Tagged EU

The recent European elections have shed an informative light on the state of politics both within individual member states and in the wider European sphere. There has been a rise in voter turnout in most EU countries, some by quite significant amounts. S... Be More Curious...

POLICY BRIEF | The US – Iran Information Warfare: the backstage of the Nuclear Deal and the role of the European Union

Mariaeugenia Benato

25/06/2019

Iran

The concept of Information Warfare (IW) is not recent. It could be define as “a targeted effort to undermine and neutralize hostile command and control systems for the purpose of protecting and coordinati... Be More Curious...

The Balkans Ahead of the New European Parliament: A Change of Paradigm?

Zoran Cicak

24/05/2019

However, there remains a paradox which is indeed endemic in Western Balkans. It is more or less overt support extended by the European Union to policies and leaders which are both inherently anti-European... Be More Curious...

Monday Talk with H.E. Jacek Czaputowicz, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland

Ebubekir ISIK

20/05/2019

As part of our Monday Talks series supported by Science 14, we have talked with H.E Jacek Czaputowicz, the Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs, about many pressing issues, including the upcoming European elections, EU enlargement to the Western Balk... Be More Curious...

COMMENTARY | How North Macedonia’s rebranded name affects its international position?

Aleksandra Toska

16/05/2019

The collapse of Yugoslavia in 1991 led to the birth of several nation states, with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (henceforth FYROM) being one of the initial offspring. Compared to the rest o... Be More Curious...

Will the New Israeli Government Break the Diplomatic Disharmony Between Tel Aviv and Brussels?

07/05/2019

Israel, Publications

Amid a neck in neck Israeli election, the incumbent Prime Minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, will likely garner enough support “to extend his decade-long stretch in power to become the country’s longest-se... Be More Curious...

Should we expect a Russian disinformation campaign during the 2019 European elections?

Natalia Liagka

07/05/2019

Publications, Russia

Disinformation is understood as a verifiably false or misleading information that is created, presented and disseminated for economic gain or to intentionally deceive the public, and maybe cause public harm. The EU elections are going to take place ... Be More Curious...

North Macedonia’s Unusual Waltz with Turkey – Will it frustrate the EU and NATO?

30/04/2019

The saga, surrounding the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), finally came to an end this February (2019) with a brand new North Macedonia label stamped over the old contested FYROM... Be More Curious...

Vocal Cast with Péter Balázs, Hungary’s Former Minister of Foreign Affairs

Ebubekir ISIK

24/04/2019

Vocal Cast

As part of our Vocal Cast series, we have talked to Péter Balázs, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary and a professor at Central European University in Budapest. Among many relevant issues, we h... Be More Curious...

The Looming Spectre of the 2.0 Nuclearization and the European Union

13/04/2019

The row between the US and Russia over the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty began in July 2014, when the US State Department published a Compliance Report, alleging “that the Russian Federation in violation of its obligations under the INF ... Be More Curious...

The Warsaw Summit on Iran – A Breaking Point for the “United Europe”

Soudabeh Nour

15/03/2019

Iran, Publications

After the US unilateral withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal in May 2018, Europe's positions have always been in support of it. In the margins of the 2019 Munich Security Conference, EU High Represe... Be More Curious...

PANEL — Can the European Union Remain Connected to Turkey?

12/03/2019

Events, Turkey

On the 6th March 2019, Vocal Europe organised an expert panel discussion on the future of EU-Turkey relations under the question “Can the European Union remain connected to Turkey?”. The central pa... Be More Curious...

The EU’s crackdown on online hate speech: too little, too late?

Bob Groome

21/02/2019

Publications

Hateful, racist or sexist comments on the internet: you've probably seen them. Many people try to ignore these messages. But actually, it's better to take action and flag illegal hate speech. The European Commission and IT companies know that we can’t ... Be More Curious...

EVENT — Can the EU Remain Connected to Iran?

Bob Groome

18/02/2019

Events

On 22 January 2019, Vocal Europe and Science 14 hosted an expert panel to discuss the European Union’s and Iran’s strategic interests in preserving the nuclear deal, the most relevant issues that sh... Be More Curious...

The American “New Energy Realism” and the prospects of US LNG in the EU

Madalina Sisu Vicari

18/02/2019

Business, Publications

The “energy dominance” term is both a major vow and focus of “America First” vision and a hallmark of the energy policies pursued by Trump administration. It reflects the return of the United States a... Be More Curious...

Monday Talk with H.E. Carmelo Abela, Malta’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion

Ebubekir ISIK

18/02/2019

As part of our Monday Talks series supported by Science 14, we have talked with H.E Carmelo Abela in Valetta, the capital city of Malta, about many pressing issues including migration, populism, and the upcoming European elections. Ebubekir Isik... Be More Curious...

Vocal Cast With Meritxell Serret on the Issue of Catalonia

Bob Groome

14/02/2019

Vocal Cast

As part of our Vocal Cast series, we have talked to Meritxell Serret, Representative of the Government of Catalonia to the EU. Among many relevant issues, we have talked about the current state of Catal... Be More Curious...

Commentary — A European Perspective on Israel’s Nationality Law

Alejandra Finotto

13/02/2019

Israel, Publications

On July 19th, 2018 the Israeli Knesset, which is the House of Representatives of the State of Israel and thus works as the legislative branch of the government, passed a bill known as “Israel as the Nat... Be More Curious...

POLICY PAPER – European Populism Feels at Home in Moscow: the Italian Case

Vera Ventura

05/02/2019

Publications, Russia

With the recent rise of tensions in the Azov Sea, Russia-EU relations seem to have reached a new low after the Salisbury attack. However, some European political parties, and notably the so-called populist movements, have often called for a sanction lift... Be More Curious...

Rice tariffs: who are we kidding on the EU’s “free trade”?

Bill Wirtz

01/02/2019

The European Union introduces tariffs on rice from Cambodia and Myanmar in an effort to protect Italien farmers. Another example of "free trade" à la European Union. It was announced last Wednesday t... Be More Curious...

OPINION — Pakistan Under Imran Khan Keeps Disappointing the European Union

Henri Malosse

21/01/2019

The Opinion

All opinions in this column reflect view of the autor(s), not of Vocal Europe Whilst Pakistan is at the centre of international concern due to its human rights record, Europe has remained... Be More Curious...

Public say for far-right, the Trojan horse

Vicky Pathiakaki

18/01/2019

The rise of far-right has brought to the forefront the debate about whether such ideas should or not have a public say and as to whether they should occupy public space and time. Many even argue that if we do not give public say to the far right, if we... Be More Curious...

The Battle for Europe: Europe in 2019

Julien Hoez

12/01/2019

2019 is shaping up to be an exciting, if worrisome, year for Europe. While everything seems to be slowing down in preparation for the eventual hand-over of institutional positions, time never stands sti... Be More Curious...

OPINION — VOX: the ultra-right enters the political game in Spain

Alejandra Finotto

20/12/2018

Given the ascent of ultra-right political parties such as the “Rassemblement National” led by Le Pen in France, or the “Lega Nord” headed by Salvini in Italy, many were wondering why this kind of moveme... Be More Curious...

COMMENTARY — As Soros University leaves Hungary, so does academic freedom

Elisa Telesca

15/12/2018

On 3 December 2018, Hungary’s Central European University (CEU) declared that it has been forced out from its campus in Budapest by the far-right government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The decision came after months of attempts by the U.S. gover... Be More Curious...

Vocal Cast with Janez Jansa

Vera Ventura

13/12/2018

Vocal Cast

As part of our Vocal Cast series, we have talked to Janez Janša, former Prime Minister of Slovenia and leader of the opposition party SDS. Among many relevant issues, we have talked about the curren... Be More Curious...

COMMENTARY — European army: a problematic dream?

Elisa Telesca

27/11/2018

The concept of a European army has been widely discussed in the past years and particularly weeks, raising many questions about the possibility of such an idea becoming a reality. Where did the noti... Be More Curious...

EU duties on goods from Southeast Asia as a post-Brexit trade opportunity

Maria Chaplia

20/11/2018

Where the EU is walking the plank, the UK should be able to recognise and seize post-Brexit opportunities. On 6 November, the Italian government asked the European Commission to apply the “safeguard clause” on rice imports from Cambodia and Myanmar in ... Be More Curious...

Monday Talk with H.E. Georgios Katrougalos, Alternate FM of Greece

19/11/2018

As part of our Monday Talks series, we have conducted an interview with Mr. Georgios Katrougalos, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece to discuss the recent matters of relevance. Sergio ... Be More Curious...

The Internet of Things needs freedom, not government guidance

Bill Wirtz

07/11/2018

The Digital Single Market debate within the European Union is set to continue for years to come. Instead of planned policies, tech companies need freedom. The Internet of Things describes the usefuln... Be More Curious...

POLICY PAPER — The EU and the Western Balkans 6: a difficult wedding

07/11/2018

The Balkan Region, and particularly the Western part closer to the EU, consisting of the so-called WB6 – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia – has always had a fundamental role within the international geopolitical... Be More Curious...

With basic income Europe can reduce poverty

Vladan Lausevic

28/10/2018

The idea of European citizenship still dominates, being the world’s only “real” post-national and non-state citizenship that provides an individual with freedoms, obligations, rights and a sense of comm... Be More Curious...

What’s wrong with Ukraine banning two propaganda channels?

Marta Barandiy

27/10/2018

Beyond Europe

The Parliament of Ukraine has recently voted for a Resolution that proposes to shut down two national TV channels – NewsOne and 112 Ukraine. The MPs accuse them of spreading Russian chauvinist propagand... Be More Curious...

POLICY PAPER — Conflict in Cyprus: religion, ethnicity and natural gas pipelines

Xavier Palacios

24/10/2018

Publications

Religious and ethnic factors present in the Cypriot conflict have paved the wat for external actors to take part in this conflict, exposing the resolution of this conflict to the political interests of third parties. Since 2011, this conflict has t... Be More Curious...

Are Counter Terrorism Measures Really Effective?

Yvonnemarie Antonoglou

21/10/2018

The Opinion

Looking back on the past 15 years, there is little doubt that the 9/11 attacks profoundly altered the landscape of international security. Over the last decade and a half, there has been a tremendous mu... Be More Curious...

Monday Talk with Henri Malosse on Citizen Engagement with EU Institutions

Clara Berthelot

01/10/2018

As part of our Monday Talks series, Vocal Europe interviewed Mr Henri Malosse, former President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Honorary Chairman of Vocal Europe, on how to furt... Be More Curious...

As Europeans, we are living in a unique experiment that we should be proud of

Vladan Lausevic

30/09/2018

Five years ago Croatia became EU's 28th member-state. The accession process was seen as in important step for the Balkan region and the “Ex-Yugoslav area” to become Europeanized. One interesting thing was that Croatia’s accession in fact was in cont... Be More Curious...

Land-swap deal: ideal solution or Pandora’s box?

18/09/2018

Western Balkans

Despite the declared intentions of both the Kosovar and Serbian governments to achieve the land-swap deal, which would allegedly contribute to the detente of their bilateral relations and more generally... Be More Curious...

Juncker’s State of the Union Speech: Time for European Sovereignty

Clara Berthelot

12/09/2018

This morning was marked by the annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament by the President of the European Commission in Strasbourg. Jean-Claude Juncker spoke for the fourth and last ti... Be More Curious...

EESC — Youth, digital and cooperation as pills to foster the European spirit

12/09/2018

After the Commission’s adoption of the “Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on specific provisions for the European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg)”, on the 7th of September 2018 the European Economic and Soc... Be More Curious...

Can Macron still create a political cataclysm for the European election?

Clara Berthelot

10/09/2018

With the European elections coming up in 2019, Emmanuel Macron’s possibilities to change the political landscape at the European level seem to not be as easy as expected. The last week of August was mar... Be More Curious...

Can a Bavarian Make Europe Great Again?

Christina Cigir

07/09/2018

As the 2019 elections for the European Union’s commission president approach, the ongoing talks about an ideal candidate has granted its attention to leader of the European People’s Party, Manfred Weber... Be More Curious...

Here’s a question consumers should ask the European Commission

Bill Wirtz

28/08/2018

Consumer have a lot of demands towards the European Commission, but one key question really needs to be asked. It's a question of trust. There is this truism that says that you only notice what you are missing when you no longer have it at your disposa... Be More Curious...

Four countries, one threat

Ana-Maria Caminski

22/08/2018

On the chessboard of the world, every pawn seems to be an important pawn. Especially when the stake of the game is the expansion of the political power by gaining of the old sphere of influence and the ... Be More Curious...

The terrorist attack, hybrid war, and the chess-player thinking

Ana-Maria Caminski

06/08/2018

The Opinion

Aterrorist attack took place on 14 July 2016, in France. This day should have been a celebration day for so many people and has transformed up to the night into a funeral day, a terrifying day. When a w... Be More Curious...

Will the Salvini-effect spread to Europe?

Valeria Mingardi

31/07/2018

The new Italian government, result of an extenuatingly long negotiating process between the League and the Five Star Movement (M5S), has been now in office for the past two months. Even though the role of Prime Minister was conferred to Giuseppe Conte,... Be More Curious...

Can cyber attacks cause a major war?

Valeria Mingardi

30/07/2018

In the last two decades, the world has seen a rapid digitalization of services, both in civil society and state functions, thanks to the Internet and to the world wide web. As much as this is considered a p... Be More Curious...

NATO Summit: The Atlantic Drift

Bartolome T. Carvajal

19/07/2018