EU-Neighbourhood Policy

For a committed European, opening the newspapers and social media feeds has resembled an emotional roller coaster for the past few weeks. Given the war of words on the Greek crisis, it is not enough to be right or win the argument. Rather than engaging in a destructive blame game, all sides should tone down their rhetoric. Germany in particular should take seriously the inflammatory resurgence of resentment it faces in Europe and abroad for its seemingly overly assertive stance.

The Greek crisis and the past summit seems only like the first mile of a marathon. The next years will require a lot more bold decisions, strong political leadership, and solidarity among the European member states and their citizens. The project of reinvigorating Europe, regaining self-confidence, and redefining our common sense of mission in the 21st century has only just begun.

While today Turkey’s membership continues to remain a distant prospect, and it may be that the EU and Turkey will never marry, this relationship is clearly going to remain one of considerable importance.

'With great power there must also come - great responsibility'.

What strategies and actions can counter populist demagoguery and what is necessary to rebuild trust in the national and European political system(s) and restore their legitimacy in the eyes of European citizens?  

The Empire is in Peril? No, don't you worry, Star Wars Episode VII will hit cinemas near you in December. However, will yeasterday's ‪general election in the UK mark the beginning of the end of the United Kingdom? Read Alex Brianson's reflections on the morning after.

Grexit? Grexident? Graccident? Read here Eleni Panagiotarea's contribution to the Böll Lunch debate The Greek Surge against Austerity: A Blessing or a Curse for the Eurozone? (26 March 2015)

Jacques Delors rightly remarked that 'you don’t fall in love with the common market’. However, how can Europe become (increasingly) our homeland? Dick Pels offers some answers.

The recent terrorist attacks in Paris evoked strong reactions all around the world. The Hungarian government has reacted with proposals to restrict freedom of speech and by highlighting the problems of immigration.

Just two weeks after Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin came to visit Budapest on February 17. Still, with his vision of a “work society”, there might be a good chance of Victor Orbán moving closer to Germany.