also deals extensively and in a forward-looking way with the impact of the multiple crises the EU has had to address over the last decade. They all had an impact on its policies, its decision-making processes, and more generally its architecture, which is proof of the resilience of the European project.
With the aim of reaching the broadest audience possible, the European Affairs Programme seeks to share its expertise and stimulate the debate through a variety of publications as well as by organizing round tables, expert-seminars, and conferences.
Publications
Putting the Paris Agreement at the centre of Europe’s climate and energy map
The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015, sent a clear message to the world that the global transition to a low-carbon economy is an inevitability that requires commitment from countries […]
The reform of the EU Courts (III). The brilliant alternative approach of the European Court of Human Rights
This third Egmont/Tepsa report about the doubling of the EU General Court compares the completely opposite justice reform strategies of the European Union and the Council of Europe. It underlines […]
Commentaries
The Hangzhou G20 summit – what is at stake?
On 4-5 September, the city of Hangzhou is set to host the first ever summit of G20 leaders in China. By welcoming G20 leaders for their 11th gathering,
Commentaries
Ensuring short and long-term future of Russian oil output
In March 2016, Russian oil production hit a post-Soviet high of 10.91 million barrels per day (MBPD). This represented the pinnacle of a decade-long growth in productivity and production has […]
Commentaries
Is terrorism contagious?
The multiplication of terrorist attacks in Europe over the past few months raises questions with regard to the diffusion of terrorism. This commentary argues that the Islamic State aims indeed […]