URL: Latest posts
Grayling’s Espresso – your antidote to Autumn’s approach
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We hope you had a peaceful Summer and are looking forward to what is sure to be a very busy end to 2012! In preparation for the annual “Autumn onslaught” – or perhaps to take your mind of it –Grayling Brussels is pleased to present you with i...
The new EU Airports Package proposals – In discussion with Brian Simpson MEP
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In the first of a series of interviews with EU policy experts and decision makers, Brian Simpson the Chairman of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee exchanges with Grayling’s Kevin Doran on the Airports Package that is curre...
Greek Crisis takes EU Leaders one step closer to a European Banking Union
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The latest Grayling BigPictureBrussels explains that: Two mainstream parties in Greece managed to achieve a majority in the weekend’s elections and are likely to form a government of national unity to press ahead with the terms of the country’s b...
To bond or not to bond?
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France and Germany do Battle over Eurobonds EU leaders agree that Greece should remain in Eurozone – but stick to its bailout conditions. New French President François Hollande not shying away from doing battle with Chancellor Merkel over Eurobond...
EU set to go it alone on financial transactions tax
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This articles comes fromt he Grayling Brussels Espresso May 2012 edition. The Commission is proposing that Member States place a minimum tax of between one-tenth and one-hundredth of one percent on a range of financial trades. Although these proporti...
On the blessings of escaping daltonism
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Blessed with offices with a park-view, it has been hard not to notice the veritable explosion that has taken place over the last ten days: spring has finally come to Brussels! What was grey and brown has once more become green. And how fitting that g...
“Do you wanna take this outside?” – EP plans to take on European Council
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The newly elected European Parliament President Martin Schulz announced in an interview that he is going to try to “put the European Parliament in a confrontation with the heads of government.” The reason behind this is that, in Mr Schulz’s vi...
Schengen – Always a Welcome Scapegoat
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Handling the Euro-crisis demonstrates the unity of the continent, but when it comes to open borders and immigration, European leaders show a different face. No more queues and controls at the borders of European countries – Schengen makes it po...
2014: Making the next European elections truly European?
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It’s hardly news anymore when we hear about voter apathy and declining turnout for European elections. So how do we make people care about a ballot that is usually seen as little more than a halftime show between general elections? One option is to...
Greece: The End of the Affair?
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This morning we wake up to news that – finally – Eurozone finance ministers have agreed to bail out Greece for the second time to the tune of €130 billion. The “aid”, as it is referred to (making Greece sound like a third world country) is...
Grayling takes Big Picture of the Danish Presidency
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The latest BigPictureBrussels from Grayling looks at the political priorities of the Danish Presidency of the EU and the likely impact Denmark will make during its 6 month term. Denmark takes on the Presidency of the European Union at a time of crisi...
Jonathan Wilkinson retires
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On 12 December Jonny Wilkinson announced that he is retiring from international test rugby. “Jonny Who?” non-rugby fans may ask. “And why is there sporting news on a blog dedicated to the world of EU affairs?” ask other readers. So, who is Jo...
Does Europe have the Stomach for a new Treaty?
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Could another Treaty change be on the cards? European leaders still bearing the scars of the tortuous ratification of the Lisbon Treaty are now having to contemplate the prospect of re-writing the rule-book to accommodate further fiscal integration o...
Support the Grayling Team & spread the word!
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As you know the Grayling team are a diverse bunch of people – not only do we come from 15 different countries, we also have various ranges of physical fitness – some of us are fitness fanatics, others like to pick up the bat and ball occasionally...
Grayling Espresso on Polish Presidency
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Grayling is proud to present you with the latest edition of Espresso, which this month focuses on the Polish Presidency. Articles include: An introduction by the General Manager of Grayling Poland, Ewa Szejner, on the “inside view” of the Preside...
Pig eats chicken, chicken eats pig?
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After contaminated meat and bone meal fed to cows was found to be the cause of mad cow disease, the European Union ten years ago put a total ban on the use of meat meal in feed for animals bred for food production. “I’m no cannibal…...
Hungarian Presidency struggles to make its mark
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As the second so-called “new” Member State to take over the EU Presidency after the much-maligned Czechs in the first half of 2009, Hungary was eager to showcase itself and demonstrate its leadership potential. However, due to circumstances both...
When is a net contributor not a net contributor
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When the press starts writing about budget negotiations, I always read the word “net contributor” at some point. And every time I read that word I am overocme by surprise and bafflement by the lack of either reflection or hypocrisy with which it...
Now is the spring of our discontent
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Spring is traditionally seen as the season of rebirth, renewal and regrowth. Yet in Brussels, despite the unseasonably warm weather, this could be the Spring of discontent. In recent months Portugal has been the third country to effectively request...
Portugal braces itself for fiscal storm
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Walking round Porto, Portugal’s second city, over a long weekend, one is struck by how little the country’s near bankrupt economy is affecting daily life on the street. Restaurants on the riverfront overflow with visitors from all four corners of...
