Latest update: 03/12/2012 

- Austerity - Economic crisis - Economic growth - European Union - Latvia - recession


Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former Latvian president

Four years after being forced to request a bailout and seeing its GDP shrink by 24 per cent, Latvia has become the EU's fastest-growing economy. Is this proof that stringent austerity policies work? What can Spain and Greece learn from the Latvian model? Christophe Robeet speaks to Vaira Vike-Freiberga, a former Latvian president.

Watch the first part.

Does Portugal need a bailout?
22/01/2011 - TALKING EUROPE

Does Portugal need a bailout?

Portugal saw its borrowing costs surge shortly after the Irish bailout was announced, prompting fear that the country will soon fail to finance itself on the market. But in Lisbon, the government insists the successful sale of €750 million Treasury bills at a favourable rate shows the country still deserves the trust of foreign investors.
EU Presidency: Hungary draws fire
15/01/2011 - TALKING EUROPE

EU Presidency: Hungary draws fire

The Hungarian EU Presidency has started off on the wrong foot. Budapest is under fire after the adoption of a controversial media law which critics say will muzzle press freedom and endanger independent media. Does the law violate EU standards? Does it create a dangerous precedent in Europe?
  Bozidar Djelic, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of EU integration
09/01/2011 - TALKING EUROPE

Bozidar Djelic, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister, in charge of EU integration

In this programme, Serbia's top EU negotiator shares his thoughts on stability in the Balkans, Belgrade's stormy relationship with Kosovo and Serbia's EU ambitions.
German growth: a model for Europe?
18/12/2010 - TALKING EUROPE

German growth: a model for Europe?

German therapy for everyone? As 2010 draws to a close and the so-called Club Med economies are struggling to repay their debts, Germany is booming. Its economy has grown by 3.7%, that's 2% higher than the Eurozone average. What can Germany teach its European partners? This is the question I'll put to my two guests.
Pat COX, Irish politician, former President of the European Parliament
18/12/2010 - TALKING EUROPE

Pat COX, Irish politician, former President of the European Parliament

Pat Cox looks back at 2010, Europe's annus horribilis. What lessons can the EU draw from the Greek and Irish bailouts? Is the Union equipped to weather more financial storms in 2011? Will the euro survive the crisis?

React to the article
Comment this article typing your message in the above text zone. Please note that this is limited to 1500 characters or less.
(0) Reactions
Read more
Close