Europe Weekly: Ashton, Schengen and stress tests

This week’s Europe Weekly review concentrates on the Schengen treaty and Denmark’s decision to re-impose its border restrictions. Such moves by member states are causing tensions within the EU, especially with many MEPs who are demanding no major changes to the passport free zone.

We also take a look at EU foreign policy following Catherine Ashton’s speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Again, many MEPs remain concerned Europe is not punching its weight on the global stage and continue to voice their frustrations.

We also explore this week’s failure by the bloc’s 27 separate atomic energy watchdogs to agree common criteria on stress tests for the continents 143 nuclear reactors. Currently, there is deadlock. The EU commission wants more wide-ranging checks, while France and the UK are oppose to the inclusion of terrorist scenarios. Finally, we also examine Europe Day, an affair many critics described as gloomy.

Next week, Eurogroup finance ministers will meet with Greece’s on-going economic difficulties expected to dominate the gathering. Meanwhile, on the political front, parliamentary and local elections are taking place in both Cyprus and Spain.

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