Cause and effect in European policy and economy.

ECOFIN: Greece is doing well

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:03:00 UT

The European Union is satisfied with the austerity measures of the Greek government, aimed at putting back to track Greece's enormous debt and growing budgetary deficit. The 27 EU ministers of finance announced they were satisfied with the first report of the Greek government. They support the European ... more

How the pension reform in Bulgaria started and where is it now?

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:03:00 UT

The pension reform in Bulgaria started 10 years ago. In the beginning of the new millennium, the pension system, a legacy from socialism, started hesitantly to walk on the path of personal savings. Together with the well known and obligatory state pension security contributions, an obligatory additional ... more

30% reduction of emissions must remain as a condition

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:03:00 UT

This is what EU environment ministers have agreed upon at their regular meeting in Brussels on Monday. Then, for the first time, they discussed the new strategy of the European Commission for future actions after Copenhagen. Most ministers insisted though, that in order the EU to be able to commit to ... more

The Eurozone stands ready for an urgent assistance for Greece

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:03:00 UT

Eurozone ministers of finance have agreed on a mechanism to secure urgent assistance for Greece, if necessary. At Eurogroup's meeting on Monday evening, "the technical possibilities to take quick decision for coordinated actions in case of a need" have been clarified, a statement of the ministers ... more

The EU and its neighbours or how to protect your home

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:03:00 UT

In spite of all criticism there is one positive thing which we have to admit about the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs baroness Catherine Ashton - the way she arranged her programme of visits immediately after assuming her duties. She visited the Western Balkans at first, which was ... more

Personal healthcare payment stays 8%, public servants will pay their share

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:03:00 UT

Only 5 (five) days after the government decided to raise the obligatory personal healthcare payments from 8 to 10%, it changed its mind. The last (or not?) decision was “a result of an analysis, made by the Finance Ministry and given to the prime minister", the ministry’s press office ... more

The president of substitution

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:03:00 UT

Although he made his first visit in Brussels 3 years after Bulgaria joined the EU, the president of the country Gheorghi Parvanov decided to show himself as a patron of the discussion on EU's latest economic strategy Europe 2020. On March 12th, Parvanov called a press conference, claiming it would focus ... more

The EU is considering a new compromise - 30% emissions reduction by 2020

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:03:00 UT

The European Union is not giving up assuming a leading role in achieving a legally binding global agreement on climate change, in spite of its failure to prove as such during the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen in December. The European Commission kept its promise and initiated its activities ... more

The EU discusses a bail-out for Greece?

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:03:00 UT

The Finance ministers of the European Union are meeting on Tuesday to asses the implementation of Greece's austerity measures and to decide whether Athens should receive a rescue package from the community. It is expected the deal to be approved by the Euro group on Monday evening. Authorities in Berlin ... more