EPC - European Policy Centre - Independent think tank

Challenges for the EU in the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: Azerbaijani and Armenian perspectives

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The EU still remains very much a peripheral player in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, seemingly content with supporting the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and financing a number of confidence and peace-building projects. However, with the EU being one of the most ‘neutral’ external powers involved in the region, and having made conflict resolution a priority of both its European Neighbourhood Policy and Eastern Partnership, there would seem to be scope for Brussels to take on a greater role, argue Zaur Shiriyev and Richard Giragosian in these two Policy Briefs.

Second Career Labour Markets - Assessing challenges - Advancing policies

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In order to secure growth prospects and innovation within the EU, creating a labour market adjusted to the needs of older workers and facilitating longer decent working lives is imperative, say the authors of the final report of the Second Career Labour Markets project.

For better, for worse: the European Union takes Croatia as its 28th member

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Croatia’s entry into the European Union on 1 July 2013 is for all intents and purposes an important and timely success story, argues Corina Stratulat in this Commentary.

A Plan B, C and D for an EU policy towards Iran

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Presidential elections in Iran on 14 June may lead to changes there. Is the EU prepared? In this Policy Brief, Cornelius Adebahr argues that the EU needs to be prepared for change – for better or for worse – and better equip itself for future relations with Tehran and with Iranians.

A choice between a ‘United States of Europe’ and ‘Eurocalypse Now?’

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The current crisis is making some EU countries realise that their relationship goes deeper than simply what is in the Treaties: there are common interests bringing them together and forcing them to act as partners.

Lithuania’s priorities for the Council Presidency

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

As the last full EU Council presidency before the EU elections, Lithuania is facing an enormous workload.

Pathways to achieve a Genuine Fiscal Union

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In this Policy Brief, Francesco Nicoli analyses the reforms undertaken so far to strengthen Monetary Union, and suggests the way forward to progressively achieve a functioning fiscal union for the eurozone countries.

The ICTY – What role for justice in Balkans reconciliation?

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Recent high-profile acquittals have been a source of controversy and have stirred passions in the Balkan region as the work of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) draws to a close.

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – Opening markets or building walls?

Wed, 29 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Securing an ambitious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) could boost growth and create jobs on both sides of the Atlantic without creating a ‘Fortress Atlantica’.

Making progress towards the completion of the Single European Labour Market

Tue, 28 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In this Issue Paper, the authors propose an ambitious and comprehensive strategy towards labour mobility. This strategy aims to address obstacles to mobility, as well as create incentives to encourage people to move. It also aims to reinforce the role of public policies, both at the EU and national level, in order to address potential costs and optimise a better allocation of human resources.