Joaquín Almunia, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner in charge of Competition

In recent years, the EU competition watchdog has imposed billions in fines on companies found to have breached the club's antitrust rules. This was the case in November when 11 airlines were asked to pay almost 800m euros for fixing the price of air cargo between 1999 and 2006. Joaquín Almunia also tells France 24 why he thinks his home country, Spain, will not need a bail-out.

TALKING EUROPE

Presented by Christophe Robeet (France 24) and Marjorie Hache (RFI)

Prepared by Soumaya Benaïssa

Christophe Robeet

Presenter

18/05/2013 - TALKING EUROPE

Antonio Vitorino: President, Notre Europe - Jacques Delors Institute

Recent surveys show a majority of Europeans have a negative opinion of the EU. Euroscepticism is rising particularly in member states most affected by the ongoing crisis: three quarters of the Spanish and 60pc of the French say they don't trust the EU anymore. A former EU Commissioner from Portugal, Antonio Vitorino discusses what Europe must do to regain the trust of its citizens.

18/05/2013 - TALKING EUROPE

EU Competitivness: Paying too much for energy?

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss energy issues against the backdrop of a weakening economy and record unemployment. European industry says it is disadvantaged because of the price it pays for energy compared to its competitors. Are energy prices in Europe too high? Is Europe's green energy consensus beginning to disintegrate?

11/05/2013 - TALKING EUROPE

Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda

Neelie Kroes is Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for the Digital Agenda. She calls on Europe to support its network of high-tech start-ups in order to revive its ailing economy. The Dutch liberal believes there is enough untapped talent on the continent to launch a "digital revolution" and create badly needed jobs.

11/05/2013 - TALKING EUROPE

EU banker bonus cap: will the bite match the bark?

Under an EU-wide deal, banker bonuses will be capped at a year's basic pay or double that amount if there is explicit approval from shareholders. Large bonuses were blamed for much of the reckless behaviour that led to the 2008 financial crisis. But the move has been fiercely opposed by the UK, who says the cap will drive business away from London.

04/05/2013 - TALKING EUROPE

26 million Europeans out of work

When the president of Europe's Trade Union Confederation meets the Director of Europe's Employers' Federation, expect a lively debate on the ongoing economic crisis and on the state of the continent’s labour market.