Analysis

Expert analysis, features and profiles of key topical issues in the European Union.

Greek vote a big step but debt crisis lives on: analysts — 13 February 2012, 13:07 CET

A deal to save Greece from default, boosted by a vote in Athens agreeing more austerity, marks a turning point in the debt crisis, but the outcome is far from clear, analysts warn.

Greece debt vote gets guarded market welcome — 13 February 2012, 13:10 CET

Greece has finally passed the radical budget cuts needed to secure fresh aid but it is the best of a bad job and much depends on how the measures are implemented, financial analysts said Monday.

Skiers swish down the slopes... on Danish flatlands — 13 February 2012, 09:43 CET

Building a ski slope when you live in Denmark's flatlands may seem like a pipedream, but not for one intrepid cereal farmer.

Pakistan textiles lifted by WTO trade waiver — 12 February 2012, 13:39 CET

It makes a change, but Pakistani textiles boss Asghar Hussain is pleased. A year ago, recession, power cuts and poor security forced him to sack most of his workers.

West stays off Syria warpath despite worsening violence — 12 February 2012, 13:38 CET

Despite the escalating violence in Syria, Western powers refuse to unleash a Libya-type operation against a regime backed by a much bigger army and powerful allies.

Europe's trust gone, Greece at crossroads — 10 February 2012, 18:07 CET

Europe's trust in Greece has gone -- the question now is exactly what conditions it will put on any new loans to whatever government emerges in Athens when and if the country's old debt is restructured.

Anatomy of the Greek debt negotiations — 09 February 2012, 16:42 CET

Agreement among Greek political parties on meeting the latest targets set by the European Union and International Monetary Fund enables the eurozone to decide on an overall second bailout.

Talk of Greece eurozone exit strategy rears its head — 07 February 2012, 23:51 CET

The head of the European Commission was forced Tuesday to try and quell mounting suggestions that it might be cheaper and easier for the eurozone to cut Greece adrift.

Chinese village exports cheap labour abroad — 07 February 2012, 12:22 CET

Xie Guolu proudly shows off the two-storey home he is having built in the small Chinese village of Lujiazhuang, paid for by money his son earns thousands of kilometres away in Algeria.

With job spurt, US economy races ahead of Europe — 05 February 2012, 20:55 CET

The latest surge in US job creation suggests the world's biggest economy is gathering momentum -- in contrast with the recession taking hold in parts of Europe.

China snubs debt in European spending spree — 05 February 2012, 11:34 CET

Chinese companies and funds have ramped up investment in crisis-hit Europe, buying utilities, energy firms and even luxury yacht makers, but are steering clear of eurozone debt.

Europe's future financial firewall — 30 January 2012, 12:47 CET

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM), due for adoption at Monday's EU summit, will be the bloc's permanent rescue fund from July.

A new EU pact to spread budgetary 'golden rules' — 30 January 2012, 12:27 CET

European leaders are set to adopt Monday a new treaty to reinforce budgetary discipline among governments in the wake of the debt crisis.

EU fiscal pact under fire before it even exists — 30 January 2012, 13:50 CET

Already dismissed as a "waste of time" and "harmful" by two foreign ministers, the "fiscal compact" that EU leaders hope to conclude at a summit Monday has run into criticism before even being agreed.

ESM, Europe's future financial firewall now — 29 January 2012, 14:17 CET

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM), due for adoption at Monday's EU summit, is to be the bloc's permanent safety net as of July -- its financial "firewall."

A new pact to spread budgetary 'golden rules' — 29 January 2012, 14:17 CET

European leaders are set to adopt Monday a new treaty to reinforce budgetary discipline among governments in the wake of the debt crisis. A German demand as the price of financial solidarity, it will introduce "golden rules" making balanced budgets mandatory.

Europe's leaders cross fingers summit can turn crisis corner — 27 January 2012, 10:42 CET

For the first time in two tumultuous years, European Union leaders gather Monday without their talks being tagged either a "crisis" or a "last-chance" summit.

Iran under pressure of new sanctions wave — 25 January 2012, 15:17 CET

Sanctions drawn up by the European Union to dissuade Iran from building a nuclear weapon should considerably hamper a country already suffering from previous economic measures imposed by the West, analysts said.

Bosnian economy set to suffer from Croatia's EU entry — 25 January 2012, 10:45 CET

Bosnia's struggling economy could take a hit from neighbouring Croatia's EU entry next year as Zagreb will likely have to ban Bosnian imports that do not comply with strict EU quality rules.

International sanctions against Iran — 23 January 2012, 18:07 CET

International sanctions against Iran focus on key sectors such as defence, finance and oil with the aim of persuading Tehran to end its controversial nuclear programme. Over time, the United Nations and the European Union have adopted increasingly tough measures.

Voters snub anti-euro far-right in Finnish presidential poll — 23 January 2012, 15:52 CET

Finland's nationalist anti-immigration Finns Party suffered a heavy setback in this weekend's presidential election, as many of its anti-euro voters fled to the equally eurosceptic Centre Party, observers said Monday.

International sanctions against Iran — 23 January 2012, 04:37 CET

International sanctions against Iran focus on key sectors such as defence, finance and oil with the aim of getting Tehran to end its controversial nuclear programme. Over time, the United Nations and the European Union have adopted increasingly tough measures.

Factfile on Croatia — 22 January 2012, 09:37 CET

Facts on Croatia, which votes in a referendum on European Union membership Sunday:

Croatian Serbs believe EU entry will guarantee their rights — 20 January 2012, 10:10 CET

Ethnic Serbs who went to war in a bid to prevent Croatia's independence are expected to endorse its EU membership this weekend, hoping it will improve their prospects and protect their rights.

Factfile on Croatia — 19 January 2012, 03:17 CET

Facts on Croatia, which votes in a referendum on European Union membership Sunday: