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2. The role of the European Union in the world
- Author:
- Eneko Landaburu
- Publication Date:
- 03-2014
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- Despite the hopes raised by the most recent Treaties, the Lisbon Treaty in particular, the European Union has been unable to strengthen, let alone develop its role on the international stage. A couple of weeks away from the European Parliament elections, we need to ask ourselves what can reasonably be done by the upcoming Parliament to ensure that significant progress is made with respect to the EU's foreign policy.
- Topic:
- Security, Foreign Policy, International Trade and Finance, Regional Cooperation, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe
3. Institutional reform in the EU
- Author:
- Philippe de Schoutheete
- Publication Date:
- 02-2014
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- This Policy Brief discusses the potential reforms of the EU institutions that can take place during the 2014 - 2019 legislative term. It argues that negotiations on Treaty change are a possibility, but they should only start in the second part of the legislature. In the meantime, several institutional reforms that can improve the functioning of the EU – and hence increase its legitimacy – should already be considered.
- Topic:
- Regional Cooperation, Treaties and Agreements, Governance, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe
4. The case for a European social union
- Author:
- Frank Vandenbroucke
- Publication Date:
- 03-2014
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- This Policy Brief discusses the notion of a 'European Social Union', in which European countries would cooperate with an explicit social purpose. A European Social Union should not be seen as an idealistic bridge too far. Instead, a Social Union is both desirable and necessary for the eurozone and wider European integration.
- Topic:
- Regional Cooperation and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe
5. What future for the eurozone? Combining discipline, solidarity and institutional reforms
- Author:
- Stijn Verhelst and Xavier Vanden Bosch
- Publication Date:
- 03-2014
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- This Policy Brief discusses the challenges that await policymakers in reforming the EMU. A balance between discipline and solidarity will have to be found, while institutional reforms should improve the eurozone's legitimacy and efficiency. The key decisions on EMU reforms will have to be made during the 2014-2019 parliamentary term, as the window of opportunity for major reforms is likely to be closed afterwards.
- Topic:
- Economics, Monetary Policy, Financial Crisis, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe
6. The Belgian parliaments and EU affairs: the reasons behind their limited involvement
- Author:
- Xavier Vanden Bosch
- Publication Date:
- 03-2014
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- Given their limited involvement in EU affairs, the Belgian parliaments at the different levels of the Belgian federation barely contribute to the legitimation process of the EU's actions. In order to strengthen their role, not only should governmental communication towards parliaments be improved but parliamentary activities should also adapt to the confederal features of Belgium. The latter poses a unique challenge in Europe.
- Topic:
- Regional Cooperation and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Singapore
7. The European Parliament: it has to do with you
- Publication Date:
- 05-2014
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- In the City, the citizen is king. At least theoretically. In the European City currently being built around twenty eight national democracies, the citizen will soon be called upon, in May, to democratically elect his or her representative in the European Parliament for the next five years. Since the very first election of Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage in 1979, spectacular progress has been made by the "European Economic Community" that we now all know as the European Union. And the powers vested in citizen representatives are equally impressive. But there is a real possibility that European citizens will turn their backs on the upcoming European elections like never before. Why?
- Topic:
- Civil Society and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe and Singapore
8. Money for Structural Reforms in the Eurozone:making sense of contractual Arrangements
- Author:
- Xavier Vanden Bosch
- Publication Date:
- 05-2013
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- Both the Commission's proposal for a 'Competitiveness and Convergence Instrument' and the 'contractual arrangement' presented by President Van Rompuy share a common concept: associating EU money with national structural reforms under a binding arrangement.
- Topic:
- Economics, Markets, Regional Cooperation, Labor Issues, Monetary Policy, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe
9. Don't complicate it even further: Macroeconomic Conditionality as a Substitute for new Structural Reform Contracts
- Author:
- Stijn Verhelst
- Publication Date:
- 05-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- The idea of introducing contracts between Member States and the EU on structural reforms has its merits, it also has several disadvantages. Most notably, the contracts risk rendering European economic governance even more complex and cumbersome. It is therefore sensible to first try to integrate the structural reform contracts into one of the foreseen economic governance instruments.
- Topic:
- Economics, International Trade and Finance, Regional Cooperation, Governance, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe
10. A case for adjusting fiscal consolidation in the eurozone
- Author:
- Xavier Vanden Bosch
- Publication Date:
- 01-2013
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- EGMONT - The Royal Institute for International Relations
- Abstract:
- Fiscal consolidation is essential to ensure the sustainability of euro zone countries' public debt. However, as a principle, consolidation should not be pursued at a pace unnecessarily undermining growth in the short term. Repeated downward revisions of growth call for the use of the flexibility foreseen in the EU fiscal framework. The Commission should adapt the deadlines for fiscal correction to prevent excessive, pro-cyclical adjustment in 2013. In turn, adequate surveillance and coordination must ensure structural adjustments constitute the core of fiscal consolidation plans.
- Topic:
- Debt, International Trade and Finance, Monetary Policy, and Reform
- Political Geography:
- Europe