Press
Russia bans food imports in retaliation for Western sanctions
07 August 2014
Wall Street Journal
The ban on foodstuffs underscored Russia's dramatic retreat from the West under Putin this year. "It's symptomatic of a much deeper economic and psychological change going on, which is that Russia is being cut off," said Charles Grant of the CER.
Brussels is needed to clean up Britain’s air
06 August 2014
The ENDS Report
European co-operation is necessary to improve air quality. Pollution does not stop at national frontiers. And setting environmental standards at national level would undermine the single market.
German diplomacy: Dominant by default
05 August 2014
Financial Times
Charles Grant of the CER wrote that during the euro crisis Germany became the EU’s “unquestioned leader” on economic policy. “In foreign and security policy, Britain and France have generally set the EU agenda. The Ukraine crisis, however, may allow Germany to lead in this field, too.”
Britain outside Europe? The Dutch view
04 August 2014
German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
Fearing unknown referendum outcomes, the Netherlands favors reforms without treaty change.
Europe: Way forward after European Parliament elections
02 August 2014
New Delhi Times
Charles Grant of the CER comments that in order to maximize Europe’s leverage vis-à-vis Russia, the Commission should work with the European External Action Service and the key member-states to herd the member states towards a coherent approach.
EU tightens the economic screws on Putin's Russia
31 July 2014
Institutional Investor
"It is clear that the only path back to business as usual is for Putin to retreat from Ukraine," says Ian Bond, director of foreign policy at the CER.
In confronting Russia, Europe tests its union
31 July 2014
The Wall Street Journal
"One consequence of the Russia-Ukraine affair has been that Germany has emerged as the new leader of the EU, not only in economic policy, but in foreign policy too," said Charles Grant of the CER.
'Known unknowns' about Scotland’s place in Europe
30 July 2014
Financial Times
Several unresolved questions hang over whether the Scots have a future in Europe, says John Kerr
In a little under two months Scots may vote to end their 300 year-old union with England. But their country is also part of a younger union in which most Scots wish to remain. Could...
In a little under two months Scots may vote to end their 300 year-old union with England. But their country is also part of a younger union in which most Scots wish to remain. Could...
Russia and the West's dangerous clash: Time for NATO & EU expansion East?
30 July 2014
The National Interest
The EU and America are centre stage in devising sanctions on Russia, yet NATO has so far left the Ukraine out in the cold. NATO needs to define a bolder vision for security interests closer to Europe at the upcoming summit in Wales.
EU sanctions against Russia: Who will feel the pain?
29 July 2014
Voice of America
"The direct pain is going to be pretty limited. It looks as though these are technically tier-three sanctions [against Russia]. They are very much at the bottom end of what could be done under tier three," says Ian Bond.
Europe's bond yields lowest since 15th century Genoa on deflation, Russia risk
29 July 2014
The Telegraph
“Investors may fear that the worsening tensions with Russia could be the external shock that finally pushes the eurozone into a deflation trap,” said Simon Tilford, of the CER.
Russian gas giant the elephant in the room as Europe considers sanctions
28 July 2014
The Australian
Ian Bond, of the CER warned: “If these [sanctions] get passed in the current form, this is quite a big deal. But Putin may very well double down and bet that the EU is simply too weak and divided.”
Ian Bond speaks to BBC World on the Yukos Oil v Russia case
28 July 2014
BBC World
"I think this is a very important case and probably a rather chilling case for people who might have been contemplating investing in Russia. It comes against the background of whats going on in Ukraine, and the sanctions that the EU has been imposing on Russia" said Ian Bond of the CER.
Video interview on 'A presence farther east: Can Europe play a strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region?'
25 July 2014
Rem Korteweg discusses his recent policy brief on the Asia-Pacific region.
Reshuffle: New faces as the Tories move right
24 July 2014
New Statesman
"You can be damn sure that nobody anywhere else in Europe will have heard of him," says Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform.
France and Britain trade hypocrisy claims over MH17 sanctions
24 July 2014
Agence France Presse
Britain's new foreign minister Philip Hammond has long "strongly supported British-French co-operation", despite being a fierce euroskeptic who opposes any EU role in British defense, said Charles Grant of the CER.
How would an independent Scotland join the EU?
24 July 2014
Financial Times
As Lord Kerr, a former permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office, explained in an article on Wednesday for the CER, the practical issues about the euro, free movement of people and opt-outs are actually relatively simple.
As crisis deepens, EBRD freezes new investment in Russia
23 July 2014
The Moscow Times
"It is the EU sending a message that Russia is currently not a good place to put your money, and that is a message that I guess the private sector will pay attention to," said Ian Bond of the CER.
EU can unite on South Stream, if not sanctions
23 July 2014
The Moscow Times
Strong suspicions of Russian involvement in the tragic shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines aircraft have led EU countries to consider new sanctions against Moscow.
EU toughens language aimed at both sides in Gaza battle
22 July 2014
The Wall Street Journal
"Some are very sympathetic to Israel, and some are very unsympathetic," said Ian Bond, director of foreign policy at the CER. "That in itself makes it pretty difficult for the EU to be a decisive player."