Rhein on Energy and Climate

Archives for EU Treaty & Institutions

The EU has been in a process of permanent enlargements since its very beginning in 1958. In 2010 it is negotiating with two more candidate countries: Croatia and Turkey. It has given membership promises to six West Balkan countries (Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo). In the East, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia also cherish… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Since the introduction of the common currency, the 16 member countries, that have presently adopted the Euro, form an informal group within the EU institutional framework where they discuss their specific concerns on monetary and fiscal policies. This has often been very useful. The Lisbon Treaty has therefore formally confirmed the Euro group. Backed by… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

At the Commission Hearings by the EP, January 15, the new Climate Commissioner, Connie Hedegaard, has pleaded in favour of continuing to rely on the UN machinery as the way to reach an international agreement on climate change. After two years of unsuccessful preparations, in the UN framework, for the Copenhagen Climate Conference, this is… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

The appointment of a new High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, who is also Vice-President of the Commission, is a valuable the major innovation in the future EU institutional setup. But tTo make the best benefit of it fully successful, the EU will have to undertake three major important changes of its present external… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein

Regional policy is about to become the EU`s major European policy area, measured by the volume of expenditures. By 2013 its annual expenditures are set to exceed those from agricultural policy, which had been the undisputed queen of EU spending for the past 50 years. It is therefore timely to have a closer look at… » read more

Posted by Eberhard Rhein