August 2014

Greek Debt Deal Reached but Opens Pandora’s Box (7/14)

Tuesday, 14 July 2015 18:15

By James D. Spellman, Strategic Communications LLC

spellman Greece and the European Union early Monday (July 13) reached agreement on measures that aim to keep Greece within the Eurozone through financial assistance, debt relief, and rigorous oversight but require the country to implement quickly reforms that its ruling government and the electorate resoundingly rejected as too onerous only a week ago.

Securing acceptance by the Greek parliament by July 15 (Wednesday) and quickly reopening Greece’s banks with a cash infusion from the European Central Bank are among the many uncertainties the acrimonious, 31-hour-long talks left unresolved as a €3.5 billion loan repayment to the ECB comes due July 20. (By the afternoon on July 13, the European Central Bank signaled that it would leave its credit line to Greece’s banks in place at its current level.)

The War of the Roses—The French Government Reshuffles (8/28)

Sunday, 03 August 2014 12:30

By Jacqueline Grapin, Founder and Chairman of The European Institute, Writing from Paris

The symbol of the French socialist party is a rose, with each group on the left claiming to be personified by the rose. But recent political events demonstrate that several roses do not always make a bouquet.

The EU’s Newest Association Agreements – Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine (8/5)

Sunday, 03 August 2014 12:19

By Kelsey Fraser, Editorial Assistant

The recent signing of association agreements between the European Union and the nations of Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia signal a serious commitment by these former Soviet bloc countries to become more politically and economically aligned with the west.

All three of the agreements include the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTA) which will open up markets for most goods and services. In order to facilitate sustainable growth, the EU will provide frameworks for improving the current trade situation, modernizing the agricultural sector and providing guidance for better regulation of the financial sector in these countries.

Multiple Challenges for Bulgaria (8/8)

Sunday, 03 August 2014 12:25

By Kelsey Fraser, Editorial Assistant

The EU’s poorest member state, Bulgaria, has been buffeted by serious economic and political issues this year-- the ongoing battle over the status of the Bulgarian portion of the South Stream pipeline, a renewed banking crisis and the recent resignation of Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski on July 24. President Rosen Plevneliev has called for a snap election on October 5^th of this year.

European Institute

Greek Debt Deal Reached but Opens Pandora’s Box (7/14)

The War of the Roses—The French Government Reshuffles (8/28)

The EU’s Newest Association Agreements – Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine (8/5)

Multiple Challenges for Bulgaria (8/8)

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