European Institutions

Cleppe: Brexit Negotiations Show Progress

August 09, 2017

Pieter Cleppe of the think tank Open Europe writes that, despite some media reports, the EU and UK are making good progress in Brexit negotiations and may begin trade talks as early as October due to significant agreement on key issues and an apparent willingness by negotiators to compromise.
Observers: EU Should Stay Out of Polish Judicial Controversy

August 09, 2017

Mike Muller and Luke Coffey of the Heritage Foundation argue that the European Commission’s threat to strip Poland of its voting rights in the EU Council over its judicial reforms is unwarranted, as the country’s controversy is an internal debate that should be decided democratically rather than by EU officials.
Official Reportedly Offers EU Boats Access to UK Waters

August 09, 2017

According to The Daily Telegraph, UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove has alarmed UK fishers by telling officials in Denmark that European fleets will maintain access to British fishing waters after Brexit.
ECJ Limits Tax Exemptions to Religious Institutions

August 09, 2017

The Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) has ruled that it considers tax exemptions by EU member states for religious institutions, such as the Catholic Church, as unlawful state aid if the activities for which the exemptions are granted are economic, rather than religious, in nature.
ECJ: Hungary Discriminated Against Online Betting Company

August 09, 2017

The Court of Justice of the EU (ECJ) has held that Hungary discriminated against a company that offers online "games of chance," in violation of EU law, by blocking access to that company's betting site without offering it a sufficient opportunity to register with Hungarian authorities as a legal operation.