Category: Political Affairs
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“For Europe to recover, SMEs need to recover.” – The European Commission announces SME Relief Package
The SMEs of Europe have been facing difficult times in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty, restrictions forced many businesses to temporarily close down, while other sectors were affected by supply-chain shortages. After the brief recovery period that followed the pandemic, the world economy and SMEs are now facing new challenges: inflation, skyrocketing energy…
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Our interview with H.E. Ms. Gaitri Ambassador of India to the Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU on India-EU economic, political and cultural relations
In October 2017, the 14th India-EU Summit was unable to set in motion the stalled negotiations for concluding the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), or Broad Based Trade and Investment agreement (BTIA). According to you, what are the main obstacles to the conclusion of an agreement? Trade has been an integral part of the EU…
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Our interview with MEP and Friends of New Europeans member Wim Van de Camp: His valuable insight on EU trade and entrepreneurship policies
As a substitute member of the INTA Committee, what would it be in your opinion the main challenge in EU Trade Policy in 2018? European trade is facing two big challenges in my opinion. We face an unpredictable US administration and a complex relation with China. I think that particularly Chinese investments in Europe are going to…
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Commissioner Oettinger’s insight on the EU long-term budget after 2020: Swift and comprehensive agreement essential
In the run-up of the upcoming proposal for the future Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) beyond 2020, Commissioner Oettinger in charge of the Budget and Human Resources shared with us his insight on the matter: “In less than two months (2 May) we will propose the long-term EU Budget financial perspectives beyond2020, post Brexit. What seems to be…
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4th European Migration Forum: Towards a more inclusive labour market for migrants: Seizing the potential by addressing the challenges
The 4th European Migration Forum – the dialogue platform on migration, asylum and migrant integration – took place on 6 March and was organized around the theme “Towards a more inclusive labour market for migrants: Seizing the potential by addressing the challenges”. The EMF is a platform for dialogue between civil society and the European…
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All Together to celebrate the International Women’s Day: Our interview with Commissioner Thyssen on the situation of women in politics and in the labour market
Since 1991, you have worked in the European institutions – for 22 years as a member of the European Parliament and since 2014 as the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility. How would you say the situation of women in politics at EU level has evolved since you started? Much has…
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All Together to celebrate the International Women’s Day: An inspirational discussion with Assita Kanko on women in politics and her will to empower women
The International Women’s Day is an occasion to rethink today’s role of women and the current general perception of women in leading positions. What do you believe are the main stereotypes that women have to face in politics? According to you, what is the best way for women to face and overcome these misconceptions? People…
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Our interview with Commissioner Andriukaitis: Insights on the management of the health-related challenges of migration
During the April 2014 informal EPSCO Council meeting in Athens, the Health Ministers decided to improve the access to healthcare for all migrants, and stressed the need for “special health services for particularly vulnerable migrant groups “. Which initiatives were put in place to ensure these objectives? I remember this EPSCO meeting as I was…
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Everything (or nearly) you should know about next week’s 48th World Economic Forum
From 23 to 26 January 2018, more than 2,500 participants – heads of state and government, presidents of international organizations, CEOs, representatives of civil society, reporters and experts – will meet in Davos for the 48th World Economic Forum (WEF) around the theme “Creating shared future in a fractured world “. While the debate on…
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Watchdog of the EU: Interview with the EU Ombudsman
Emily O’Reilly is now on her second term as European Ombudsman. UNITEE had the rare opportunity of interviewing her on the work she does in her institution.