China and the world economy: a European perspective
by Jean Pisani-Ferry on 12 March 2010
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Category: POLICY CONTRIBUTIONS
Topics: European and global governance
Jean Pisani-Ferry discusses the emergence of China as a key economic and global player from a European perspective. Looking ahead, this paper focuses on two key aspects, the rebalancing of global growth and the strengthening of global governance, and explains how these will shape Sino-European economic relations. The author argues that now is the time for high-quality dialogue between policymakers from both sides. China and the European Union must overcome their institutional differences to pave the way for fruitful economic cooperation.
Financial-Transaction Tax:Small Is Beautiful
by Zsolt Darvas, Jakob von Weizsäcker on 08 February 2010
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Category: POLICY CONTRIBUTIONS
Topics: Financial markets and regulation
Based on their contribution to the European Parliament Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, in this Policy Contribution Resident Fellows Zsolt Darvas and Jakob von Weizsäcker discuss the merits of the much-discussed financial-transaction tax. They argue that the case for taxing financial transactions for the sake of not raising revenue is relatively weak, but a financial-transaction tax could be useful in limiting socially-undesirable transactions. On this basis, they say, a very small, coordinated tax on financial transactions could be implemented successfully.
Memo to the New Digital Agenda Commissioner
by Bruno van Pottelsberghe , Reinhilde Veugelers on 25 January 2010
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Category: POLICY CONTRIBUTIONS
Topics: Research, innovation and growth
Senior Resident Fellows Reinhilde Veugelers and Bruno van Pottelsberghe provide recommendations for the term of new Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes in this supplement to Bruegel's Memos to the New Commission: Europe's Economic Priorities 2010-2015. They argue that Kroes should move past a focus on infrastructure and concentrate more on ICT's potential to contribute to growth in the European Union. This should include a focus on emerging ICT products and services to helpl foster an ICT single market and more public support for R&D and innovation, through tailored programmes designed to aid high-risk innovative projects conceived by new ICT companies.
The EU’s Role in Supporting Crisis-Hit Countries in Central and Eastern Europe
by Zsolt Darvas on 31 December 2009
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Category: POLICY CONTRIBUTIONS
Topics: New Member States, Enlargement and Neighbourhood
The crisis has hit central and eastern European countries harder than other regions of the world. In this policy contribution Resident Scholar Zsolt Darvas looks at the role of the EU and its institutions in supporting crisis-hit CEE countries; the stabilising effects of the EU’s coordinated multilateral financial assistance; and the commitment shown by Western European banks to the region. However Darvas argues that there were certain actions, or failures to act, on the part of EU institutions and governments, that have amplified the effects on CEE countries of the crisis. The European Central Bank has given little direct support to non-euro-area countries, and the EU has done little for EU neighbourhood countries. Meanwhile, euro-area membership has shielded from the crisis some countries with worse fundamentals than certain CEE countries.
Memo to the new Commissioner for Energy
by Georg Zachmann on 30 December 2009
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Category: POLICY CONTRIBUTIONS
Topics: Climate change and energy
In this paper Resident Scholar Georg Zachmann analyses the recent developments in European energy policy and looks at the upcoming challenges in this area making a number of recommendations to the newly appointed Energy Commissioner. Zachmann notes that while liberalising energy markets and combating climate change will remain top priorities in the next term of office, securing energy supplies and energy price issues might temporarily lose some appeal due to the crisis-induced energy demand dip. He claims that mitigating climate change, directing investments in network infrastructure and creating a single energy market should be the three interlinked priorities for the Energy Commissioner.
This policy contribution is a supplement to ‘Bruegel memos to the new Commission: Europe’s economic priorities 2010-2015' published 27 August 2009 and available at www.bruegel.org/nc/publications.html