Source: European Parliament

Overview of Priority Dossiers

Luxembourg will hold the Presidency of the Councilin the second half of 2015. Luxembourg's European priorities will focus on the Growth and Jobs Agenda, the social dimension of European policies, the implementation of the European Agenda for Migration and the Energy Union, the reform of the Economic and Monetary Union, the negotiation of the TTIP agreement and the preparation of the COP 21 climate change conference in Paris.

1. Inter-institutional Agenda

Founded in 1978, EFPIA's members comprise 33 national pharmaceutical industry associations and 40 leading pharmaceutical companies undertaking research, development and manufacturing of medicinal products in Europe for human use. Its mission is to promote pharmaceutical research and development and the best conditions in Europe for companies to bring to market medicines that improve human health and the quality of life around the world.

Today, sanctions against Russia are probably the most counterproductive ever launched, in view of the perilous state of the Eurozone and the globalised nature of the world economy. In 2015 the EU and its core component the Eurozone desperately need as much economic expansion as they can contrive. Instead, they are using their fragile economy as a weapon of war – at the behest of politicians. It is estimated that the EU has lost € 21 billion in exports because of sanctions against Russia.

1. Europe needs Russia is needed because the entire history of international relations is moving away from Europe. It’s played out in Asia. Where are the huge countries that will play the big roles located? In Asia. And Latin America.  Now what’s the current state of European-Asian relations? Europe is of no interest to Asia. If we view Europe as a landmass that reaches the Pacific Ocean – Russia and Europe are not a whole. But if we picture them as an alliance then we can say Europe reaches the Pacific. This is the reason Europe needs Russia.

The EU Parliament adopted by a large majority a report on the state of EU-Russia relations stating that in the current international context the EU has no choice but to “critically re-assess” its relations with Russia.

The non-legislative report was adopted by 494 votes in favour (71%), 135 against (19%) and 69 abstentions (10%). Only the radical left / communists, eurosceptics and the nationalists opposed the final text.

Article written by Elias Götz, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Political Science and Government, Aarhus University under the title: ' It’s geopolitics, stupid: explaining Russia’s Ukraine policy’. The original article has been edited.

Article written by Elias Götz, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Political Science and Government, Aarhus University under the title: ' It’s geopolitics, stupid: explaining Russia’s Ukraine policy’. The original article has been edited.

The Ukrainian government needs to be effective and diligent in its efforts to reform the country, fight corruption, improve transparency and accountability, improve the rule of law and create the conditions for the return of economic growth and prosperity.

The Ukrainian government is focused on 5 priority areas:

 FDI Top Destinations in 2014

1. China : USD 75bn
2. Mexico : USD 33bn
3. Vietnam : USD 24bn
4. India : USD 23bn
5. Malaysia : USD 19bn
6. Brazil : USD 18bn
7. Egypt : USD 18bn
8. Indonesia : USD17bn
9. Angola : USD 16bn
10. United Arab Emirates : USD 13bn
11. Nigeria : USD11 bn
12. Saudi Arabia : USD 10bn
13. Panama : USD 8bn
14. Chile : USD 7bn
15. Peru : USD 6bn

Note :

In a move that caught both political analysts and Euromaidan activists off guard, Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko recently appointed former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili Governor of the Odessa region.

Saakashvili who served as Georgia's President from 2004 to 2013 is a polarizing figure. He is under criminal indictment in Georgia, accused of abusing his power using excessive force against demonstrators to quell protests in 2007. He also led Georgia into a devastating war with Russia in 2008, and has been outspoken in his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin.