Diplomatic Economic Club^{® Since 1997}

This year the free movement of eastern European workers within the EU has been questioned. Fearing excessive use of their own welfare systems, governments have argued for continued access restrictions.

US-based credit-rating agencies are regularly subject to condemnation for causing or amplifying financial crises – the Eurozone Crisis in particular. Should Europe try to set up a European agency to counter this? This column discusses evidence that shows that the largest German rating agency was more aggressive than the US Big Three both in terms of a lower level and a higher propensity to quickly downgrade Eurozone problem countries.

Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus (since August 2012).
Resume The human rights debates, which have been high in the past two decades, have proven futile. They increasingly make it clear that it is impossible to change attitudes that are enrooted in centuries-old specific cultural, religious, and other underpinnings.

Pension issues in the EU member states are regulated by the so-called supplementary division of competences and are subject to different means from numerous policies. Several Commissioners are responsible for integration process concerning persons under retirement age, i.e. mostly those on pensions.

A joint European Commission/European Investment Bank Group report on the activities facilitating access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises in 2012 was recently published.

Investment in „green agriculture“ intends to bring multiple returns to nature, society and people. The European Commission adopted a new strategy for encouraging the use of green infrastructure and ensuring that the enhancement of natural processes.