May 21, 2014
Article 3 of the TEU stipulates that the EU will establish an economic and monetary union with the Euro as its currency. Poland and all other member countries, except UK and Denmark which enjoy a legal derogation, must join the eurozone, when they fulfil the requirements – 2.5 per cent inflation rate, three per cent… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
At the risk of destroying the basis of human civilisation Humanity must find ways and means for phasing out the use of fossil fuels before the end of the century. The EU aims at reaching that objective already for 2050. Renewable energies – wind, sun, waves and tides – can do the job provided Humanity… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Taxation should not only procure government revenue but also influence business and consumer behaviour. This goes for tobacco, gasoline and alcohol excise taxes as well as for VAT and income taxation. Profit taxation is becoming increasingly difficult in a global environment. Globally operating companies deriving their profits from subsidiaries across the the world try to… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
On April 25th, the President of the “Ukrainian Association of energy efficient cities”, which groups 35 small towns with a total population of two million people, has addressed a plea to the EU to launch an urgent twinning programme for sharing energy efficiency know-how, resources and professional skills to address the Ukrainian energy crisis. The… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Three years after the “Arab Spring” Egypt is much worse off than during the Mubarak era. The Military are firmly in control and prepare for being “legitimised” by the forthcoming Presidential elections. Democracy and rule of law are farther away than ever. The economy is in shambles. Tourism has been severely hurt and energy supply… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
The Lisbon Treaty has enhanced the international Role of the EU. The appointment of a High Representative, de facto a EU foreign minister, and the creation of a diplomatic service, composed of officials from EU institutions and member states, are the most innovative changes. Thanks to this new constitutional framework the 50-year old Commission Delegations… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Since the end of February, when President Yanukovych left the country, Ukraine has been caught in a spiral declining public order close to civil war. Russia has no doubt been a major, though invisible player behind he scenes. Through skilful “exploitation” of Russian speaking Ukrainians in the Crimea and Eastern provinces it has helped destabilising… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Energy security has re-appeared on the agenda of European energy policy. More than half of European energy needs are covered through imports, with most of them coming from a few countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria. Under the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the EU has launched efforts to diversify its gas imports to other… » read more
Posted by Eberhard Rhein
Thoughts on energy and climate, the Mediterranean and whatever comes to mind.
