European Union

Turning East, Turkey Asserts Economic Power

By Landon Thomas Jr., the New York Times

From Landon Thomas Jr., the New York Times:  For many in aging and debt-weary Europe, which will be lucky to eke out a little more than 1 percent growth this year, Turkey’s economic renaissance — last week it reported a stunning 11.4 percent expansion for the first quarter, second only to China — poses a […]

Ashton places Polish agent in charge of security for the EU’s new diplomatic service

By Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver

From Andrew Rettman, the EUobserver:  EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton has hired a Polish secret service agent to be the main architect of internal security in the European External Action Service (EEAS). The agent, whose name is being kept under wraps, was parachuted into Brussels from Warsaw to begin work on 1 June and […]

Clinton: “the doors to NATO remain open” for Ukraine

By Hillary Clinton, the State Department

Emerging Power among Europe’s Leaders: Herman Van Rompuy

By Steven Erlanger, the New York Times

From Steven Erlanger, the New York Times:  [T]he new European president of the council of national leaders, Herman Van Rompuy, an economist and former Belgian prime minister, has moved more quickly than others to establish a powerful staff.

Two Competing Visions of a European Economy

By Steven Erlanger, the New York Times

From Steven Erlanger, the New York Times:  The market storm over the fate of the euro has calmed to prevailing winds, but there is considerable nervousness here over the economic health of Spain, the impact of austerity on long-term growth and continuing differences between France and Germany over the economic direction of the European Union.

U.S.-EU Bank-Data Transfer Deal Explained

By Kurt Volker

The United States and the European Union have signed a bank data-transfer agreement that will give U.S. authorities access to EU bank transfer data, under EU supervision, in an effort to combat terrorism. In an e-mail interview, Kurt Volker, Atlantic Council senior adviser, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and managing director of the Center on […]

European Union, U.S. to share banking data to fight terrorism

By Ellen Nakashima, the Washington Post

From Ellen Nakashima, the Washington Post:  The European Union has reached an agreement with the United States that will allow European bank data to continue to be shared for counterterrorism purposes, but only after liberal members of parliament secured stronger privacy guarantees.

New Czech Prime Minister Is Named

By Dan Bilefsky, the New York Times

From Dan Bilefsky, the New York Times:  President Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic said Sunday he would appoint a center-right leader, Petr Necas, as the country’s new prime minister on Monday, clearing the way for a government that is both pro-American and focused on fiscal austerity.

In Europe, U.S. Allies Target Defense Budgets

By Stephen Fidler, Alistair MacDonald, and Patrick McGroarty, the Wall Street Journal

Desperate Times Mean Desperate Measures in Europe

By Scott Bleiweis

The financial crisis continues to wreak havoc in Europe. Beyond Greece, we’ve been told Spain is especially at risk. But even more established market economies have taken steps towards cutting debt and providing relief to struggling citizens.