Renewables: The great uncertainty of the EU energy strategy
For more than two decades, the development of renewable energy sources (RES) has been an important aim of EU energy policy. It accelerated with the adoption of a 1997 White Paper and […]
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
The (non)sense of eurozone level democracy
Many advocate increasing the legitimacy of the eurozone, yet practical measures remain scarce. This Egmont paper discusses one of the few concrete proposals: the creation of eurozone level democracy.
Commentaries
The European Union launches a new, risky 2030 strategy for climate and energy
At its last meeting, the European Council agreed on the 2030 climate and energy strategy for the European Union. It foresees new targets for the reduction of greenhouse
The European semester in Belgium: A state of play
After four rounds of the European Semester process of EU economic coordination, Belgium has done relatively little to comply with EU recommendations. This brief substantiates and confirms this claim after […]
Commentaries
The EU must seriously rethink its approach to climate and energy.
The European Council of October 2014 has to adopt fundamental decisions for the future in the area of climate and energy. Because of the recent disturbing headlines, the media have
Commentaries
Cameron’s logic calls for eurozone democracy
This commentary argues that the Scottish referendum is likely to have consequences beyond the United Kingdom. In line with David Cameron’s plea for ‘English votes for English laws,’ eurozone votes on […]