Issue 4 of Government examines the EU’s Budget, and how EU funding is allocated to support regional and national efforts. These specialised national projects feed back into the EU’s priorities, and this edition focuses on this process by highlighting how member states are developing innovative responses to broad-scale challenges.
The collaboration involved in these projects has long been a strength of the EU, a fact that was acknowledged with the awarding of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union and the contribution it has made to peace and security over the last 60 years. This publication features a number of contributions calling for closer relationships between Europe’s member states to further this cause.
It also contains a feature on how space-based communication and navigation technologies have become vital to the daily lives of Europeans and how the European Commission is supporting their development; offers a national focus on both Scotland and Estonia, and the ground-breaking projects they are bringing to Europe’s table; and spotlights the role of education and culture in European development.
What is being done to bolster Europe’s economy?
- Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, promotes peace and warns against Euroscepticism;
- Commissioner László Andor talks about trying to create the conditions for job creation and the fight against rising unemployment;
- Commissioner Maria Damanaki illuminates the new measures developing Europe’s maritime and fisheries ‘blue economy’;
- Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta explains how the EU Budget is allocated to ensure it is in Europe’s best interest; and
- Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski details the process of deciding on how to prioritise the Union’s budgetary requirements.
How are national projects contributing?
- Commissioner Johannes Hahn gives his view on how national and regional projects can effectively support the commission’s priorities;
- Ramón Luis Valcárcel, president of the EU’s Committee of the Regions, warns against underestimating the strength of regions;
- Ragnar Siil of the Estonian Ministry of Culture outlines how creativity can accelerate cultural and economic development; and
- Professor Martin Tangney elaborates on a novel approach which turns by-products from Scotland’s whiskey industry into fuel.
