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1041. The EU's Scottish question

Author:
Fabian Zuleeg
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Policy Centre
Abstract:
One of the unintended consequences of the Brexit vote almost three years ago has been the re-opening of the question of the UK’s territorial integrity. Most of the focus has, naturally, been on Northern Ireland, given the historical context and the challenge a hard border would constitute for the peace protest. Less attention has been paid to the situation in Scotland, even though it voted strongly against leaving the EU: 62% of Scottish voters voted remain, while only 38% voted to leave - a higher remain vote than in Northern Ireland. If anything, this sentiment has become stronger, with polls suggesting that two-thirds of Scottish voters now support remaining in the EU.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1042. Citizens expect: Lessons from the European Citizens' Consultations

Author:
Paul Butcher
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Policy Centre
Abstract:
The European Citizens’ Consultations (ECCs) were supposed to bring citizens into the decision-making process and inform the European Council’s discussions about the future of the EU at the recent Sibiu Summit. In practice, any outcome from the ECCs has been largely absent, and it is unclear if they have been taken on board at all. This is despite the events providing a wealth of information on European citizens’ priorities, proposals, and demands. Paul Butcher and Corina Stratulat identify the main lesson of the 2018 ECCs – that without any clear definition of their objectives, it is impossible to adequately assess or respond to them. The authors go on to argue that any future repeat of the process must clearly define the scope and purpose of the exercise in advance. As the EU enters a new politico-institutional cycle, the immediate priority is to ensure that the ECCs and other forms of citizens’ involvement in decision-making appear prominently on the agenda of the new Commission and subsequent European Council summits.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1043. Ensuring a post-Brexit level playing field

Author:
David Baldock
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Policy Centre
Abstract:
The European Council’s guidelines for the Brexit negotiations, published one month after it received the Article 50 notification from the United Kingdom, state that “any free trade agreement […] must ensure a level playing field, notably in terms of competition and state aid, and in this regard encompass safeguards against unfair competitive advantages through, inter alia, tax, social, environmental and regulatory measures and practices
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1044. The EU’s governance of Brexit and its impact on the negotiations

Author:
Johannas Greubel
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Policy Centre
Abstract:
The three years after the Brexit referendum were marked by intense preparations for the UK’s departure, including withdrawal negotiations that eventually led to the conclusion of a Withdrawal Agreement and a political declaration, and the European Council agreeing to extend the withdrawal period until 31 October 2019 at the latest. Yet, even after the UK’s departure from the EU, negotiations between the EU and the UK are far from over. Indeed, it is only after the UK's withdrawal that negotiations on the future relations will begin. It is pertinent to examine how the EU governed the negotiation process internally, in order to draw conclusions for the future. Johannes Greubel argues that throughout the negotiations, the EU managed to set up an inter-institutional governance system that not only ensured unity but also the full support of all institutions for the negotiations' outcome, and strengthened the Union’s negotiation position. This governance constitutes a complex system of interaction that can be described as a model file of inter-institutional and -member state cooperation and diplomacy.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1045. Mainstreaming innovation funding in the EU budget

Author:
Eulalia Rubio
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Policy Centre
Abstract:
This study for the European Parliament provides a comprehensive assessment of how the EU budget supports innovation in the current programming period and analyses the approach to innovation financing in the Commission´s MFF 2021-2027 proposals. The findings provide the basis on which to draw recommendations to maximize the use of EU innovation funding in the coming MFF. In particular, the study
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1046. Brexit: Losing control

Author:
Andrew Duff
Publication Date:
03-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
European Policy Centre
Abstract:
Andrew Duff argues that neither the EU nor the UK is now fully in control. Both are being badly destabilised by Brexit. An accidental no deal is a live possibility. Unless the British have made real progress towards the exit by the time of the next EUCO in June, attitudes will harden — including those of Angela Merkel. Talks between pro-European Tory ministers and the Labour frontbench have a 30% chance of success. If they fail, both leaders are expected to commit to more indicative votes in the Commons, this time rather more ‘meaningful’. Mr Corbyn may want to delay his agreement until after the UK has been obliged by the EUCO to fight a mock election to the European Parliament. But the June EUCO is the next important deadline if British MEPs are to be stopped from taking their seats.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1047. Under Pressure: Russian Energy Cooperation with Japan and South Korea since Western Sanctions

Author:
Maria Shagina
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Abstract:
This report will examine Russian-Japanese and Russian-South Korean energy cooperation. Neither Japan nor the Republic of Korea imposed energy sanctions on the Russian Federation, and both U.S. allies continue to expand their energy deals despite Western sanctions
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1048. Russia in Venezuela: Geopolitical Boon or Economic Misadventure?

Author:
Max Hess
Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Abstract:
In December 2018, the Russian Federation sent two Tupolov-160 supersonic bombers around the world to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. On January 23, 2019, the U.S. and a series of Latin American countries recognized Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1049. China’s Black Sea Ambitions

Author:
Yevgen Sautin
Publication Date:
05-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Abstract:
The People’s Republic of China is actively engaging Black Sea littoral states through various initiatives to open new markets for Chinese goods, facilitate the acquisition of valuable or strategic local industries, and offer loans for large development projects
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus

1050. The Sources of Post-Soviet Conduct

Author:
William Spiegelberger
Publication Date:
01-2019
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Abstract:
The Russian Federation’s recently provocative foreign policy results in part from structural weakness in the Russian domestic regime, a quasi-feudal system that requires certain actions abroad to maintain itself in power at home.
Topic:
International Affairs
Political Geography:
Global Focus