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9 February 2010
CER breakfast meeting to launch
'Germany opens Pandora's box', London |
(L to R) Kori Schake, Lord Robertson and Franklin Miller |
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In November 2009, the German government called for the removal of all US nuclear weapons from Germany. But Germany should not claim protection from NATO's nuclear umbrella without sharing the risks associated with hosting nuclear weapons. In addition, removing tactical nuclear weapons would destabilise the alliance: Turkey could feel compelled to develop its own nuclear weapons, while some NATO members in Central Europe would feel even more threatened by Russia. Nevertheless the German proposal could have some merit if it encouraged NATO and Russia to start talks on reducing their tactical nuclear arsenals. |
Germany is chastised for stance on nuclear arms
article by Judy Dempsey, New York Times, 8 February 2010 |
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The broad orientation of the Commission's economic policy is unlikely to change. It will continue to defend the single market, free trade and a tough competition policy. However, the economic policies of the Commission and the EU as a whole will inevitably reflect the economic backdrop of slow growth and high unemployment. The most pressing immediate challenge for the Commission is to help prevent Greece or another eurozone member defaulting on its debt. Another will be to draw up a convincing 'EU 2020' programme of economic reform. A third challenge will be to reconcile pressure from member-states for more activist industrial policies with a defence of the single market and adherence to an independent competition policy. |
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| The looming deadlock in Turkey's EU accession bid stands in contrast with its increasingly active role in the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia. Some observers worry that Ankara is turning away from the West and is instead pursuing a 'neo-Ottoman' or 'Islamist' foreign policy. Turkey should be able to combine its EU aspirations with its re-emergence as a regional power - provided it maintains its western bonds and continue internal modernisation. The EU, meanwhile, must keep the membership talks moving forward while finding a way of co-operating with Ankara in foreign policy that goes beyond the narrow confines of the accession process. |
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In 2008, the global financial system came close to collapse. Ever since, policy-makers have been busy overhauling the way it is regulated and supervised. Will this flurry of activity produce a more stable financial system – and if it does, at what cost? Many of the changes afoot are desirable. But the reform agenda suffers from three flaws: side-issues are getting more attention than they deserve; regulation is doing all the heavy lifting; and not enough attention is being paid to the combined impact of all the changes underway. The regulatory burden is rising, therefore, but policy may not be taking the optimal path to greater stability. To do so, the reform agenda needs to be guided by a clearer sense of priorities.
press release |
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'West Bank first' approach has failed
article by Clara Marina O'Donnell, European Voice, 4 February 2010
Hugo Brady: Europeans probably need to accept they have missed an opportunity
article by Hugo Brady, The Independent, 3 February 2010
Europe cannot afford to let Greece default
article by Simon Tilford, Financial Times, 15 January 2010
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