Sabine Verhest considers that the European Commission "did a good job dealing with the intense lobbying it endured for months and is now sending out a positive message to Europe and the world. It is obliging member states and their firms to make a real effort, to see the green revolution as an opportunity rather than a threat or punishment, to use it as a trampoline to innovate and create new jobs. ... It is now a question of continuing to set an example and taking on the responsibility of its status as leader and rich region. If by any chance the Union were to fail in respecting its objectives for the lowering of pollutant emissions before the 2009 climate conference in Copenhagen, it would loose all credibility and sabotage post-Kyoto international negotiations in the future. This is a heavy responsibility." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Środowisko, » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Sabine Verhest

The Irish daily takes relatively positive view of the EU's environmental plan and its local implications. "The EU system is good at this kind of transnational negotiation; it enjoys widespread support from ordinary citizens throughout the member states who believe global warming must be handled at EU level if it is to be addressed effectively. The talks should also be informed by a growing public understanding that once the difficult transition to more sustainable policies is made there will be many benefits for all concerned. Among them at national level is the prospect of reduced energy import bills once renewables come on stream, or the economic stimulus flowing from technological and entrepreneurial innovation in the fast-developing field of environmental economics. These have genuine competitive advantages for Ireland and other member states in a world that badly needs such breakthroughs." (24/01/2008)

» Dalsze informacje (Link zewnętrzny, angielski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Środowisko, » Irlandia, » Europa

Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger criticises EU climate policy: "From Berlin to Wiesbaden to Brussels, the climate debate is frequently conducted as if climate protection only costs 'peanuts'; or the question of cost is considered immoral from the outset, in light of award-winning scenarios of catastrophe. But one of the commandments of political integrity is to put everything on the table. It's going to cost something to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and to drastically increase renewable energy – energy will cost more, and jobs will be lost as production is outsourced. We could well be on the road to Germany's de-industrialization, as in the sad case of Nokia." (24/01/2008)

» Strona www (Link zewnętrzny, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Środowisko, » Energia, » Niemcy, » Europa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Klaus-Dieter Frankenberger

In Sweden, Greenpeace is criticizing EU demands to reduce greenhouse gasses as too lax. On the other hand, the Svenskt Näringsliv business association complains that Sweden places a greater burden on business than do other countries. The paper sees this as a sign that the Commission is absolutely right in its evaluation of Sweden. "Most importantly, the concrete and ambitious work can now begin. If the Commission's packet more or less survives this ongoing process, it can set a positive spiral in motion, in which the hurdles can be constantly raised - not only in the EU but also in other countries. Instead of sneering, everyone should rejoice that the starting shot has finally been fired, even if the finish line is still far away. When it comes to the environment, you'll never be able to find a common denominator of idealism, realism and self-interest." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, szwedzki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Środowisko, » Energia, » Szwecja, » Europa

The daily points out that "there seems to be some confusion in Brussels. The head of the EC, Jose Manuel Barroso, spoke this week about the possibility of giving European companies their carbon allowances under the ETS [Emissions Trading Scheme] free of charge if an international agreement on cutting emissions fails to materialise. But this would render the whole system useless. What incentive would there be for firms to reduce emissions in such circumstances? ... The Commission must not fall into the trap of imagining that it can rely on the market – in the form of the ETS – to do all the hard work. Even if the ETS is beefed up sufficiently, emissions from transport will be reduced only by taxation – and that will entail a good deal of political pain. Setting out targets is the easy part. European leaders must be prepared for the tough political battle ahead." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, angielski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka UE, » Środowisko, » Wielka Brytania, » Europa

'Echo Moskvy' is considered the last oppositional radio broadcaster in Russia. Editor in chief Alexey Venediktov tells Hungary's Russia correspondent András Németh who's responsible for the current chill between the West and Russia: "The West did not recognize the transition between the eras of Yeltsin and Putin, and looked away as the current president enforced order upon Chechnya. Exaggerated politeness toward Moscow is a big mistake, because the Russian elite considers this attitude a sign of weakness. You have to deal with Russia fairly but decisively. Putin and the Russian elite would like to remain members of the G8. So they should have to play by the rules in this club of major powers. If everyone in this club wears green sports jackets with yellow buttons, anyone who wears a blue sports jacket has to find another club. It seems to me that the west has too long allowed Putin to show up dressed inappropriately." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, węgierski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Stosunki międzynarodowe, » Rosja, » Europa
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » András Németh, » Alexej Wenediktow

In an interview conducted by François Armanet, the philosopher Daniel Bensaïd explains how globalisation is transforming political action. "We are seeing a brutal modification of the conditions for political activity, both temporal and spatial, that had prevailed since the big revolutions of the 17th and 18th centuries. The notions of sovereignty, of the people, the nation, territory, have been been upheaved without actually being replaced. The global war, without limits in time or space, decreed by Bush following 9/11, puts current international law into question. ... We continue to act in several areas at once (economic, juridical, ecological, and cultural). For three centuries, national territory had become politically dominant. The social power balance and corresponding rights were established around this. Today we are obliged to act on a moving scale of tightly-knit areas." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Filozofia, » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Daniel Bensaïd, » François Armanet

At the end of January, the EU Commission is to publish a new, interim progress report on justice reform in Romania. By June, the commission will decide whether protective clauses should be applied as a sanction. Luca Niculescu comments: "You don't have to be a keen observer to see that justice reform is failing. True, former Justice Minister Tudor Chiuariu managed to get Parliament to approve the founding of an Integrity Authority, but thus far it has not worked. In the fight against corruption, too, nothing has changed: The so-called 'big fish' are not fried. ... So how should the EU Commission react to this gloomy situation? The January report is expected to be quite negative. Brussels certainly doesn't want to apply its painful sanctions for the first time, but Romania seems to be making every effort to achieve this." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, rumuński)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Rozszerzenie UE, » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Rumunia
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Luca Niculescu

Manouchehr Mottaki, the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs paid a visit to Lisbon on January 23rd. "Iran sees Portugal as a strategic partner economically as well as diplomatically", explains the daily. "On the one hand, Tehran is opening its doors to investment from Galp [Portuguese petrol company] in the Iranian petrol and gas sector, with the possible quid pro quo of having Sines [town in south-western Portugal] become a portal for the European importation of Iranian energy. On the other hand, Lisbon appears to be a capital that is regularly chosen by Iranians leaders as a diplomatic platform. ... Such a strategic relationship will however always be subject to Portugal's insistence that the basis of a good relationship is no military adventurism, respect for the basic rules of the IAEA and firm guarantees that the nuclear project will remain strictly civil." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, portugalski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Stosunki międzynarodowe, » Energia, » Portugalia, » Iran

Latvia has declared a Russian diplomat to be persona non grata, and thrown him out. The previous case was in 2004. Askolds Rodins suspects that, once again, there is an unspoken charge of spying: "President Zatler's visit to Moscow could indicate that both sides are ready to build normal neighbourly relations. But this sort of trip must not be made in a hurry, nor at any price. Last year, Moscow repeatedly took a hard line with us regarding the border treaty. We can't allow our president's visit to become a pretext for pushing us to behave ourselves. Let's not forget that Latvia is first and foremost a member of the EU and NATO. Our relationship to our Russian neighbour comes second. Even if Moscow would love to see us as its Trojan horse in the EU." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, łotewski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Stosunki międzynarodowe, » Polityka bezpieczeństwa / Kryzys / Wojna, » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Łotwa, » Rosja
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Askolds Rodins

The state of Hesse in Germany holds elections this coming Sunday. The state's premier Roland Koch (CDU) has polarized the campaign with statements about youth criminality. "With his talk about foreigners, Roland Koch has forced Germany to debate integration policy, something he hardly could have intended," comments the weekly paper, which also published open letters from such prominent Turkish Germans as writer Feridun Zaimoglu and actress Renan Demirkan. "These days, Germany's foreigners have a completely different identity. Where are the good old Turks of yesteryear, the apolitical masses, bound to their far-off homeland? Today, Turkish-born Germans have an unquenchable thirst for politics. Every day, papers like 'Sabah' or 'Hürriyet' publish long reports on the election campaign. At the start of this week, 'Hürriyet' even put out a 24-page election insert. How many native German readers are so enthusiastic for politics on the state level? Of course, immigrants don't decide the election on their own. But their voices have weight. … Given that 4.4 million people in Hesse have the right to vote, the potential of some 200,000 votes is nothing to sneeze at." (24/01/2008)

» Strona www (Link zewnętrzny, Die Zeit)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Migracja, » Integracja, » Niemcy

On January 22nd, Fadela Amara, Secretary of State for Urban Affairs, presented the outline of her plan called 'Espoir Banlieues' (Suburb Hope). "Twenty or so Ministers of Urban Affairs, both left-wing and right-wing, have laid down numerous plans aimed to fight all forms of exclusion that have gradually ghettoised hundreds of neighbourhoods on the outskirts of medium-sized and large towns", recalls the daily. "For weeks, the cacophonous shambles surrounding the preparation of the 'Espoir Banlieues' plan announced by Mme Amara shows the difficulty of the exercise. ... Between individuals and regions, urbanism and social, suburbs and city-centres, social and security approaches, arbitration is all the more delicate since the budgetary means are inexistent and the electoral climate ahead of the coming municipal elections are parasitic. The worst thing that could be done would be to act as if anything were possible." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, francuski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Francja

The European Central Bank (ECB) declared on January 23rd that a lowering of interest rates is not, for the time being, on schedule in the eurozone, contrary to the American Federal Reserve that reduced its main interest rate in order to try and calm down the current crisis in the stock exchange. The daily criticises the ECB for being so inflexible. "It is difficult to imagine in the context of a strong euro, of a hike in petrol prices, of fragile household consumption, of a drop in investments, of mushrooming unemployment and of a financial crisis, that inflation represents a threat greater than growth. ... One day we will have to strike the Gordian knot that condemns Europe to live crises even longer and more intense than those in the United States. The ECB would gain moral authority and political weight to demand necessary structural reforms if it were to place monetary policy at the service of recovery." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, hiszpański)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Stosunki międzynarodowe, » Rynki finansowe, » Europa, » USA

Slovakia's government is planning a new media law, which – according to OSCE media commissioner Miklós Haraszti – breaks some basic democratic rules. According to the new law, for example, the minister of culture may investigate an article's "believability" and fine an editorial board for "abuses." The government seems unimpressed by the OSCE criticism. Marián Leško says it all reminds him of the days when autocratic Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar was in power: "Neither subaltern officials nor the Minister of Culture can easily ignore the opinion of the OSCE's media commissioner. This is an OSCE emissary who checks that press freedom is protected in member states. And Slovakia has pledged to cooperate. … If the Fico administration simply ignores the OSCE statement, then it's just like the old Mečiar days. A government that damages the state." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, słowacki)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka medialna, » Słowacja
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Marián Leško

Journalist Kira Cochrane is glad to observe that "some of the most groundbreaking and exciting graphic novels of the past few years have been written - and devoured - by women, including Alison Bechdel's 'Fun Home' and Marjane Satrapi's 'Persepolis' ... . The workforce and output of the comics industry has long been male-dominated, with conventional wisdom holding that girls don't read comics. In this environment, sexism has flourished. Female characters have often been drawn in pin-up poses - even while in combat - with breasts like zeppelins and be-thonged bottoms. ... The trend was summed up last year by a figurine ... showing Spider-man's wife, Mary Jane, bent over a bucket, ... as she handwashed her husband's jumpsuit. And when not engrossed in their lover's laundry, women comic book characters have regularly been subject to horrific violence. ... those days of comics being just for the boys may finally, thankfully, be over." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, angielski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Styl życia, » Cały świat
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Kira Cochrane

Czechs are taking higher costs and a narrower social safety net in stride, finds sociologist Jan Keller. Prague used to be the first place for protests. "Today's elite sees to it that Prague's quality of life is higher than that in the rest of the country. The conformity of Prague's inhabitants is bought with better living conditions. About 20 years ago, the average income in Prague was only slightly higher than that in other regions. Today, Praguers earn more than 150 percent more than the others. The jobless rate, and thus the risk of economic decline, are much lower. That also explains election results. Prague residents are much more conservative. The further away you get from Prague, the more support you see for the left parties. ... One result is that Prague has become a state within a state, and its residents no longer identify with the rest of the country." (24/01/2008)

» Artykuł (Link zewnętrzny, czeski)
Więcej z przeglądu prasy na temat » Polityka wewnętrzna, » Styl życia, » Polityka gospodarcza, » Czechy
Wszystkie dostępne teksty » Jan Keller