Archive for the ‘European Union’ Category
RIPPLES: THE LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION – Video
RIPPLES: THE LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
FINAL VERSION OF OUR DOCUMENTARY ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR NATIONAL HISTORY DAY. FEATURES MUSIC BY KORELESS + SBTRKT ...
By: Andrew Shepherd
See the original post here:
RIPPLES: THE LEADERSHIP AND LEGACY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION - Video
Terror in Paris: How Can the U.S. Help in the Shootings at Charlie Hebdo? – Video
Terror in Paris: How Can the U.S. Help in the Shootings at Charlie Hebdo?
Jan. 7 -- Crisis Communications Expert Doug Heye and Bloomberg View Columnist Cass Sunstein discuss rising anti-European Union populism and the impact of the shootings at the French satirical...
By: Bloomberg Business
Read the original:
Terror in Paris: How Can the U.S. Help in the Shootings at Charlie Hebdo? - Video
European Union and 2015 elections
The recent Memorandum of Understanding with the European Union by the Federal Government to ensure violence-free fair and credible elections in 2015, as divulged by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Danjuma Sheni, could not have come at a better time.
These observers, it is hoped, among many others things, will help the local observers and the Independent National Electoral Commission in making sure that the 2015 elections are free, fair and credible judging from the 2011 elections in which the EU sees as the freest, fairest and credible elections.
But I have pondered about these election monitors sent to observe elections in Nigeria over time.
Have they really helped Nigeria to strengthen our democratic institutions? It is as if the elections are the only important event and, they never mind, how the winners behave between the day after these and, the next elections.
How essential, has, election surveillance been to our national life by the EU so far beyond just being there? Many pundits agree that it has not achieved much since 1999.
The effect is the destruction of the democratic magnifying glass that ought to make this country move forward.
Instructively, Nigeria is not beyond repairs. If the Berlin Wall can tumble leading to the unification of East and West Germany and to the liberation of many impoverished people in the communists affiliated-bloc of the former USSR, then we can also be liberated within, but, the country has to adopt certain measures as a way of life.
When the opposition parties honestly criticise the policies of government, one anticipates that ombudsmen appointed by the administration will investigate criticisms as a matter of course for development.
Democracy should not be only an attention-grabbing exercise and its dividends have to scale downwards for national growth. If governance by the ruling party goes contrary to this principle, criticism becomes necessary by the people and opposition and the party in power must not overreact.
Most politicians today get away with what the people allow them to get away with. If all groups of people genuinely put the elected to task, then we should expect a few more straightforward ones and a host of others with sterling qualities.
Go here to read the rest:
European Union and 2015 elections
EU Proposes 1.8 Billion Euros of New Support for Ukraine
The European Union is considering a further 1.8 billion euros ($2.1 billion) in aid to Ukraine to help the former Soviet republic overhaul its economy, which has been ravaged by a separatist conflict in its easternmost regions.
The European Commission, the EU executive, said the fresh loans, on top of $17 billion already pledged in the International Monetary Fund-led rescue of the troubled country, were contingent on the Ukrainian government pushing through economic reform measures and fighting corruption.
The EU has provided unprecedented financial support and todays proposal proves that we are ready to continue providing that support, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said today in a statement. Solidarity goes hand in hand with commitment to reform, which is urgently needed in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government is grappling with the deepest recession since 2009, with an economic contraction that reached 7.5 percent last year, according to the nations central bank. The authorities in Kiev are seeking a further $15 billion to patch up an economy damaged by the conflict that has killed at least 4,700 people and injured more than 10,000.
Disbursement of the aid, which must still be approved by the European Parliament and the EUs 28 governments, will depend on Ukraines adherence to the conditions of the IMF program, which include fiscal consolidation, changes in the energy and banking industries, and other measures, the commission said.
This would be the EUs third package of loans to Ukraine, following two totaling 1.6 billion euros approved last year. A final portion of 250 million euros from the earlier aid is due to be given within the first months of this year, according to the commission.
To contact the reporter on this story: Ian Wishart in Riga, Latvia at iwishart@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alan Crawford at acrawford6@bloomberg.net Jones Hayden, Peter Chapman
Press spacebar to pause and continue. Press esc to stop.
Go here to read the rest:
EU Proposes 1.8 Billion Euros of New Support for Ukraine