Der Standard writes that Europe is entirely at the mercy of Russia in energy matters, which makes a strategic "energy rescue package" a matter of utmost importance: "The bad news for Europe is that our dependence on Russian gas will grow markedly in the years to come. At present 42 percent of the EU's natural gas comes from Russia. This figure will increase to between 65 and 70 percent by 2020, while Norway and Algeria will lose importance as suppliers. ... If it is possible to invest hundreds of billions of euros in saving banks, it should also be possible to come up with similar sums for the energy sector to prevent Europe from being increasingly subject to political extortion. And rapid investments in solar energy, bioenergy, hydrogen vehicles and insulating buildings as part of an 'energy Marshall Plan' could give a huge boost to the economy." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Energy, » Economic Policy, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Michael Moravec

In view of the gas crisis Slovakia plans to put its antiquated Bohunice nuclear power plant, which was only decommissioned at the end of 2008, back into operation. The liberal daily Sme criticises this "dramatic decision": "We were allowed to join the EU because we promised to close Bohunice, and not close it and then reopen it at the first sign of frost. We became members of the EU because we promised to behave like a trustworthy partner. And trustworthiness is a quality that is of utmost importance at present. On the one side we have the unreliable Russians and Ukrainians; on the other we need a reliable Europe. Slovakia once again faces the serious question of which culture it stands closer to: Bohunice stinks of Russia." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU enlargement, » EU Policy, » Energy, » Slovakia, » Ukraine, » Russia
All available articles from » Matúš Kostolný

The gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine prompts the Spanish daily ABC to call for a new debate on the production and use of nuclear power: "The European Union cannot lead a debate that is such a sensitive issue for many governments. But nor can we afford to ignore that the decision to pull out of nuclear power must now be reconsidered with realism and without demagogy. It is incomprehensible that Spain has given up this source of energy only to buy electricity from French power stations. The second half of the strategy must without doubt consist in increasing energy exchange among the member states. ... This is not the first time that such a situation has arisen owing to the gas that flows through Ukraine, and it probably won't be the last. But we must ensure that there is no repeat of the way it has affected the citizens of Europe." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » EU Policy, » Energy, » Ukraine, » Russia, » Europe

Although many Czechs still put little stock in their country's EU Council presidency, Prague is currently proving itself in the gas dispute, writes the Frankfurter Rundschau. "The country's mediation of the control agreement in the gas conflict between Russian and Ukraine has taken the wind out of the sails of sceptics who had doubted Prague's ability to assume a leadership role. ... The Czechs can use their excellent contacts to the East to foster dialogue between Russia and Ukraine - to the benefit of the entire EU. ... The Czechs see themselves as mediators between the EU and countries like Ukraine and Serbia, which have long pinned their hopes on accession. In this dialogue the Czech Republic is a credible partner for the other former Eastern Bloc countries." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Energy, » Czech Republic, » Ukraine, » Russia, » Europe
All available articles from » Kilian Kirchgessner

The national newspaper NRC Handelsblad writes that the gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine has once again highlighted the need for countries that buy gas from Russia to develop alternatives to Russian pipelines. The Netherlands, which continues to be a gas producer, wants "to become Western Europe's gas hub: the focal point for storage and handling": This is a healthy and, in view of the current infrastructure, technically feasible plan. It is to be hoped that the Netherlands will be able to integrate its national ambitions into European policy. Naturally the main goal is for the West to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels through energy diversification. But as long as gas and oil continue to be indispensable the fact remains that it is only by joining forces that the importing countries can offer an effective counterweight to the accumulated power of the producing states." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Energy, » Netherlands, » Europe

Following the anti-Semitic demonstrations staged by the Islamist organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir in Copenhagen, the daily Der Nordschleswiger fears the Gaza conflict could extend to Denmark: "Naturally the Palestinians living here in Denmark are deeply moved by the tragic events in their home country. They have every right to stage protests against Israel here. ... However, the incident in Odense, where two Palestinians recently shot down an Israeli, and the statement of a (Danish!) school director telling Jewish pupils to stay away from schools attended by Palestinian pupils are completely unacceptable. ... No one can want a proxy war on Danish soil. And tough measures must be taken to avoid this if necessary. Palestinians living in Denmark need to be protected, but the same goes for the Jews in this country who should not be made to fear (once more) for their lives!" (10/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » Domestic Policy, » Denmark, » Middle East

Lega Nord, the coalition partner in the conservative Italian government, has proposed the introduction of a tax of 50 euros on residency permits for foreigners as well as a surety of 10,000 euros to be paid by each immigrant who applies for a VAT number. The left liberal daily La Repubblica sees the "immigrant tax" as an "ideological excrescence" of a "populist and xenophobic party": "The Lega's proposal conveys the impression of a tawdry and anti-historical Right. ... It cynically singles out the common enemy, immigrants, and arbitrarily imposes an act of collective cruelty: a penalty duty for those who come to Italy to work or apply to be able to work in accordance with the laws of the Republic. ... This regulation is quite simply the legal implementation of a deep political ignorance and profound social intolerance. It is the juristic mask of racism. All political forces must be set in motion to counter it." (11/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Migration, » Minorities, » Tax Policy, » Italy
All available articles from » Massimo Giannini

Sega newspaper fears that a new wave of left-wing terrorism is gaining ground in Greece. The "Revolutionary Struggle" movement, which has claimed responsibility for the attacks in December, appears to be the successor of the "17 November" terror group, the paper writes: "Within just a few weeks a new organisation, 'Revolutionary Struggle', has perpetrated bloody attacks on state institutions and security services. Until now little has been discovered about the organisation. Radical youths are said to be behind it, selected and mobilised by the old core of '17 November'. ... These new terrorists are marked by professionalism and agressiveness, and clearly seem to be on good terms with similar organisations, including those outside of Greece. This means we can now expect to see more attacks that will claim the lives of innocent victims." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Bulgaria
All available articles from » Svetoslav Abrosimov

In view of the upcoming elections to the European Parliament (EP) in June, the daily De Volkskrant asks whether such an institution is at all necessary, commenting that its role as an instrument of democratic control is equally questionable. "It is precisely because of the EP that national parliaments have been able to stage a comeback, because democratic control is already covered at the EP level. National parliaments barely make use of the instruments at their disposal to exercise democratic control on European policy. ... Democracy is considered the highest good, and for that reason it is probably the last taboo. It would be politically correct to support the pretty slogans touting European democracy. But there are good reasons for reconsidering the role of the EP. Its legitimacy depends on many factors, and if the national parliaments play their part, European democracy can function perfectly well without the European Parliament." (09/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Europe
All available articles from » Adriaan Schout, » Jeroen van Dijken

The EU is in the midst of a profound political crisis owing to the lack of consensus among its members, the daily Kathimerini writes. "While the US, China and Russia can all make avail of united political forces which are able to put together a plan to counter the economic crisis with relative ease, ... the EU is having difficulties even accomplishing the most obvious goal: ... finding a common policy. This economic crisis appears ... to lead to either the destruction of the vision of a united Europe or to an acceleration of the processes resulting in a politically united Europe. Europe needs a voice, a direction and a united role in the global system. In its present fragmented state, in which all that holds it together are a common currency and a single market, it will not be able to deal with the crisis and the restructuring of the markets." (11/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Europe
All available articles from » Giannis Kotofolos

Le Monde dedicates its leading article to the fight against Islamist terrorism and criticises the behaviour of outgoing US President George W. Bush: "Washington ceased to look for political solutions ... in the name of the 'war on terror'. Because Hamas, the Jihadists, the militants in the Kashmir and the Taliban all used terrorism ... Washington limited itself to supporting all those who opposed it. ... 'Islamist terrorism' was presented as a monolithic entity with which no negotiations were possible - you don't do deals with evil. ... Yet in former times the United States did not wait for the PLO to recognise Israel's right to exist before entering negotiations. And it also didn't hesitate to work hand in hand with extremist Islamists to oust the Soviets from Afghanistan. The real change came with George Bush, who broke with this ideology under the influence of neo-conservatism. Under Bush it became an enemy which embodies absolute evil and against whom no policing action could be of any avail. ... Now war, and only war, could do the trick." (10/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Security Policy / Crises / War, » U.S., » Global

University professor João César das Neves asks in the daily Diário de Notícias how relevant international news really is for our lives: "Our forefathers were better informed about the things that are really important than we are today. In the past we lived in small villages and everyone knew all there was to know about everything and everyone. ... Today, with our urban anonymity ... our knowledge of the things that really affect us has become minimal. But we know all about things that are totally irrelevant for us. Wars and election campaigns thousands of kilometres away, suspicions and a plethora of disasters form part of our daily information diet. The US president has less influence on our daily lives that the local deputy mayor, yet for months we followed the campaign that led to Barack Obama's election, while we probably don't even know the name of our local deputy mayor. ... Our interest in news is not necessarily the result of a thirst for knowledge, but of a need for entertainment. Reality is boring and complicated. This is why mankind invented myths, legends and epics. ... The information age has solved the problem. There is always something exciting happening somewhere in the world. News reflects reality and is entertaining at the same time, even though most of the time it's irrelevant for us. ... But it makes us feel very important and intelligent to talk about such international subjects." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » Domestic Policy, » Audiovisual Media, » Print media, » Online media, » Global
All available articles from » João César das Neves

Le Temps discusses in its leading article the prolongation of free movement of labour between the EU and Switzerland: "The economic argument weighs heavily in the negotiations to prolong the Agreement on Free Movement of Persons with the EU. Facilitated access to European labourers has clearly benefited the economy in recent years. Unfortunately there is a lack of studies concentrating on the changes of companies' personnel policies since June 2004, when the preference for Swiss workers was abolished. ... Under these conditions it is impossible to determine the exact consequences of free movement of labour. ... Even if politicians are beholden to closely examine the undesirable consequences of free movement of persons, these consequences cannot reverse the positive effects, which must be preserved for our country to experience an economic upturn." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » EU Policy, » Economic Policy, » Switzerland, » Europe
All available articles from » Willy Boder

To create new jobs even in times of crisis, it is important to help the so-called "gazelle companies", the daily Svenska Dagbladet writes. Gazelle companies are companies that register strong growth over a period of several years. "A dynamic climate is marked by low corporate tax, protection against dismissal that is not coupled to the number of years a person has worked for a company, and a wide range of possibilities for private social insurance. The number of gazelles can increase when many people have to invest in new companies. They can grow when labour laws encourage competent people to change jobs and try out new things instead of jealously guarding their own place in the queue. Collective saving, penalty taxes on dividends and the principle of 'last hired, first to be fired' are characteristics typical of leopards. And they eat gazelles." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Corporations, » Sweden
All available articles from » Anders Linder

Prince Harry, heir to the British throne, was at the centre of a scandal when it became known that he used racist language while in the army three years ago. The Times writes that language taboos are increasingly important for a multicultural society: "To brand Prince Harry a racist because of a remark recorded on video three years ago is absurd. But to suggest that what he said was not offensive and, to many people, insulting is also wrong. He was right to apologise. ... Over the years, attitudes to racial abuse have, rightly, hardened. What was considered a generation ago as merely jocular, old-fashioned or mildly unkind is now seen as deeply offensive. Partly this is because Britain has become more truly multicultural and sensitive to the dangers of prejudice. Partly it is because race, despite vast improvements in integration, understanding and social cohesion, remains a dividing factor that is easily exploited by bigots and demagogues." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Integration, » Minorities, » United Kingdom

Inspired by the broadcast reform in France, the Spanish daily El País reflects on public television in the different countries of Europe. "In many countries viewers pay fees for owning a television. This model prevents people from assuming as they do in Spain that public television doesn't cost a thing. ... We shouldn't rule out the idea of television entirely financed by public funds. Yet it would have to provide programming that serves the general public and not the government, and it must not use the money and other advantages just to repeat the offer provided by private broadcasters. We should be putting our minds to work envisaging a useful and inexpensive television service." (12/01/2009)

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More from the press review on the subject » Audiovisual Media, » Media policy, » France, » Europe