Publisher: CEPS Centre for European Policy Studies

0.00 €

The Rubik Cube of the Wider Middle East

The Rubik Cube of the Wider Middle East

Author(s): Michael Emerson,Natalie Tocci / Language(s): English

Keywords: Wider Middle East; Middle East; comprehensive regional initiative ; EU and US ; US policy ; unilateral ; Israeli-Arab conflict ; Western-Islamic relations ; Maghreb;

Given the complexity and severity of the problems involved, this book asserts that a comprehensive regional initiative for the Wider Middle East is called for and proceeds to outline exactly what that would entail. The first-best solution would be the adoption of a convergent strategy towards the Wider Middle East by the EU and US together. The authors argue that a US policy that waged a unilateral war against Iraq and left the Israeli-Arab conflict still festering would mean counterproductive effects for the fight against Al Qaeda and huge damage to Western-Islamic relations as well as to the transatlantic alliance. At the same time, however, the EU must be prepared to strengthen both the ‘carrots’ and the ‘sticks’ in its policies in the region in any case. The point of the image of Rubik’s Cube is to stress the need for a coherent vision for all three regions of the Wider Middle East (Maghreb, Mashreq and the Gulf), for all three major vectors of policy (politics, economics and security), and for all three major external participants (the US, Europe and the international organisations).

More...

0.00 €

The Wider Europe Matrix

The Wider Europe Matrix

Author(s): Michael Emerson / Language(s): English

Keywords: Wider Europe ; European Union’s relationships ; Morocco ; Greater Middle East ; Central Asia ; European Security Strategy;

This study is an attempt to think systematically about the enlarging European Union’s relationships with the rest of Europe and the arc of Arab and Muslim states that are Europe’s neighbours, from Morocco to Central Asia through Iraq – two vast regions that may be called the ‘Wider Europe’ and the ‘Greater Middle East’. While the EU of 25 member states has a population of 450 million people and a national income of about 10,000 billion euro, the Wider Europe adds another 360 million people but only 10% more income, despite containing the great natural resources of Russia. The Greater Middle East adds another 392 million people, but again only 10% more income, despite the fabulous oil wealth of the Middle East. These disproportions speak trouble. Recent developments in the EU-Russia relationship are worrying, as the enlarging EU now meets a more assertive Russia in the overlapping ‘near-abroad’ regions and where effective strategic partnership seems elusive. In the Greater Middle East, the search for the formula for democratic modernisation also remains elusive, two years after the events of 11 September 2001. These are the rationales for the European Union’s current efforts to define a Wider Europe policy and European Security Strategy. Yet these initiatives are not credibly articulated so far. The present study makes an independent contribution towards defining more substantive and structured EU strategies. It argues for seven common European policy spaces, which should relate to all the states and regions of the Wider Europe and its neighbourhood, with gradations of course, but still having overall coherence. This is also what will define the final frontiers of Europe.

More...

0.00 €

A Different Country. Russia’s Economic Resurgence

A Different Country. Russia’s Economic Resurgence

Author(s): Lucio Vinhas de Souza / Language(s): English

Keywords: Russia’s Economic Resurgence; Russia’s Economy; trading partner of the EU; Economic and Financial Affairs ; European Commission

Russia is now once again one of the ten largest economies in the world (representing around 70% of Germany’s GDP in purchasing power parity in 2007). In addition, Russia is the third largest trading partner of the EU, the fourth largest trade partner of the eurozone and an essential energy supplier to the EU. This recovery makes Russia an economic – and political – actor that cannot be ignored. In this authoritative new book, Lúcio Vinhas de Souza, desk officer for Russia in the Directorate–General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission, reviews the country’s evolving macroeconomic performance and structural policy framework, from the difficult days of the recession in the early transition period and the 1998 crisis to Russia’s sustained and robust growth since 1999. He outlines the remaining reform priorities in Russia and concludes with pragmatic policy recommendations for the reform agenda.

More...

0.00 €

Political Islam and European Foreign Policy. Perspectives from Muslim Democrats of the Mediterranean

Political Islam and European Foreign Policy. Perspectives from Muslim Democrats of the Mediterranean

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: Political Islam; European Foreign Policy; Perspectives from Muslim Democrats; Muslim Democrats of the Mediterranean; Muslim Democrats; Muslim democrat parties; anti-democratic;

The time is ripe for the European Union, its institutions and member states to undertake an explicit review of its current policy of ‘benign neglect’ towards the broad collection of ‘Muslim democrat’ parties in the Mediterranean Arab states. The group of experts assembled to produce this new book adduces mounting evidence that this policy may lead to unintended consequences, such as the reinforcement of anti-democratic regimes and radical Islamism. Their arguments favour a broad inclusion of Muslim democrats in EU initiatives aiming at the reform of governance and the development of civil society, without extending to them any singular, exclusive or unsolicited privileges. Contributors include Michael Emerson and Richard Youngs (eds), Samir Amghar, Talal Atrissi, Senem Aydin, Amel Boubekeur, Ruşen Çakır, Salah Eddine Jorshi, Salam Kawakibi, Emad El-Din Shahin, Robert Springborg and Nathalie Tocci.

More...

0.00 €

The Future of Retail Financial Services. What policy mix for a balanced digital transformation?

The Future of Retail Financial Services. What policy mix for a balanced digital transformation?

Author(s): Kim Vindberg-Larsen,Sylvain Bouyon / Language(s): English

Keywords: Retail Financial Services; Digital transformation; peer-to-peer lending; eIDAS; Big data analytics;

While policy-makers are gradually creating the necessary conditions tostrengthen the digital transformation of retail financial services, numerous policy issues and unanswered questions remain. The purpose of this report is to analyse the issues that were considered by the Task Force to be relevant for retail banking and non-life insurance at the present time and for the next few years to come. In order to develop a market in which retail financial services contribute to the economy in a balanced way, 12 main issues need to be further addressed.

More...

0.00 €

Policies for an Ageing Workforce

Policies for an Ageing Workforce

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: Ageing workforce; work-life balance; working conditions; equal opportunities;

We are all growing older. On average, life expectancy increases by three months every year. Seen over the span of the last century, this is a testament to enormous social progress. But since we are living longer, we also need to work longer so that the proportion of life spent in employment remains more or less constant. This is the basic premise for maintaining not only our pension systems but also the welfare state, solidarity between generations, and the social fabric.

More...

0.00 €

Why has the crisis been bad for private pensions, but good for the flat tax? The sustainability of ‘neoliberal’ reforms in the new EU member states

Why has the crisis been bad for private pensions, but good for the flat tax? The sustainability of ‘neoliberal’ reforms in the new EU member states

Author(s): Miroslav Beblavý / Language(s): English

Keywords: Flat tax; private pensions; crisis; neoliberal reforms; EU member states; economic and social reforms in EU; welfare system;

In this paper, we examine two questions related to the sustainability of the major, neoliberal, economic and social reforms in the new EU member states, namely the flat income tax and private pension pillars. First, we look at the relationship between the political consensus/controversy at the time major policy reforms were passed and the future sustainability of these reforms after a change of government. Second, we explore what we call a paradox of reverse sustainability, where by the flat income tax has been more politically resilient during the global financial and economic crisis than private pensions, even though ex ante expectations and the literature would lead us to expect the opposite. The paper shows that controversy at the time the reforms were passed had no effect on subsequent sustainability, and the levels of partisanship and public support with regard to a specific reform seemless important than the political costs and benefits. We also find that despite their apparent neoliberalbent, the two policies are versatile enough to be shaped towards a variety of policy goals, allowing their introduction and retention in a variety of economic and social circumstances. In other words, even though private pensions and particularly the flat tax have powerful political connotations, they are by no means policy strait jackets.

More...

0.00 €

Between Anarchy and Censorship. Public discourse and the duties of social media

Between Anarchy and Censorship. Public discourse and the duties of social media

Author(s): Judit Bayer / Language(s): English

Keywords: Anarchy and Censorship; Public discourse; social media; Communication; mass media;

Social media platforms have become powerful enough to cause perceptible effects in societies on a global scale. They facilitate public discussion, and they work with excessive amounts of personal data – both activities affecting human rights and the rule of law. This specific service requires attention from the regulator: according to this paper, a new legal category should be created with clear definitions, and a firm delineation of platforms’ rights and responsibilities. Social media companies should not become responsible for third-party content, as this would lead to over-censorship, but they should have the obligation to create and maintain safe and secure platforms, on which human rights and the rule of law are respected.

More...

0.00 €

№48 Two Boats in the Mediterranean and their Unfortunate Encounters with Europe’s Policies towards People on the Move

№48 Two Boats in the Mediterranean and their Unfortunate Encounters with Europe’s Policies towards People on the Move

Author(s): Leonhard Den Hertog / Language(s): English

Keywords: Europe’s Policies towards People on the Move; migratory flows;

This paper examines two recent events in which people on the move making their way from Libya to Europe across the Mediterranean were either abandoned to die at sea or ‘pushed back’ (Hirsi case). It argues that these two cases are not incidental or isolated but rather part of a broader situation of concern in the Mediterranean. The paper highlights this situation and also connects it to Europe’s response to migratory flows during the Arab Spring. On thebasis of independent reports, case law and first-hand accounts, it attributes these tragedies to two fundamental structural deficiencies in Europe’s approach to people on the move in the Mediterranean: 1) a general lack of accountability, among the most salient of which are thelack of legal clarity for SAR (search & rescue) and disembarkation obligations as well as alack of monitoring of what actually happens in the Mediterranean and 2) a lack of solidarity amongst European states as well as across the Mediterranean. The paper then goes on to propose recommendations to correct those cross-cutting deficiencies.

More...

0.00 €

№50 Trends and Gaps in the Academic Literature on EU Labour Migration Policies

№50 Trends and Gaps in the Academic Literature on EU Labour Migration Policies

Author(s): Marie De Somer / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU Labour Migration Policies; labour market inclusion; protection of rights;

This paper provides an overview of the ‘state of the art’ in the academic literature on EU labour migration policies. It forms part of the research agenda of Work Package 18 of the NEUJOBS project, which aims at reviewing legislation and practices regarding the labour market inclusionand protection of rights of different categories of foreign workers in European labour markets. Accordingly, particular attention is paid to the works of scholars who evaluate the status of rights of third-country national workers in relation to labour market access, employment security, social integration, etc., in European legislation on labour immigration. More specifically, the review has selected those scholarly works that focus specifically on analysingthe manner in which policy-makers have addressed the granting of rights to non-EU migrant workers, and the manner in which policy agendas – through the relevant political and institutional dynamics – have found their translation in the legislation adopted.

More...

0.00 €

№67 The US Labour Immigration Scheme – All about being attractive? EU Perceptions and Stakeholders’ Perspectives Reviewed

№67 The US Labour Immigration Scheme – All about being attractive? EU Perceptions and Stakeholders’ Perspectives Reviewed

Author(s): Katharina Eisele / Language(s): English

Keywords: US Labour Immigration Scheme; EU Perceptions and Stakeholders’ Perspectives; qualified immigrant workers;

Labour immigration schemes that effectively attract qualified immigrant workers are a policy priority for many governments. But what are ‘attractive’ labour immigration schemes and policies? To whom are (or should) such policies (be) attractive? In Europe, the US is often portrayed as one of the most ‘attractive’ countries of immigration – if not the most ‘attractive’. This paper aims to analyse and provide a better understanding of the elements of the US immigration system that are supposedly attractive to foreign workers, by examining key features of the current and prospective US labour immigration rules. The paper finds that ‘attractiveness’ in this policy context is a highly malleable and flexible concept: What might be ‘attractive’ to one key stakeholder might not be to another.

More...

0.00 €

№87 EU-Morocco Cooperation on Readmission, Borders and Protection: A model to follow?

№87 EU-Morocco Cooperation on Readmission, Borders and Protection: A model to follow?

Author(s): Sergio Carrera,Jean-Pierre Cassarino,Nora El Qadim,Mehdi Lahlou,Leonhard Den Hertog / Language(s): Albanian,English

Keywords: EU-Morocco cooperation; Borders and protection; Refugee crisis;

Greater cooperation with third countries is one of the EU’s core responses to the refugee crisis. This cooperation is focused on the read mission of individuals irregularly staying in the EU, on border surveillance and control, and on the reception of refugees in third countries. The EU has attempted to co-opt Turkey and African countries into these priorities, using funding and specific mobility channels as incentives. This paper poses the question of what kind of cooperation the EU should pursue with third countries. As the current approaches are not new, we present the lessons from the EU’s long cooperation with Morocco to inform the current debate. We find that, first, the difficult negotiations on an EU Readmission Agreement with Morocco show that more funding or ‘incentives’ cannot guarantee such an agreement, let alone its implementation. Second, we highlight the challenges of the partly EU-funded and Frontex-coordinated cooperation on borders between Spain and Morocco, which hampers the capacity of third countries to respect migrants’ rights and challenges the obligations of EU member states under European and international law. Third, as EU cooperation with Turkey and Africa now aims to ‘stem’ the flow of asylum-seekers, the capacity of third countries to offer reception and protection to asylum-seekers is crucial. We conclude that Morocco has limited capacities in this regard, which raises the question of whether third countries can be assumed to be able to offer such reception and protection.

More...

0.00 €

№95 Money Talks. Mapping the funding for EU external migration policy

№95 Money Talks. Mapping the funding for EU external migration policy

Author(s): Leonhard Den Hertog / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU external migration policy; Borders; Asylum: EU governance; EU funding;

This paper examines the role of funding in the EU’s external policies on migration, borders and asylum. Academic analysis has looked extensively into the political and legal resources of the EU in this area,but surprisingly little attention has been paid to the role of funding in the governance of this cooperation with third countries. The objective of this paper is first to understand what EU funds are involved and which actors are setting priorities for funding in the field of migration, borders and asylum. This is a highly technical field of EU governance, characterised by complex political and legal dynamics. The funding landscape is fragmented and incoherent, with limited coordination, but this incoherence can be understood in light of the broader political, sociological and institutional struggles that come to the fore in the setting of priorities for funding. This paper argues that a certain degree of incoherence is an inevitable characteristic of EU governance in this field. The bigger issue is the challenge posed to accountability by this EU funding.

More...

0.00 €

Made in the USA? The Influence of the US on the EU’s Data Protection Regime

Made in the USA? The Influence of the US on the EU’s Data Protection Regime

Author(s): Patryk Pawlak / Language(s): English

Keywords: USA; EU; Data Protection Regime; EU’s border security policy; policy-making;

Recent developments have shown that the EU’s border security policy is greatly influenced by the US. This influence simultaneously has implications for other EU policies, including those on data protection. This paper highlights that policy-making at the transatlantic level is increasingly taking place through informal networks, such as the High-Level Political Dialogue on Border and Transportation Security and the High-Level Contact Group on data protection, which allow US involvement in EU policy-making. This tendency stems from the growing personal relationships among policy-makers, the gradual substitution of formal instruments with less formal contracts and informal understandings shaping the content of formal agreements. Drawing from empirical examples of EU–US cooperation on data protection in the context of homeland security, the paper analyses the repercussions of these developments and the issues that remain unresolved, and offers policy recommendations.

More...

0.00 €

Global Jean Monnet/ European Community Studies Association.World Conference 25-26 May 2010

Global Jean Monnet/ European Community Studies Association. World Conference 25-26 May 2010

Author(s): Elspeth Guild / Language(s): English

Keywords: Global Jean Monnet; European Community Studies Association; European Union after the Treaty of Lisbon;

It is difficult to over-estimate the importance, and, in the fullness of time, the impact that theLisbon Treaty has and will have on fundamental rights and citizens of the Union. There are three main reasons for this:• Citizenship of the European Union has finally acquired its Bill of Rights in the form of alegally binding EU Charter of Fundamental Rights; the skeleton that citizenship of the Union once was is now acquiring the flesh and blood it needs to merit the title;• The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights transforms citizenship in the EU as it redefines whois entitled to ‘bundles of rights’ that inform the meaning of citizenship and belonging;

More...

0.00 €

Assessing EU Policy on Irregular Immigration under the Stockholm Programme

Assessing EU Policy on Irregular Immigration under the Stockholm Programme

Author(s): / Language(s): English

Keywords: EU Policy; Irregular Immigration; Stockholm Programme;

The relationship between EU policy and the rights of undocumented migrants remains in tension. The status and treatment granted to undocumented migrants continues to be ‘invisible’ in EU policy strategies and responses. This is so despite the wide recognition and evidence of the vulnerability and insecurities these persons face in their access to fundamental rights. The ‘policy gap’ between current European policy-making under the third multi-annual programme on the Union’s Area of Freedom, Security and Justice – the Stockholm Programme – and the results emerging from social science research funded by EU institutions has been assessed and evidenced elsewhere. This collection of papers aims at moving the debate forward by substantiating these findings with the experiences and knowledge of a selected group of EU umbrella (civil society) organisations and practitioners representing key institutions in Europe on fundamental human rights.

More...

0.00 €

A Race against Solidarity. The Schengen Regime and the Franco-Italian Affair

A Race against Solidarity. The Schengen Regime and the Franco-Italian Affair

Author(s): Elspeth Guild,Sergio Carrera,Massimo Merlino,Joanna Parkin / Language(s): English

Keywords: Solidarity; Schengen Regime; Franco-Italian affair; mobility prevention; Diplomatic row;

In April 2011, France reintroduced internal border checks with Italy to prevent mobility by North African immigrants who hold temporary residence permits issued by Italy and who had entered the EU from Tunisia as a result of revolutions and war in the southern Mediterranean region. This has caused a diplomatic row between the two countries, as well as reactions by other EU member states and at the EU levels. This paper examines the compatibility of the Italian and French measures with EU border legislation and legal principles as well as the foundations of the Schengen regime. It argues that the Franco-Italian affair illustrates a ‘race tothe bottom’ on European principles of solidarity, loyal cooperation and fundamental rights. The affair ultimately reveals the very limits and unfinished elements of the EU’s immigration and border policies. Finally, the paper puts forward policy recommendations to the parties involved.

More...

0.00 €

Customs Cooperation in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. The role of customs in the management of the EU’s external border

Customs Cooperation in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice. The role of customs in the management of the EU’s external border

Author(s): Peter Hobbing / Language(s): English

Keywords: Customs Cooperation; management of the EU’s external border; international standards;

This study contrasts the current role of customs at the EU’s external borders with the role it was intended to perform according to international standards in border management. There is a considerable imbalance between the involvement of customs and border guards, which impedes the smooth operation of border control and poses security risks for the Union and its citizens, including terrorist attacks. This paper analyses the causes of this imbalance and proposes appropriate solutions that are in line with international standards.

More...

0.00 €

A farewell to open borders? The Danish Approach

A farewell to open borders? The Danish Approach

Author(s): Peter Hobbing / Language(s): English

Keywords: Open borders; borderless Europe; Danish initiative; EU;

Migratory pressure from abroad and populist trends in Europe have already put considerable stress on borderless Europe, despite the open borders being one of its most precious achievements. But what in the past could be seen as annoying yet temporary disturbances attained an entirely different character under the Danish initiative launched in early May 2011. The move to install permanent controls, including customs houses and video surveillance, alarmed not just Brussels but also travelers and business associations EU wide. Even though the new government has since banished the nightmare by repealing the border measures, one should still not sound the ‘all clear’ signal. With populist parties all over Europe, similar scenarios are likely to arise elsewhere.

More...

0.00 €

Labour Migration and Unemployment. What can we learn from EU rules on the free movement of workers?

Labour Migration and Unemployment. What can we learn from EU rules on the free movement of workers?

Author(s): Sergio Carrera,Elspeth Guild / Language(s): English

Keywords: Labour Migration; Unemployment; EU rules; free movements;

This paper examines the impact of labour migration on unemployment in the context of the EU’s accession of Bulgaria and Romania and EU rules on the free movement of workers. It addresses in particular the following two questions. First, does intra-EU labour migration correlate with employment/unemploymentrates in host or home member states during periods of unsettled growth? Second, how have member states reacted in terms of restricting or allowing access to their labour markets by EU-2 workers during thetransitional periods?

More...