EU Australia Online - News & information from the capital of Europe direct to Australian businesses

Archive for 'Commentary'

Next Page »

Let Turkey Into EU, Says British PM

  • July 28th, 2010
  • Posted by Lee Duffield

david-cameron-anunewsnet.jpgCOMMENTARY: The British Prime Minister, David Cameron (picture) has revived debate over Turkey’s chances of entering the European Union, saying it should be “allowed to sit inside the tent”. … Read More »

Gaza: EU Not Happy

  • July 19th, 2010
  • Posted by EUEditor

gaza-memrieconomicblogorg.jpegWidespread commentary has followed the visit to Gaza by the chief EU envoy on joint foreign policy, the High Representative, Catherine Ashton – especially over her demand that Israel’s relaxation of its blockade is not enough. … Read More »

Two-way Pressure On G20: Who Should Pay?

  • June 26th, 2010
  • Posted by Lee Duffield

g20-canada-2010.jpgCOMMENTARY: “Who should pay out the deficits, following the financial crash of 2008?” is a keynote question for the G20 international economic summit this weekend, in Canada.

After billion-dollar government bail-outs of errant banks, protesting workers, right now in France and Italy, say it should not be them.

The incoming head of the international trades union movement, Australian Sharon Burrow, has added in a warning that the deficit cutting will stymie economic growth. … Read More »

Banking And Finance: EC Sets Out Moves …

  • May 28th, 2010
  • Posted by Lee Duffield

eurosymbol-frankfurt.jpgCOMMENTARY:

A round of budget cuts in European capitals, (on Thursday in Spain, the parliament approving a €30-billion reductions plan – A$43.7bn, dcerates.com, 28.5.10), is being described as a response to “pressure from the market”.

That has gone down badly in many segments, as with the Spanish parliamentarians who voted “no”, losing by one vote; or union protestors taking to the streets on Friday, in France.

(The Spanish austerity package includes wage cuts of at least 5% for public servants and reduces public investment).

Not least, the European Commission has responded to the question of who rules, (elected governments, or “markets”?), bringing  forward a plan to cause banks to provide  enduring funding against a down-turn.        … Read More »

Finance and Money: Hectic Week

  • May 20th, 2010
  • Posted by Lee Duffield

eurosymbol-frankfurt.jpgCOMMENTARY: European Union Finance Ministers  this week came up with regulatory measures meant to  damp down speculative pressure on financial markets, while stock prices and the Euro currency began to slip. … Read More »

UK Vote: Australians Bear A Gift

  • May 9th, 2010
  • Posted by Lee Duffield

commons.jpegCOMMENTARY: Liberal-Democrats trying to get a reform of the electoral system out of  last Thursday’s British elections, might consider  the Australian “preferential”, not “proportional” scheme. … Read More »

France, Belgium: Battle Over the Burqa

  • April 24th, 2010
  • Posted by EUEditor

burqa-eyes.jpgCOMMENTARY: Battle lines are being drawn in France over the proposal of President Nicolas Sarkozy to ban the wearing of the full face veil, the burqa or niqab, anywhere in public.

The same debate is going on  in  Belgium – a distraction from  a fresh political crisis there. … Read More »

Next Page »