Jean Pisani-Ferry says that if successful, the common policy on energy can be a lesson in how to address the challenge of diversity among 27 countries, and how to clarify the respective tasks of the EU and the member states. But it can also become a kind of Lisbon II or fall victim to economic nationalism. Click here to download this comment. Read more
Bruegel blog
-
Europe must heed the lessons of Lisbon on Energy Policy
31st July 2007
-
For whom are accounting standards set?
18th July 2007
Nicolas Véron comments on the increasing power and influence of the IASB as a result of universal adoption of the International Financial Reporting Standards. This situation is giving rise to new and complex conflicts, illustrated by the debate about the IFRS 8 standard on business segments. Click here to download this comment. This comment was also published by La Tribune. Read more
-
What was he doing at the Eurogroup?
9th July 2007
Jean Pisani-Ferry comments on the significance of President Sarkozy‘s visit to the Euro group. What does this mean for the discussions on the governance of the euro area? What can a sensible French agenda look like and what conditions will France have to meet to be accepted by the rest of the group? Click here to download this comment. This comment was also published by Eurointelligence and Le Monde. Read more
-
A tale about the Euro exchange rate policy
7th July 2007
Jean Pisani-Ferry tells a tale about Euroland. Prince Nicolas of France wanted to wake up the Sleeping Beauty, known as the common exchange rate policy, but a fairy called Angela disagreed. Is there a sensible way out of the dispute and can the Europeans live happily every after? Click here to download this comment. This comment was also published by Challenges. Read more
-
Challenges for Rato's successor
2nd July 2007
Jean Pisani-Ferry comments on the issues raised by Rodrigo de Rato‘s surprise resignation from the IMF. He says the fund, whose main role is to facilitate global consultations and arbitrate currency disputes, will need a more balanced shareholder structure in the future. Click here to download this comment in Spanish. This comment was also published by Cinco Dias. Read more
-
Can the American dream continue here?
28th June 2007
Alan Ahearne comments on Ireland‘s strong economic ties to the United States. US firms last year paid an eye-popping 2.4 billion in corporation tax to the Irish Exchequer, amounting to one-third of the total corporation tax take. Click here to download this comment. This comment was also published in Irish Times. Read more
-
Testing times for the IMF and for Europe
26th June 2007
Jean Pisani-Ferry comments on the challenges the IMF are facing in telling the Chinese that time has come to let their currency appreciate. For several years, the US Treasury has been trying to do the same, mostly in vain. The advantages of IMF involvement are clear both for the US and from a global standpoint, but it is risky business politically. Click here to download this comment. This comment was also published by Financial Times Deutschland. Read more
-
So far, so good for the Mittals
25th June 2007
Nicolas Véron comments on one year of management of Arcelor (now ArcelorMittal) by Lakshmi and Aditya Mittal. He finds it rather successful, rather than the disaster predicted by some during the hostile takeover battle in 2006. Click here to download this comment. This comment was also published by La Tribune. Read more
-
Gouvernance de l'IASB: une réforme indispensable
17th June 2007
Nicolas Véron discusses the governance of the International Accounting Standards Board and the reforms necessary to secure its sustainability. Click here to download this comment. Read more
-
France's Fiscal follies
14th June 2007
André Sapir comments on the Commission's forecasts saying that in 2007, France will have the highest level of public expenditure of all EU countries, and risks to increase its budget deficit above the limit set by the Stability and Growth Pact. Click here to download this comment. This comment was also published by Telos. Read more