Opinions

The Brief – Germany’s election season is upon us
Est. 8minThe country is entering a period of intense introspection.

Journalism is a bastion of democracy: we must not let it crumble
Est. 7minThe European Economic and Social Committee is dedicating its top communication event to journalism this year. With the rapid rise of AI and media freedom in decline across the world, we need to talk about journalism more than ever.

The Brief – A fateful moment for the EU
Est. 7minThe famous Franco-German engine turns out to be a hybrid that suffers from too many complexities and downsides, conversely the far-right is stepping on the gas.

Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession: A step towards European unity
Est. 5minRomania and Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen Area in 2024 would not only bring economic benefits but also strengthen European solidarity and unity, marking a strong start for the European Commission in its new mandate.

The Brief – Antisemitism and Islamophobia thrive one year after 7 October
Est. 6minWith voters supporting even more extreme parties, the political polarisation on Gaza has further worsened.

The EU should rethink work beyond competitiveness
Est. 5minIn both the Draghi report and von der Leyen's mission letter to Roxana Mînzatu there is a strong focus on promoting productivity, competitiveness and, ultimately, economic growth - the “holy grail” of every economy. But if this is really our only understanding of what work is and the purpose it should serve, then we have taken a complete and utter wrong turn somewhere.

Europe has a duty to lead the green transition
Est. 5minThe next five years are crucial to the future of Europe. Reaching our 2030 target - namely, the reduction of greenhouse gases by 55% - will set the path for the following decades.

The Brief – The fall of Iran’s mullahs
Est. 7minIranian society is like a volcano, waiting to explode, dissent is reportedly growing over an array of political, social and economic crises.

BE PIONEERING: The benefits of unlocking the value of diagnostic innovation in Alzheimer’s
Est. 8minThere is an urgent need to improve access to new innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Embracing breakthroughs such as blood-based biomarker testing, has the potential to transform timely, accurate diagnosis for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems.

The Brief – Germany’s wrong holiday
Est. 7minAs Germany celebrates Unity Day, the mood in the country is at one of its lowest points in modern history, with fears concerning losing peace, prosperity, and social cohesion.

Showcasing the Excellence of SHEFEXIL Products from India: A true global benchmark for Quality and Competitiveness
Est. 9minIndia, in addition to being a land of diverse cultures and rich heritage, is also home to many superior-quality agri-based products and botanicals.

EU member states should endorse tariffs on Chinese EVs or risk undermining European interests and agency
Est. 6minEU member states should vote in favour of imposing definitive trade tariffs on China-made electric vehicles on Friday (4 October), as China will never take seriously a Europe that can be divided and conquered by waving a stick at fearful member states.

The Brief – France’s dirty talk on immigration
Est. 7minHome Affairs Minister Bruno Retailleau has been maximising airtime to push through an immigration narrative that, in many ways, echoes that of the far-right Rassemblement National.

Towards a sustainable, resilient and innovative EU food system
Est. 6minEU Specialty Food Ingredients, the voice of over 200 manufacturers of specialty food ingredients, calls upon the European Commission Presidency to clearly define its ambitions within the forthcoming "Vision for Agriculture and Food" publication.

The Brief – Starmer’s EU-UK ‘reset’ faces reality check after botched divorce
Est. 7minWith the Withdrawal Agreement not yet fully implemented and the Commission seeking answers, the UK prime minister may find his charm offensive in the member states does not land as well in Brussels.

How to build a union of equality?
Est. 5minThe mandate of the commissioner for equality should not only be continued but also strengthened with sufficient financial and human resources and more competencies.

Towards an EU Migraine Action Plan: Addressing the Significant Impact on European Citizens and the Economy
Est. 5minMigraine policy community launch EU Migraine Action Plan in a bid to address the huge individual and economic burden of migraine, an extremely common neurological disorder impacting 41 million adults.

The Brief – The blessing and the curse
Est. 7minIn his UN speech on Friday (27 September), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored that conflicts in the Middle East were a choice between "a blessing or a curse".

The End of Free Carbon Emissions: Why the Time is Right
Est. 4minAs governments, private sector leaders and NGOs gather for New York Climate Week this month, one theme is likely to dominate: the urgent need for immediate climate action.

Circular economy commissioner is a crucial step to a holistic EU vision for sustainable materials
Est. 4minThe appointment of a dedicated European Commissioner for Circular Economy competitiveness within Jessica Roswal's portfolio is a critical step forward in the EU's commitment to accelerating the transition to a circular economy. This new role addresses a significant gap in previous policy frameworks, where circular economy initiatives were often fragmented across various commissioners.

Speech by Chargé d’affaires Zhu Jing at the 2024 National Day Reception
Est. 6minChargé d’affaires Zhu Jing speaks at the 2024 National Day Reception in Brussels.

Is It time to talk about structural racism in Europe?
Est. 5minExtremist political reactions to the stabbing in Germany involving a Syrian asylum seeker and the anti-migrant riots in the UK are not just isolated incidents—they are the latest, painful reminders that something is deeply wrong in our society, writes Carmine Conte.

Prioritising healthy eating to prevent cardiovascular diseases
Est. 5minWith cardiovascular diseases the leading cause of death globally, prioritising management of the condition and preventative measures is critical to enhancing quality of life. On World Heart Day we highlight small lifestyle and dietary changes to better manage heart health.