Archive
Year: 2008
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A whistle too far
April 18, 2008
The EU’s most prominent whistleblower - Dutch MEP Paul van Buitenen - was in the news again this week after he gave the EU's anti-fraud office (Olaf) the names of two MEPs he believes have been involved in expenses fraud. Van Buitenen says one of the two is a former MEP, while the other is still serving. To be honest I’m not sure this is a revelation to anyone and no way as dramatic as van...
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McCreevy Queries Revisions to Germany’s VW Law
April 18, 2008
I see that the corporate status of Volkswagen is in the spotlight again. Last year the European Court ruled that limitations on voting rights in VW’s statutes infringed EU rules on freedom of capital movement, so the German government has now notified Brussels of proposed legislative changes to satisfy the Court judgment. For Commissioner Charlie McCreevy these changes are not enough and letters have been exchanged. It’s another of those battles where a member country...
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The EV born again
April 9, 2008
Image via Wikipedia It may be one too many glasses of champagne at this evening's launch event at the Residence Palace, but we kind of like the new look European Voice paper and website. It's at the very least a decent facelift for our favourite trade paper. The website has more than a hint of the Guardian Unlimited about it, but to be fair why reinvent the wheel. Especially if it's a wheel that gets...
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Event: Harnessing digital for your Brussels trade association
April 8, 2008
After trailing this in several recent posts, it's our pleasure to announce the "Beltway Blogfather" is here in Brussels at the beginning of May. As we've been harping on about the use of digital by Brussels based trade associations, Pat Cleary (pictured), our SVP Digital Public Affairs in D.C., will be appearing for one lunchtime only at our FH offices on 5th May to share his experiences. Anyone who works for a Brussels trade association...
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Alex is no fool: one less MEP is no joke for EU blogosphere
April 1, 2008
Image from WikipediaThis morning saw a raft of April's fools announcement, a French federalist blogger broke the "story" of the resignation of Barroso from the Commission while the environmental news service ENDS Daily reported that an MEP had called for personal methane trading. Alas, both are hot air. One that apparently isn't is the story that Finnish EPP member Alexander Stubb MEP is to appointed Foreign minister of his native Finland. Well done to Alex...
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New Leaders, New Perspectives: London Boost for the Entente Cordiale
April 1, 2008
It seems so different from the old days, when the Franco–German alliance was the central core of European integration. With new leaders come new perspectives. President Sarkozy used his March visit to London to woo the British, with a speech to the British Parliament where he paid unheard-of tributes to Britain’s qualities and set out a detailed agenda for Anglo-French co-operation. The elegance of Mme Carla Sarkozy gave extra media colour to what was a...
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Seeing the plastics wood for the trees – PlasticsEurope gets it right
March 30, 2008
An interesting interview with the Executive Director of PlasticsEurope, Wilfried Hansel, over at Euractiv on changes to advocacy and communications in Brussels. It's great to see an organisation as important as PlasticsEurope taking the approach advocated in many of our posts. All Brussels based trade associations should have a read of what can be considered a best practice approach. However, one point in relation to the comments on "position papers". It's always been our philosophy...
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Why do letters on the size of sow stalls move MEPs?
March 28, 2008
Source: WikipediaWe highlighted the success of the online petition and social media activities of the Burma campaign last year and it seems that Tibet has also sparked a similar online movement. With the digital world potentially lowering the barrier to entry for those wishing to gather support around an issue, a Friday morning coffee corner conversation overlooking a cold Square de Meeus got us thinking about whether "expressed" public opinion counts more in some policy...
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Blogs R Us
March 27, 2008
This great compilation of all blogs in anyway related to the EU got us thinking about our own (admittedly a little more self promotional) list of blogs. We thought we'd share it with you all. You never know, you may find something of interest outside your usual reading list amongst the posts written by some of FHers in Europe and globally. To start with there is a blog by Micky B(erendt) on EU politics and...
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Re-designing the Rag – a new entrant from the old media
March 27, 2008
An invite to the relaunch event for the European Voice dropped into the inbox this afternoon. It seems they are doing some major renovation works on this venerable Brussels public affairs trade publication/institution. The question remains whether it shall just be a clean of the facade or a gutting of the entire building. The latter seems more likely. While we've seen nothing, rumour has it that the accompanying website refit will move the European Voice...