Authors: The European Economic Advisory Group*

There have been large increases in budget deficits throughout the EU, leading to considerable rises in the stock of public debt as a percentage of GDP. The costs of maintaining high debt levels should not exaggerated. However, they may grow in the near future as interest rates are likely to rise. In addition, if public debt appears increasingly risky to the market, higher risk premia will be charged. Therefore, government must define credible strategies to reduce deficits. This European policy analysis discusses different debt consolidation strategies that will not hamper the economy but support current stimuli.

Authors: Maxime Lefebvre and Christophe Hillion*

During the past months, we have witnessed increasing activity regarding the establishment of a European External Action Service (EEAS) – one of the most emblematic innovations that the Treaty of Lisbon introduces to strengthen the EU external action. While the details of the EEAS organisation and functioning are still under (intense) discussion, this Analysis sheds light on the political and legal contexts in which the EEAS is being set up, and raises some questions as to its possible contribution to the development of a common European diplomacy.

The Treaty of Lisbon entered into force five months ago. The new treaty introduces six major institutional innovations that are supposed to make the Union more efficient, more transparent and increase its legitimacy.

Twelve authors from the European Policy Institutes Network (EPIN), among them Fredrik Langdal at the SIEPS, considers in this commentary how the “new” Europe is shaping up and whether it is likely to have any more appeal for European citizens.

Author: Sören Holmberg

Swedish public opinion on EU Affairs has undergone considerable changes since 1995 and Swedes are gradually becoming more positive to membership. According to the latest survey there is, for the first time since 1995, a majority of Swedes are in favour of membership in the European Union.