DEVELOPMENT: Civil Society to ‘Try’ Multinationals

Leading civil society groups are preparing to challenge leaders at the European-Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) summit in Vienna this week.

LATAM-EU: Vienna Summit, at the Service of European Corporations

As the final preparations are underway for the fourth EU-Latin America/Caribbean summit, to take place Friday in the capital of Austria, the European Union is using its trade and investment policies in Latin America as aggressive instruments of economic domination, at the service of Europe's multinational corporations, according to independent analysts.

TRADE: EU Proposals on WTO Challenged

European Union plans to push for a new fast track court to settle trade disputes within the World Trade Organisation could undermine democracy and development, leading civil society groups say.

CORRUPTION: EU Fails to Bring Transparency

A proposed new EU watchdog on lobbying will fail to deliver transparency in decision-making, civil society groups say.

DEVELOPMENT: Southern NGOs Want Greater Say in Agreements with EU

Civil society organisations from a large group of developing countries are insisting on full participation in negotiations under way with the European Union.

ELECTIONS-HUNGARY: Socialists Headed for Two in a Row

For the first time in post-communist Hungary, a government may win re-election. Opinion polls for Sunday's parliamentary contests indicate the MSZP (Hungarian Socialist Party) are headed for a second term in office, with 43 to 45 percent of the vote.

CORRUPTION: EU Urged To Act Against Bribery

Transparency International has urged the European Commission to rigorously enforce a provision for blacklisting companies found guilty of corruption.

DEVELOPMENT: EU Countries ‘Massaging’ Aid Figures

In the run-up to crucial European Union aid talks next week, leading development groups say most EU member states are boosting projections of commitments to poor countries by "massaging" their aid figures.

EU-LATIN AMERICA: Doubts Arise Over May Summit

Civil society organisations are sceptical about the outcome of the conference of 58 heads of government and state from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean next month in Vienna.

LITHUANIA: On an Obstacle Course to the Euro Zone

A rise of inflation in Lithuania may disturb the country's aspirations to join the euro currency zone next year and to become one of the first new EU member states to adopt the euro.

BALKANS: On Different Roads to EU

All Balkans countries are headed for European Union membership, but they are taking different roads, and at differing pace.

ECONOMY-EU: Portugal – Still Lagging

Two decades after the two Iberian Peninsula nations joined the European community, Portugal's economy has remained at a virtual standstill for the last five consecutive years, while Spain has surged forward to become the world's eighth largest economic power, overtaking Canada.

CHALLENGES 2005-2006: Europe Looking for a Way Forward

The year 2005 will be remembered as the ''annus horribilis" in the European Union with political wrangling, terrorist attacks, social unrest and natural disasters, and there are questions over how the bloc will progress next year.

BALKANS: In Europe, And So Far From It

The International Crisis Group has proposed liberalisation of the restrictive visa regime by the EU for some Balkans countries.

BALKANS: Let’s Buy Their Coast

The approaching winter brings with it the high season for the fairly new business of property sale on the picturesque Adriatic coast. Tempting for foreigners, troubling for local people.

GLOBALISATION: Amid Budget Spat, EU Searches for the Big Picture

European Union leaders are meeting this week to debate the bloc's future place in an increasingly competitive world, while trying to avoid awkward topics that threaten its cohesion.

POLAND: Eye on Coalition, Pres.-Elect Turns Conciliatory

Early signs since Lech Kaczynski was announced the surprise winner of Sunday's run-off election suggest that his presidency will be as closely watched in Washington, Moscow, Berlin and Brussels as it will be by Polish voters and politicians.

PORTUGAL: EU Membership Has Not Spelled Wealth for All

Nearly two decades after Portugal joined the wealthy European Union, poverty and social exclusion continue to plague a full 20 percent of the population.

BALKANS: ‘Let’s Go to Europe’

Previously warring countries in the Balkans are uniting now in the common aim of joining the European Union.

TURKEY: No Marriage, Only an Official Engagement

After four decades of courtship, Muslim Turkey has now obtained an official engagement ring from the EU. But the wedding is far away, and may never come.

POLITICS-EU: The Challenge for Turkey Has Just Begun

European Union officials have cautiously welcomed the decision to open landmark entry talks with Turkey. But they say the road to accession will not be easy.