The state of the economy, Turkey's EU hopes and proposals to charge lorries for using roads are among issues being debated by MEPs this week in Brussels. Online you will be able to read Members' views on e-voting and on the use of new media in election campaign. You can also catch up with a health check of Europe's fisheries policy. Read our interview with Evangelin Tzampazi about her report on mental health. Some of the issues on the agenda in Committee this week include: Recovery plan: Wednesday the Economics Committee will discuss proposals to boost the EU economy. EU-Turkey: MEPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee look at Turkey's progress in EU membership negotiations on Wednesday. Heavy goods vehicles: The "Eurovignette" law, which would allow countries to charge lorries for road use partly on the basis of the congestion and air and noise pollution they cause will be put to the vote in the Transport Committee on Wednesday.
After Sweden decided to scrap its ban against building new nuclear power plants, several politicians from Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) said Germany should do the same. "When European countries are planning to build nuclear plants again, Germany can't be the odd one out," CDU parliamentarian Katherina Reiche, told Bild am Sonntag newspaper. Sweden announced last week that it was revoking a 1980 referendum decision to phase out nuclear power. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and the leaders of the three other parties in the coalition described the deal as "historic." The Swedish government, which took office in October 2006, had initially agreed not to discuss building more reactors or decommissioning any of the 10 reactors currently operated during its current four-year term. The debate about climate change and need to secure long-term energy production, however, forced the rethink.
"When European countries are planning to build nuclear plants again, Germany can't be the odd one out," CDU parliamentarian Katherina Reiche, told Bild am Sonntag newspaper.
Sweden announced last week that it was revoking a 1980 referendum decision to phase out nuclear power. Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt and the leaders of the three other parties in the coalition described the deal as "historic."
The Swedish government, which took office in October 2006, had initially agreed not to discuss building more reactors or decommissioning any of the 10 reactors currently operated during its current four-year term. The debate about climate change and need to secure long-term energy production, however, forced the rethink.
Frankreich, Italien, Großbritannien und jetzt auch Schweden: Alle großen EU-Staaten planen neue Kernkraftwerke
Nuclear Owners Guilty of Leaks "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin
German Economy Minister Michael Glos has resigned and will be succeeded by a fellow Bavarian conservative, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, party sources told SPIEGEL ONLINE. The chaotic handling of his resignation has prompted criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel. Germany's Economy Minister Michael Glos has resigned following months of criticism of his handling of the financial crisis and, according to SPIEGEL ONLINE sources, he will be replaced by fellow Bavarian politician Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.Glos is reported to have been frustrated at being sidelined in the handling of the financial crisis. Glos, a member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, had tendered his resignation on Saturday but his request was initially refused by CSU leader Horst Seehofer. Merkel too is reported to have rejected his resignation at first, which effectively left the running of a major German ministry in limbo at a time when Germany is facing its worst economic downturn since World War II. That prompted criticism of Merkel's leadership by opposition parties and by the center-left Social Democrats, who share power with Merkel's conservatives.
German Economy Minister Michael Glos has resigned and will be succeeded by a fellow Bavarian conservative, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, party sources told SPIEGEL ONLINE. The chaotic handling of his resignation has prompted criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Germany's Economy Minister Michael Glos has resigned following months of criticism of his handling of the financial crisis and, according to SPIEGEL ONLINE sources, he will be replaced by fellow Bavarian politician Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg.
Glos is reported to have been frustrated at being sidelined in the handling of the financial crisis. Glos, a member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, had tendered his resignation on Saturday but his request was initially refused by CSU leader Horst Seehofer.
Merkel too is reported to have rejected his resignation at first, which effectively left the running of a major German ministry in limbo at a time when Germany is facing its worst economic downturn since World War II. That prompted criticism of Merkel's leadership by opposition parties and by the center-left Social Democrats, who share power with Merkel's conservatives.
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, a rising star in Bavarian politics, will be tapped as Germany's next economics minister. Zu Guttenberg will have the unenviable task of guiding Germany out of a deep recession. Zu Guttenberg, 37, will take over the top post at Germany's economy ministry, Berlin sources said Monday, Feb. 9, eight months before the German general election. He would replace Michael Glos, 64, who suddenly said Saturday he wanted to leave after tension with Bavarian Premier Horst Seehofer, the leader of both men's Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU). The CSU is a key partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition.
Zu Guttenberg, 37, will take over the top post at Germany's economy ministry, Berlin sources said Monday, Feb. 9, eight months before the German general election.
He would replace Michael Glos, 64, who suddenly said Saturday he wanted to leave after tension with Bavarian Premier Horst Seehofer, the leader of both men's Bavaria-only Christian Social Union (CSU). The CSU is a key partner in Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling coalition.
The confusion surrounding the resignation of German Economy Minister Michael Glos has highlighted weaknesses and divisions in Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives seven months before a general election, say media commentators. Michael Glos never wanted the job as German economy minister and made no secret of that fact from the start in November 2005, when he was browbeat into taking the position after Bavaria's then-governor Edmund Stoiber decided he didn't want to do it himself. Some say Merkel's leadership was lacking in the recent cabinet confusion. Glos never really came to grips with the job and his frustration at being repeatedly ignored by Chancellor Angela Merkel intensified when the financial crisis engulfed the German banking system late last year. She worked out all the rescue and stimulus packages with Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück rather than with him. Glos, a prominent member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Merkel's Christian Democrats, also didn't get on with the imperious new leader of the CSU, Horst Seehofer, who has been trying to revamp the CSU following its poor performance in a regional election last September.
The confusion surrounding the resignation of German Economy Minister Michael Glos has highlighted weaknesses and divisions in Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives seven months before a general election, say media commentators.
Michael Glos never wanted the job as German economy minister and made no secret of that fact from the start in November 2005, when he was browbeat into taking the position after Bavaria's then-governor Edmund Stoiber decided he didn't want to do it himself.
Some say Merkel's leadership was lacking in the recent cabinet confusion. Glos never really came to grips with the job and his frustration at being repeatedly ignored by Chancellor Angela Merkel intensified when the financial crisis engulfed the German banking system late last year. She worked out all the rescue and stimulus packages with Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück rather than with him.
Glos, a prominent member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Merkel's Christian Democrats, also didn't get on with the imperious new leader of the CSU, Horst Seehofer, who has been trying to revamp the CSU following its poor performance in a regional election last September.
[System.Is.Broken Alert] In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS - The Nordic countries - Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland - could pool military forces, maritime monitoring and satellite surveillance, a report commissioned by the five foreign ministers says. Drafted by former Norwegian foreign minister Thorvald Stoltenberg, the study out on Monday (9 February) puts forward 13 proposals to be endorsed at a Nordic foreign ministers meeting in Reykjavik in April. Nordic countries are keen to strengthen common military and security co-operation "All Nordic ministers welcomed the report," Urdur Gunnarsdottir, press officer with the Icelandic ministry of foreign affairs told the EUobserver. Out of the five countries, Denmark, Finland and Sweden are EU members. Denmark is also in NATO, with Sweden eyeing membership. Norway and Iceland meanwhile are in NATO but not in the EU.
EUOBSERVER/BRUSSELS - The Nordic countries - Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland - could pool military forces, maritime monitoring and satellite surveillance, a report commissioned by the five foreign ministers says.
Drafted by former Norwegian foreign minister Thorvald Stoltenberg, the study out on Monday (9 February) puts forward 13 proposals to be endorsed at a Nordic foreign ministers meeting in Reykjavik in April.
Nordic countries are keen to strengthen common military and security co-operation
"All Nordic ministers welcomed the report," Urdur Gunnarsdottir, press officer with the Icelandic ministry of foreign affairs told the EUobserver.
Out of the five countries, Denmark, Finland and Sweden are EU members. Denmark is also in NATO, with Sweden eyeing membership. Norway and Iceland meanwhile are in NATO but not in the EU.
Norway's former Defense and Foreign Minister Thorvald Stoltenberg has proposed a 13-point plan for military and civilian cooperation between the five Nordic countries. One of the Nordic region's grey eminences, former Norwegian Defence and Foreign Minister Thorvald Stoltenberg, has presented his report on potential Nordic cooperation in foreign and security policy, including proposals for a joint military and civilian force that could help stabilise countries in the throes of national unrest. A report on Nordic cooperation calls for shared responsibility in a number of things, including air surveillance, air patrolling and maritime monitoring. Commissioned by the Nordic foreign ministers, Stoltenberg's 13-point plan includes proposals for a Nordic Stabilisation Task Force to address some of the new security challenges facing the UN and the international community that would be deployed to states affected by major internal unrest. "The task force should have four components: a military component, a humanitarian component, a statebuilding component (including police officers, judges, prison officers, election observers) and a development assistance component," the report says.
Norway's former Defense and Foreign Minister Thorvald Stoltenberg has proposed a 13-point plan for military and civilian cooperation between the five Nordic countries.
One of the Nordic region's grey eminences, former Norwegian Defence and Foreign Minister Thorvald Stoltenberg, has presented his report on potential Nordic cooperation in foreign and security policy, including proposals for a joint military and civilian force that could help stabilise countries in the throes of national unrest.
A report on Nordic cooperation calls for shared responsibility in a number of things, including air surveillance, air patrolling and maritime monitoring. Commissioned by the Nordic foreign ministers, Stoltenberg's 13-point plan includes proposals for a Nordic Stabilisation Task Force to address some of the new security challenges facing the UN and the international community that would be deployed to states affected by major internal unrest.
"The task force should have four components: a military component, a humanitarian component, a statebuilding component (including police officers, judges, prison officers, election observers) and a development assistance component," the report says.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU's highest court is on Tuesday (10 February) to deliver judgment on a case that will determine the fate of the bloc's controversial data retention law. Judges at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg are deciding on whether the law, which allows telecom operators to keep EU citizens' phone and internet data for up to two years, can be allowed to continue. The data retention law has been the focus of strong critiism by civil liberties groups The case concerns a technicality rather than the substance of the law, which has been the focal point of strong criticism by civil liberties groups. Ireland took the case before the court arguing that it had been made on the wrong legal premiss. Dublin says the law should have been subject to an intergovernmental agreement between member states, requiring unanimity.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The EU's highest court is on Tuesday (10 February) to deliver judgment on a case that will determine the fate of the bloc's controversial data retention law.
Judges at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg are deciding on whether the law, which allows telecom operators to keep EU citizens' phone and internet data for up to two years, can be allowed to continue.
The data retention law has been the focus of strong critiism by civil liberties groups
The case concerns a technicality rather than the substance of the law, which has been the focal point of strong criticism by civil liberties groups.
Ireland took the case before the court arguing that it had been made on the wrong legal premiss.
Dublin says the law should have been subject to an intergovernmental agreement between member states, requiring unanimity.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The recent gas crisis showcased Russia's new "public diplomacy" in the use of public relations companies and the style of its EU ambassador. But the Kremlin-Gazprom brand has its competitors and remains tricky to sell. The Kremlin hired Brussels-based PR firm GPlus back in 2006 to update media relations. Russia's gas monopoly, Gazprom, signed a separate deal for media handling and government advocacy in 2007. The annual contracts, due for renewal in spring and autumn, cover GPlus work in Brussels and Paris as well as subcontracts with consultancies Dimap in Berlin and Reti in Rome. Russian Prime Minister Putin showing his casual side GPlus says its pro-Russia lobbying with EU institutions is worth less than €200,000 a year. Competitors estimate the contracts are worth €3 million to €5 million a year in total in fees alone, excluding expenses for hiring venues for press conferences or lunches with contacts. GPlus specialises in hiring former EU officials and eminent journalists. Gregor Kreuzhuber, who leads the Gazprom account, was previously European Commission industry spokesman. Peter Witt, a senior advisor for both clients, is a retired German deputy ambassador to the EU. Angus Roxburgh covered the war in Chechnya for the BBC.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The recent gas crisis showcased Russia's new "public diplomacy" in the use of public relations companies and the style of its EU ambassador. But the Kremlin-Gazprom brand has its competitors and remains tricky to sell.
The Kremlin hired Brussels-based PR firm GPlus back in 2006 to update media relations. Russia's gas monopoly, Gazprom, signed a separate deal for media handling and government advocacy in 2007. The annual contracts, due for renewal in spring and autumn, cover GPlus work in Brussels and Paris as well as subcontracts with consultancies Dimap in Berlin and Reti in Rome.
Russian Prime Minister Putin showing his casual side
GPlus says its pro-Russia lobbying with EU institutions is worth less than €200,000 a year. Competitors estimate the contracts are worth €3 million to €5 million a year in total in fees alone, excluding expenses for hiring venues for press conferences or lunches with contacts.
GPlus specialises in hiring former EU officials and eminent journalists. Gregor Kreuzhuber, who leads the Gazprom account, was previously European Commission industry spokesman. Peter Witt, a senior advisor for both clients, is a retired German deputy ambassador to the EU. Angus Roxburgh covered the war in Chechnya for the BBC.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - An EU-Russia meeting designed to improve post-gas crisis ties went wrong on Friday (6 January), when European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso clashed with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin over human rights. A visibly angry Mr Putin during a press conference in Moscow censured the commission chief for having discussed "legal matters" with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in a bilateral meeting in his absence earlier the same day. Mr Barroso: the Moscow talks were intended to mend fences "We need to discuss the full range of problems - both in Russia and in Europe - in order to be able to solve them," Mr Putin said, accusing EU states of themselves mistreating Russian ethnic minorities, prisoners and migrants. "In [EU] public opinion there is some concern regarding some recent events that happened in Russia. Namely, the murder of some journalists and some rights activists," Mr Barroso replied in bullish tones. "Human rights and rule of law are much more important than diplomacy between two states."
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - An EU-Russia meeting designed to improve post-gas crisis ties went wrong on Friday (6 January), when European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso clashed with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin over human rights.
A visibly angry Mr Putin during a press conference in Moscow censured the commission chief for having discussed "legal matters" with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in a bilateral meeting in his absence earlier the same day.
Mr Barroso: the Moscow talks were intended to mend fences
"We need to discuss the full range of problems - both in Russia and in Europe - in order to be able to solve them," Mr Putin said, accusing EU states of themselves mistreating Russian ethnic minorities, prisoners and migrants.
"In [EU] public opinion there is some concern regarding some recent events that happened in Russia. Namely, the murder of some journalists and some rights activists," Mr Barroso replied in bullish tones. "Human rights and rule of law are much more important than diplomacy between two states."
What did he think he was trying to achieve ? Seriously was he drunk ? you can behave like a prick in front of tin pot potentates, but pissing off the the guy who has his hand on your gas-tap in the name of "improving" relations is pretty dumb. keep to the Fen Causeway
But pray, remind me, is it the individual or cumulative benefits of America's hand on the tap of irreplaceable HP and Apple computers, extraordinary rendition, Google and eBay, toxic tranch'd investments, Microsoft and Hollywood movies, the continuous blowback of her constant Geneva Protocol violations and a bloated NATO that you would miss? Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
We are dependent upon russia for a substantial portion of our energy, so a certain amount of public making nice is compulsory. Public dressing downs are the stuff of diplomatic nightmares and suggest a level of contempt and indifference that does not represent our actual trade relationship. keep to the Fen Causeway
Allowing Putin's regime to fall would help not only the Russian people but also the world's poisoned economic climate. The downfall of a regime that has trampled on moral values for a decade would signal change. Last June, when Russian Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin was invited to open this year's World Economic Forum confab of business and political leaders in Davos, he surely expected to be speaking from a position of strength. Seven months later oil prices have plunged, the Russian stock market has collapsed, and the ruble is in free fall. Instead of reasoned discourse, what the audience got on Jan. 28 was bluster, blame, and a cry for help.
Allowing Putin's regime to fall would help not only the Russian people but also the world's poisoned economic climate. The downfall of a regime that has trampled on moral values for a decade would signal change.
Last June, when Russian Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin was invited to open this year's World Economic Forum confab of business and political leaders in Davos, he surely expected to be speaking from a position of strength. Seven months later oil prices have plunged, the Russian stock market has collapsed, and the ruble is in free fall. Instead of reasoned discourse, what the audience got on Jan. 28 was bluster, blame, and a cry for help.
Allowing Garry Kasparov's agenda to fail would help not only the Russian people but also the world's poisoned political climate. The downfall of an agenda that has trampled on our intelligence for years would signal change. Last year, when chess champion and Russian version of Ahmed Chalabi staged his own arrest for political theater, he surely expected to be speaking from a position of strength. Months later the US economy has collapsed, Russian Federation has exposed the US-backed government in Georgia for the fools they are, and Kyrgyzstan is closing US airbases in return for Russian aid. Instead of reasoned discourse, what the audience got was bluster, blame, and a cry for help from Kasparov.
Last year, when chess champion and Russian version of Ahmed Chalabi staged his own arrest for political theater, he surely expected to be speaking from a position of strength. Months later the US economy has collapsed, Russian Federation has exposed the US-backed government in Georgia for the fools they are, and Kyrgyzstan is closing US airbases in return for Russian aid. Instead of reasoned discourse, what the audience got was bluster, blame, and a cry for help from Kasparov.
Liechtenstein's Prime Minister Otmar Hasler resigned Sunday, Feb. 8, after losing power in an election in the Alpine principality. Hasler, the head of the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), quit after his party came second with 43.5 percent of the vote. The FBP had governed the landlocked micro-state -- famous for its secretive banking sector -- in coalition with the Fatherland Union (VU). The VU gained 9.4 percent to score 47.6 percent of the vote and overtake the FBP. The largest party in the 25-member Landtag parliament in the capital, Vaduz, now has the right to nominate the head of government, and two cabinet ministers. The smaller party nominates the deputy prime minister. There are 18,600 eligible voters in Liechtenstein, which hit the headlines last year after German authorities paid a whistleblower to reveal details of tax avoidance by wealthy citizens from various EU countries.
Hasler, the head of the Progressive Citizens' Party (FBP), quit after his party came second with 43.5 percent of the vote. The FBP had governed the landlocked micro-state -- famous for its secretive banking sector -- in coalition with the Fatherland Union (VU).
The VU gained 9.4 percent to score 47.6 percent of the vote and overtake the FBP.
The largest party in the 25-member Landtag parliament in the capital, Vaduz, now has the right to nominate the head of government, and two cabinet ministers. The smaller party nominates the deputy prime minister.
There are 18,600 eligible voters in Liechtenstein, which hit the headlines last year after German authorities paid a whistleblower to reveal details of tax avoidance by wealthy citizens from various EU countries.
France's potential return to NATO's military structures would harm the country's independence and would be "a defeat for France," and for Europe, Francois Bayrou, leader of the opposition Democratic Movement party has said. Such a choice "must be made by a referendum of the French people," he added.
Not.
Prague has reacted with anger to remarks made by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on moving French car companies back from the Czech Republic, saying the comments endanger ratification of the EU treaty in the central European member state. "If someone wanted to really jeopardise the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, he could not have chosen a better way and a better time," Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek told the Hospodarske Noviny daily, reports AFP. French-Czech relations have soured since the handover of EU presidency responsibilities Calling the remarks "incredible", Mr Topolanek said: "I don't want to scaremonger, I will vote in favour of Lisbon, but here is a big country taking decisions on what will affect our lives." In an unusual step, Prague, which currently holds the EU presidency, also released an official statement on the issue.
Prague has reacted with anger to remarks made by French President Nicolas Sarkozy on moving French car companies back from the Czech Republic, saying the comments endanger ratification of the EU treaty in the central European member state.
"If someone wanted to really jeopardise the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, he could not have chosen a better way and a better time," Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek told the Hospodarske Noviny daily, reports AFP.
French-Czech relations have soured since the handover of EU presidency responsibilities
Calling the remarks "incredible", Mr Topolanek said: "I don't want to scaremonger, I will vote in favour of Lisbon, but here is a big country taking decisions on what will affect our lives."
In an unusual step, Prague, which currently holds the EU presidency, also released an official statement on the issue.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has told car companies set to get a 6 billion euro government loan that they should keep jobs in France. That has enraged the Czech Republic, a major producer of French cars. The French auto industry is set to secure a 6 billion euros ($7.75 billion) government loan Monday, Feb. 9, as it struggles to stay afloat during a global financial crisis. As part of the deal, France's two largest automakers, Renault and Peugeot-Citroen, will reportedly agree not to outsource car production to low-wage countries. During the period of the five-year loan, the companies have agreed not to shut any French factory or outsource production abroad, according to news reports. The outsourcing was a sticking point in getting an accord, the French daily Le Figaro wrote.The head of PSA Peugeot Citroen, Christian Streiff, feels it is impossible to make such promises, according to the newspaper report.
The French auto industry is set to secure a 6 billion euros ($7.75 billion) government loan Monday, Feb. 9, as it struggles to stay afloat during a global financial crisis. As part of the deal, France's two largest automakers, Renault and Peugeot-Citroen, will reportedly agree not to outsource car production to low-wage countries.
During the period of the five-year loan, the companies have agreed not to shut any French factory or outsource production abroad, according to news reports.
The outsourcing was a sticking point in getting an accord, the French daily Le Figaro wrote.The head of PSA Peugeot Citroen, Christian Streiff, feels it is impossible to make such promises, according to the newspaper report.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - For the first time ever, the president of the European Commission joined the Munich security conference over the weekend, a meeting of European, US and Russian leaders. Jose Manuel Barroso's presence fell somewhat under the radar, with his lunch speech not published on the conference website, along with the stars of the event: US vice-president Joseph Biden, French president Nicolas Sarkozy, German chancellor Angela Merkel, NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Czech EU presidency representative Alexander Vondra. Jose Manuel Barroso (l) was somewhat overshadowed by other prominent leaders at the Munich security conference. "I believe this is the first time a president of the European Commission has been invited to speak at the Munich Security Conference. Could this mean the Commission is thinking of strengthening its divisions of bureaucrats with those of the military kind? Or in fact does it mean that the security dimension is widening beyond its hard military core?" Mr Barroso said in his speech, sent to the media in a press release. He stressed the need for multilateralism, as the "only way" to tackle current security threats ranging from financial turmoil to terrorism and from energy security to climate change.
EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - For the first time ever, the president of the European Commission joined the Munich security conference over the weekend, a meeting of European, US and Russian leaders.
Jose Manuel Barroso's presence fell somewhat under the radar, with his lunch speech not published on the conference website, along with the stars of the event: US vice-president Joseph Biden, French president Nicolas Sarkozy, German chancellor Angela Merkel, NATO secretary general Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and Czech EU presidency representative Alexander Vondra.
Jose Manuel Barroso (l) was somewhat overshadowed by other prominent leaders at the Munich security conference.
"I believe this is the first time a president of the European Commission has been invited to speak at the Munich Security Conference. Could this mean the Commission is thinking of strengthening its divisions of bureaucrats with those of the military kind? Or in fact does it mean that the security dimension is widening beyond its hard military core?" Mr Barroso said in his speech, sent to the media in a press release.
He stressed the need for multilateralism, as the "only way" to tackle current security threats ranging from financial turmoil to terrorism and from energy security to climate change.
A van loaded with a bomb has exploded near a conference centre and railway line in the east of Spain's capital, Madrid, reportedly causing no injuries. The bomb exploded outside the Campo de las Naciones at around 0900 (0800 GMT), about 90 minutes after a warning was received by the Spanish Red Cross. Police were able to cordon off the entire area and clear the trade fair centre before the blast occurred. The Spanish authorities have blamed the Basque separatist movement, Eta.
A van loaded with a bomb has exploded near a conference centre and railway line in the east of Spain's capital, Madrid, reportedly causing no injuries.
The bomb exploded outside the Campo de las Naciones at around 0900 (0800 GMT), about 90 minutes after a warning was received by the Spanish Red Cross.
Police were able to cordon off the entire area and clear the trade fair centre before the blast occurred.
The Spanish authorities have blamed the Basque separatist movement, Eta.
German enthusiasm for the new US administration could soon fade. The Americans made it very clear at the Munich Security Conference that they expect solidarity from their European allies -- and that means blood, sweat and tears. This year, it's going to be hard to escape the slew of German anniversaries. The list includes the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest 2,000 years ago, the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II 70 years ago, the founding of East and West Germany 60 years ago and the fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago. In 2009, hardly any other country in the world will spend so much time intensively examining its own past as Germany. German troops in Afghanistan: Berlin is learning that Obama expects more from America's allies. At the Munich Security Conference, which ran from Friday to Sunday, politicians from all over the world dared to take a look into the future. As difficult as forcasts might be in this time of terrorist threats, global financial meltdown and innumerable intractable regional conflicts, one prediction can be safely made: The phase of German military intervention that began 10 years ago during the Kosovo war is in no way coming to an end, despite the fact the majority of Germans wish it would. On the contrary: The era of foreign deployments for Germans and their military forces has just begun.
German enthusiasm for the new US administration could soon fade. The Americans made it very clear at the Munich Security Conference that they expect solidarity from their European allies -- and that means blood, sweat and tears.
This year, it's going to be hard to escape the slew of German anniversaries. The list includes the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest 2,000 years ago, the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II 70 years ago, the founding of East and West Germany 60 years ago and the fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago. In 2009, hardly any other country in the world will spend so much time intensively examining its own past as Germany.
German troops in Afghanistan: Berlin is learning that Obama expects more from America's allies. At the Munich Security Conference, which ran from Friday to Sunday, politicians from all over the world dared to take a look into the future. As difficult as forcasts might be in this time of terrorist threats, global financial meltdown and innumerable intractable regional conflicts, one prediction can be safely made: The phase of German military intervention that began 10 years ago during the Kosovo war is in no way coming to an end, despite the fact the majority of Germans wish it would. On the contrary: The era of foreign deployments for Germans and their military forces has just begun.
Nordic foreign ministers gathered in Oslo on Monday to discuss an independent report on Nordic cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy. The report, created by a group of independent experts and compiled by Norwegian Foreign Minister Thorvald Stoltenberg, outlines the creation of a pan-Nordic stabilisation force.
Wild weather across southern Europe this week is expected to produce a record amount of renewable electricity. As Spaniards were today warned to batten down windows in order to fend off fierce Atlantic gales, the country's electricity distributors were anticipating a windfall - a huge boost in power generation from the country's wind farms. Spain has built so many wind farms in recent years that the arrival of high winds and the subsequent surge of electricity into the national grid now has an immediate impact on the price at which it is sold... Spain added another 11% to its wind-power capacity last year. That increase contributed to a year in which wind power accounted for 43% of new generation capacity - more new electricity capacity in Europe than any other source.
Spain has built so many wind farms in recent years that the arrival of high winds and the subsequent surge of electricity into the national grid now has an immediate impact on the price at which it is sold...
Spain added another 11% to its wind-power capacity last year. That increase contributed to a year in which wind power accounted for 43% of new generation capacity - more new electricity capacity in Europe than any other source.
The new passengers reflect a revolution in Spanish travel. Domestic airlines have lost a fifth of their passengers in the space of a year. And long-distance trains have gained almost a third. This shift is the consequence of an ambitious programme for high-speed rail. The streamlined AVE trains, with their sleek corridors, work tables and spectacular views, are stealing the show. Those used to the tedious taxi rides, security checks and crowded shuttle flights traditionally endured by Spanish businessmen will not be surprised. The opening of the Barcelona-Madrid line a year ago marked the beginning of the end of airlines' dominance... Spain's high-speed network is still in its infancy. Another 9,000km of lines are planned over the next decade. The aim is to create Europe's most extensive high-speed network, with 90% of Spaniards living within 50km of a station. Shifting people on to high-speed trains has needed both careful planning and political consensus. When José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's Socialist government proudly opens new stations, it is often reaping rewards sown by previous administrations. But Mr Zapatero's commitment cannot be faulted. New lines are being built in every corner of the country. Under a recent agreement the network will even be extended into Portugal.
This shift is the consequence of an ambitious programme for high-speed rail. The streamlined AVE trains, with their sleek corridors, work tables and spectacular views, are stealing the show. Those used to the tedious taxi rides, security checks and crowded shuttle flights traditionally endured by Spanish businessmen will not be surprised. The opening of the Barcelona-Madrid line a year ago marked the beginning of the end of airlines' dominance...
Spain's high-speed network is still in its infancy. Another 9,000km of lines are planned over the next decade. The aim is to create Europe's most extensive high-speed network, with 90% of Spaniards living within 50km of a station.
Shifting people on to high-speed trains has needed both careful planning and political consensus. When José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's Socialist government proudly opens new stations, it is often reaping rewards sown by previous administrations. But Mr Zapatero's commitment cannot be faulted. New lines are being built in every corner of the country. Under a recent agreement the network will even be extended into Portugal.
That these trains need "both careful planning and political consensus" almost guarantees that such lines will never be built in the U.S.A... No wonder during last year's campaign McCain said he would refuse to meet with Zapatero.
"Tweet, meet, and give" is the vision of the global Twitter festival simply named Twestival, which will be hosted by 175 cities around the world on February 12. Organisers intend to bring together the members of the Twitter communities for an exciting evening and to raise money and awareness for charity - water. "The key principle of the project is solidarity," explained Christian De Neef, coordinator of the Brussels Twestival. Twitter is an online service for friends, family, co-workers to communicate and stay in touch just through typing an answer on the basic question `What are you doing?' It is increasingly becoming a powerful communication tool, which can connect, mobilise and inform people around the world instantly. It is exactly these phenomena that the Twestival organizers are utilising, to support a good cause. The Twestival is an event at which all people interested in giving to the charity, and who participate in social media can integrate offline, meet with their virtual friends, enjoy some entertainment or socialise with other supporters of the charity project. "As a main idea of the whole project I would stress that all money raised from the cities all over the world will go directly to the charity ... so we all can help the poorest countries. Moreover the Twestival is a great chance to meet your friends but also to socialize with other people, who you know just from the on-line world. It is a time to meet face to face," said Bente Kalsnes, an organiser of the Brussels Twestival. The overall benefit collected in single twestival cities is to support projects trying to ensure an access to a safe drinking water in countries suffering a serious water supply and distribution shortages. Channeled through Charity: water, a non-profit organisation bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations by funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need, the amount gathered is to be invested in construction of wells.
It is increasingly becoming a powerful communication tool, which can connect, mobilise and inform people around the world instantly. It is exactly these phenomena that the Twestival organizers are utilising, to support a good cause. The Twestival is an event at which all people interested in giving to the charity, and who participate in social media can integrate offline, meet with their virtual friends, enjoy some entertainment or socialise with other supporters of the charity project. "As a main idea of the whole project I would stress that all money raised from the cities all over the world will go directly to the charity ... so we all can help the poorest countries.
Moreover the Twestival is a great chance to meet your friends but also to socialize with other people, who you know just from the on-line world. It is a time to meet face to face," said Bente Kalsnes, an organiser of the Brussels Twestival. The overall benefit collected in single twestival cities is to support projects trying to ensure an access to a safe drinking water in countries suffering a serious water supply and distribution shortages. Channeled through Charity: water, a non-profit organisation bringing clean, safe drinking water to people in developing nations by funding sustainable clean water solutions in areas of greatest need, the amount gathered is to be invested in construction of wells.
