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7112. Smart Specialisation: championing the EU’s economic growth and investment agenda?
- Author:
- Alison Hunter
- Publication Date:
- 07-2017
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- Introduced as an ex ante conditionality in the 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy, Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) require regions to develop smart priorities and direct investment efforts towards growth-oriented innovation. In the space of only four years, S3 has become widely regarded as a success story across the Cohesion Policy community, as a place-based driver of EU competitiveness. For some regions, it has offered scope to deepen existing practices. For others, S3 has introduced new approaches to achieving innovation-oriented growth. There is, however, quite some distance to cover if S3 is to accelerate its support role in delivering EU growth and investment. This would require redefining the role of S3 and re-positioning this in the post-2020 Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF).
- Topic:
- Europe Union and Global Political Economy
- Political Geography:
- Europe
7113. Why the EU will have an industrial policy – but not necessarily a good one
- Author:
- Fabian Zuleeg
- Publication Date:
- 07-2017
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- How best to support its industry has been a perennial issue for the European Union (EU). The Commission’s approach has been an attempt to mainstream industrial competitiveness across policy areas. But this hardly constitutes an adequate strategic industrial policy. The EU and its members must recognise that current global pressures require a common and forward-looking approach to ensure that European industry can thrive.
- Topic:
- Financial Markets and Global Political Economy
- Political Geography:
- European Union
7114. The EU and Emerging Market Economies: Transformations and New Challenges
- Author:
- Juliane Schmidt
- Publication Date:
- 07-2017
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- The European Union and emerging market economies are facing a great variety of challenges and transformations in a rapidly changing world. They are important players on the world stage, working through and shaping the various multilateral organisations they are members of. The European Policy Centre (EPC), in cooperation with the Institute for the Scientific Advancement of the South (ISAS), has carried out a project that looked at the political, economic, and environmental interests of the EU and emerging market economies and considered the future of their cooperation in global governance. In order to shed light on the relationship between emerging market economies and the EU, the project focused on four key areas of multilateralism: climate change, trade, international financial institutions, and global governance in the security realm. This report reflects upon the outcomes of the project’s discussions, while also providing punctual updates.
- Topic:
- International Affairs and Global Political Economy
- Political Geography:
- European Union
7115. Targeting EU efforts in Tunisia: what approach to the fight against corruption and to decentralisation?
- Author:
- Francesca Fabbri
- Publication Date:
- 07-2017
- Content Type:
- Policy Brief
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- Among the countries of the 2011 Arab revolutions, Tunisia clearly underwent the most robust process of transition to a pluralistic and democratic regime. While consolidating the recent changes is challenging, Tunisia’s ability to successfully confront its problems rests on two important preconditions: eradicating corruption and achieving a sound decentralisation process. Today, lack of transparency and stagnating regional development are deeply intertwined problems that need to be tackled swiftly by the Tunisian government with the support of its international partners. Recent laws and measures, such as the five-year Development Plan, the adoption of an Investment Law, and the reform of the local electoral legal framework, seem to confirm the ambition to reform, but implementation remains very patchy. The EU, with its ambition to make Tunisia an example for enhanced cooperation in the region, should play a greater role in encouraging the Tunisian government to enact much needed reforms through a more critical approach.
- Topic:
- Corruption and International Cooperation
- Political Geography:
- Tunisia
7116. The US exits Paris Can the EU drive international climate action?
- Author:
- Romain Pardo
- Publication Date:
- 07-2017
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- The Trump administration's decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement will make its implementation more challenging. The United States (US) had been instrumental in brokering a successful deal in Paris and speeding the ratification process for an early entry into force of the agreement. While the US remains party to the agreement for the next four years, its involvement in upcoming international climate discussions remains uncertain. Meanwhile, policy developments in the country such as the "Energy Independence Executive Order" indicate that the current administration has currently no intention to fulfil the pledge made by the previous one to lower CO2 emissions by 26 to 28% below 2005 levels in 2025.
- Topic:
- Climate Change, Environment, and International Development
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
7117. New Pact for Europe - National Report - ITALY
- Author:
- European Policy Centre
- Publication Date:
- 07-2017
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- This is the fifth in a series of National Reports to be published as part of the new phase of the New Pact for Europe project.* According to the NPE Italian Reflection Group, the EU is stuck, with member countries prioritising national interests over the European ones, while problems in the economic, security and migration policy areas are far from overcome. Drawing on the discussions held amongst the members of the group, the report presents a set of conclusions on how to address the key challenges the Union and member states are facing at the moment, and calls on them to take action to boost the legitimacy of the European integration project:
- Topic:
- International Political Economy and International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Europe
7118. Brexit: No ordinary third country
- Author:
- Andrew Duff
- Publication Date:
- 07-2017
- Content Type:
- Commentary and Analysis
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- Following the start of the Brexit negotiations on 19 June, Andrew Duff reviews the state of play, namely the discussions on EU citizens’ rights, the Irish border, the financial commitments and the future role of the ECJ. He welcomes the Commission’s proposal to create a Joint Committee to manage the actual exiting process. Duff regrets the irresolution on the British side, which hampers the possibility to define the future relationship with the European Union and consequently the transitional arrangements that UK business so badly needs. Given the UK’s state of confusion after the electoral results of 2016 and 2017, he suggests that the EU must make an offer to London on the basis of a wider reflection on the future not just of the smaller European Union but of the wider Europe.
- Topic:
- International Political Economy and Brexit
- Political Geography:
- Europe
7119. Kosovo's EU candidate status: a goal within reach
- Author:
- Zephyr Dessus, Albana Rexha, Albana Merja, and Corina Stratulat
- Publication Date:
- 06-2017
- Content Type:
- Special Report
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- Ever since its declaration of independence in 2008, Kosovo has made European integration one of its key foreign policy objectives. Having made headway over the past years in its efforts to draw nearer to the European Union – most recently by signing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the EU – Kosovo is now eager to take the next step in its EU integration process: to apply for EU membership and receive candidate status. However, with five member states still unwilling to recognise its statehood, Kosovo finds itself in a unique and difficult position regarding its eligibility to advance towards the EU and eventually accede to the European Union.
- Topic:
- International Affairs and Political and institutional effectiveness
- Political Geography:
- Kosovo
7120. Crans-Montana - A ‘now or never’ moment for a Cyprus settlement?
- Author:
- Amanda Paul
- Publication Date:
- 06-2017
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre
- Abstract:
- On 28 June under the auspices of the UN, the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot Communities, Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci, will meet in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, in a fresh effort to resolve the decades-old Cyprus problem following a recent five-month impasse in the talks. The three guarantor states, Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom will also participate. A solution would be a win-win for both communities as well as the broader region. It would not only enhance the Cypriot economy, including possible new energy projects, but also bring a new climate of security and stability to the Eastern Mediterranean. However, while progress has been made on many areas, significant differences remain on the issue of security and guarantees. Overcoming these differences will on both sides require political courage, creative thinking and a readiness to compromise and let go of maximalist goals. Yet, even if the two leaders clinch an agreement, selling it to their respective communities will be a significant challenge as Cypriots are far from prepared for the comprises that an agreement requires.
- Topic:
- International Relations and International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Cyprus