Interview with Gerald Knaus, Chairman of the European Stability Initiative (ESI), Berlin The Interview was conducted by Editor-in-Chief Hartmut Bühl “The promise that Western Balkan countries may one day join the EU and partake in its promise of prosperity and democratic stability is central to peace in the region.” The European: Mr Knaus, there is…
By Bärbel Dieckmann, President of Welthungerhilfe, Bonn “From its years of experience, Welthungerhilfe knows that each euro used before an emergency is four to five times more effective than funds spent after the crisis.” People in poor countries are particularly affected by natural disasters. The poor are the main victims of droughts, hurricanes or floods,…
By Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President for the Energy Union, European Commission, Brussels “Our economic future depends on our leadership in the solutions of tomorrow.” There is a proverb saying: if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. With the Energy Union, I am convinced we have been managing…
Interview with Franz Untersteller MdL, Minister of Environment, Climate and the Energy Sector of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart The interview was conducted by Editor-in-Chief Hartmut Bühl “Today, consumers can also be energy producers.” The European: Minister, it is a pleasure to have this opportunity to talk with you here in Stuttgart. On the way here, I was…
By Greta Nielsen, Advisor, Federal Office of Bundeswehr Infrastructure, Environmental Protection & Services, Bonn “Consequences of climate change, such as shifts in global precipitation patterns, sea level rise or the increasing number of extreme weather events are affecting the work of the armed forces in different ways.” Climate and the accompanying environmental changes are some…
By Mauro Petriccione, Director-General, DG Climate Action, European Commission, Brussels “Climate change is clearly not a conventional security threat and addressing it will require a comprehensive and integrated approach, across all levels of governance.” From drought-damaged harvests to vanishing coastlines, adverse climate change impacts are already being felt across the world, and pressures on our…
By Philippe Quevauviller, DG Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission, Brussels “Policy development and implementation rely on effective interactions among policymakers, research, industry and practitioners in the EU Member States.” Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly € 80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020).…
By Adina-Ioana Vălean MEP, Chair of ENVI Committee, European Parliament, Strasbourg/ Brussels “In the past, the European Parliament has been attaching particular importance to strengthening chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear security in the EU, with a special focus on the protection of public health, the environment and food safety.” In the past years, the EU’s…
By Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Brussels “Europe’s prosperity and security cannot be entirely separated from that of its neighbours.” We live in uncertain times. Our continent has experienced multiple crises in the last few years, the effects of which are still ongoing; the financial crisis, the migration crisis, the…
By Dr Christoph Erdmann, Managing Director of Secusmart, Düsseldorf Terrorist attacks, mass shootings, and war – security is the defining issue of our time. It is a huge challenge for us all. Every man, woman, and child has an inherent need to feel safe. The floods of refugees currently entering Europe are a clear indication…