European Policy Centre

18/09/2024

⏳ SAVE THE DATE | Greening the EU’s agri-food agenda: What is the role for digitalisation?

Join Doris Marquardt, Programme Officer, Internet of Things, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, EC | Dr. Joelle Herforth-Rahme, senior scientist at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture | Olivier de Matos, director general at CropLife Europe | Evangelia Mourmoura, Team Leader, Digitalisation, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, EC | and Sébastien Pérel, policy advisor, for the European Council of Young Farmers in this policy dialogue moderated by EPC's Head of Sustainable Prosperity for Europe Programme, Stefan Sipka.

The current climate change and ecological crises highlight the need to make our food systems more sustainable and resilient and reduce their impact on land and resources. Data and digital solutions have great potential to green the entire agri-food supply chain. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, robots, sensors, blockchain, apps, and online platforms could revolutionise the agri-food sector.

They could help reduce its environmental footprint, optimise operations, boost food productivity, promote sustainable diets, reduce food waste, and enhance the EU’s food security. While digital solutions are already in use to some extent, utilising their full capacity to align EU’s green and agri-food agendas is still work in progress.

Register today in the link below 👇

Greening the EU’s agri-food agenda: What is the role for digitalisation?

16/09/2024

📢 New publication | Finding Economic Security Through Growth

In his report on EU competitiveness, Mario Draghi highlights a critical issue for Europe's future: without economic security, sustained growth is unattainable. According to Draghi, the EU’s dependence on external resources and technologies is a serious vulnerability that must be addressed.

In this commentary, Varg Lukas Folkman, Policy Analyst at the EPC explores Draghi’s proposals, including recommendations on foreign economic policy, critical raw materials, and retooling EU competition rules to prioritize security. As Folkman emphasizes, the EU must act now to secure its economic future.

Read the full commentary here 👉https://epc.eu/en/Publications/Finding-economic-security-through-growth~5d3f18

16/09/2024

📢 Policy Briefing | Kosovo and the EU: Current Dynamics and Prospects

Albin Kurti, the Prime Minister of Kosovo will join us for an in-person Policy Briefing about Kosovo’s path toward EU integration, moderated by Berta López Domènech, EPC Policy Analyst.

With significant reforms underway and visa-free travel now granted, Kosovo is at a crucial juncture in its engagement with the EU. This event will explore the obstacles and opportunities in Kosovo's journey to membership.

📅 Thursday, 19 September 2024, 16:00 - 17:00
📍 Rue du Trône 14-16, 1000 Brussels
Register now 👉

Kosovo and the EU: Current dynamics and prospects

13/09/2024

⚡ NEW PUBLICATION | Where exactly is the Green Deal in Europe’s new agenda?

As Europe redefines its political landscape post-elections, balancing security, competitiveness, and climate change is more crucial than ever. Brooke Moore and Johanna Härtner discuss how systemic reform and bold leadership are necessary to keep the Green Deal alive.



Read it here 👇
https://buff.ly/3BcJTKD

12/09/2024

⚡ NEW PUBLICATION | Putin in Ulaanbaatar: How can the EU respond to blackmail diplomacy?

In his commentary Raùl Villegas looks at Russian President Putin’s visit to Mongolia that has raised concerns about the enforcement of international law and Mongolia's precarious geopolitical situation. Despite an ICC warrant for his arrest, Mongolia hosted Putin, highlighting its dependence on Russian energy and Chinese markets. Mongolia seeks to balance its neighbors’ influence.

Read it here 👇

Putin in Ulaanbaatar: How can the EU respond to blackmail diplomacy?

08/09/2024

♦️ LATEST PUBLICATION | Modi’s visit to Ukraine – A minor adjustment rather than a major shift?

In their commentary, Amanda Paul and Ivano di Carlo look at how 'currently, India has little immediate incentive to alter its stance, Ukraine’s allies in the West, particularly the EU, and the US, should continue to support the burgeoning Ukraine-India relationship and any sincere efforts by India to contribute to ending the war. However, they should also recognise that while ties with Ukraine may improve, India is unlikely to jeopardise its relationship with Russia.'

Read here👇
https://buff.ly/3yPtTxF

07/09/2024

LATEST PUBLICATION | Next Commissioner for Enlargement: Which criteria should inform the selection?

Berta López Domènech argues in her policy brief that enlargement will be one of the most politically heavy dossiers in the upcoming politico-institutional cycle. Therefore, the choice of the European Commissioner in charge of this dossier is of utmost importance.

The Paper argues that without this combination of credentials, it is difficult to imagine how the next Commissioner for Enlargement will translate into practice the member states’ current discourse about the geopolitical imperative of delivering a wider and more secure Union of 30+ countries.

Read the brief here 👇
https://buff.ly/4cJDCDt

05/09/2024

📰 NEW PUBLICATION | The new European solidarity mechanism: Towards a fair sharing of responsibility between member states? By Philippe de Bruycker. Do the reforms to the Dublin system in the new Pact on Migration strike the right balance?

In partnership with FEPS and the Friedich Eebert Stiftung

Read it here!

The new European solidarity mechanism: Towards a fair sharing of responsibility between member states?

05/09/2024

⚡ NEW PUBLICATION | Modi’s visit to Ukraine – A minor adjustment rather than a major shift?

Ivano di Carlo and Amanda Paul take a closer look into India’s repeated abstentions from voting on UN resolutions which would condemn Russia’s illegal invasion. Since then, it has led to widespread criticism and concerns from several Western countries. 'While this stance has frustrated its Western partners, they have largely tolerated it, worried about pushing India closer to Moscow or jeopardising their relationship with a country that is becoming increasingly influential in economic, security, and global affairs. To navigate the complexity of India’s ‘strategic neutrality’, the US and Europe have also exercised a degree of ‘strategic patience’ in response to their geopolitical priorities. For example, India’s role in Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy is essential in balancing China’s growing regional influence.'

Read the commentary here👇

https://buff.ly/3yPtTxF

05/09/2024

⏳ SAVE THE DATE | Greening the EU’s agri-food agenda: What is the role for digitalisation?

Join Dr Joelle Herforth-Rahme, senior scientist at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture | Olivier de Matos, director general at CropLife Europe | Sébastien Pérel, policy advisor, for the European Council of Young Farmers | Doris Marquardt, Programme Officer, IoT, DG Connect at the European Commission | and Evangelia Mourmoura, Team Leader, Digitalisation, DG Agri at the European Commission in this policy dialogue moderated by EPC's Head of Sustainable Prosperity for Europe Programme, Stefan Sipka.

The current climate change and ecological crises highlight the need to make our food systems more sustainable and resilient and reduce their impact on land and resources. Data and digital solutions have great potential to green the entire agri-food supply chain. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, the Internet of Things (IoT), drones, robots, sensors, blockchain, apps, and online platforms could revolutionise the agri-food sector. They could help reduce its environmental footprint, optimise operations, boost food productivity, promote sustainable diets, reduce food waste, and enhance the EU’s food security. While digital solutions are already in use to some extent, utilising their full capacity to align EU’s green and agri-food agendas is still work in progress.

Register today in the link below 👇

Greening the EU’s agri-food agenda: What is the role for digitalisation?

04/09/2024

⚡ LATEST PUBLICATION | Navigating the heat of crisis: A critical year for Europe?

' While Europe’s new medium-term defence programs are aimed at being prepared by the end of this three-year time window, Europeans must also be ready to navigate a potentially perilous next 12 months.

The first pivotal event is the November US presidential election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Either scenario might leave Europe in a difficult position. If Trump wins, both he and vice-presidential candidate JD Vance have stated they will cut off US aid to Ukraine, leaving Europe holding the bag. They’ve also indicated they may not honour NATO’s Article 5 if a European ally is attacked, potentially leaving Europe to fend for itself if Russia decides to attack. qIf Harris wins but her Democratic party does not win control of the US Congress, Republicans could further block, delay, or disrupt aid to Ukraine, leading to the same outcome. '

Read EPC's Chris Kremidas-Courtney's commentary here 👇

Navigating the heat of crisis: A critical year for Europe?

03/09/2024

💥 NEW PUBLICATION | Next Commissioner for Enlargement: Which criteria should inform the selection?

Berta López Domènech argues in her policy brief that with war raging on European soil, the European Union (EU) needs competent leadership – ready and willing to tackle head-on the polycrisis and polytransition confronting the Union and its member states.

Enlargement will be one of the most politically heavy dossiers in the upcoming politico-institutional cycle. Therefore, the choice of the European Commissioner in charge of this dossier is of utmost importance.

This Policy Brief examines what the candidate needs to possess for the role:

🎯 Commitment to EU democratic values.
🎯 Support for enlargement.
🎯 Capacity to forge consensus among member states and candidates.
🎯 Trustworthiness in the eyes of all relevant stakeholders

Read the brief here👇

Next Commissioner for Enlargement: Which criteria should inform the selection?