EXCITING NEWS ABOUT THE FUTURE

You cannot do anything about the past. But you can engage in what the future brings.  Follow it, get involved, influence it.

If you want to follow the news about the future, you should often go to this website:
www.futurism.com  

And you should also read this new book written by a Swedish author:

Johan Norberg: PROGRESS: TEN REASONS TO LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE.

You can buy the book for your Kindle (if you have one) on Amazon.

Of course, you will not agree to it all.  But both sources give you a lot of information - and a lot of stimulation for your thoughts!

BREXIT's FREE FALL

All sensible people know that the Brexit vote was based on outright lies, fantasies and very widespread ignorance. And that it was followed by many turncoat politicians now in government.
Time has come for responsible leaders to come to terms with these very dangerous mistakes - and to bring the UK back among dynamic and forward-looking nations!

SPANISH POLITICIANS MUST DO BETTER!

The present very messy situation around Catalunia and Spain happens thanks to a very clumcy behaviour on both sites. It is in nobody's interest to continue like. Put your pride aside and sit down and talk. Where there is a will there is a way!

MACRON's GREAT INITIATIVE ON EUROPE

It is really GREAT news that the French president has now made a very interesting and operational proposal on how Europe should develop in the months and years to come!

Now his plan is on the table. You can see an English summary on my Europe site here: 
http://www.europe-at-work.be/436865280

Of course, you do not have to agree to everything. This is a vision - a proposal.   Chancellor Angela Merkel and many others have welcomed it.  Just a few leaders do not seem to have understood that now is the time for reforms. 

This plan will now dominate the debate.  We should all contribute actively.   Our NGO initiative EUROPE's PEOPLE's FORUM ( www.europespeoplesforum.eu ) gives everybody a possibility to be actively involved and engaged in this very important work.

EUROPE MOVING FORWARD AGAIN !

It is great to see Europe moving decisively forward again.  Politically president Macron has given new dynamics with concrete proposals for a stronger Euro-zone with its own budget and institutions  - supported by Merkel and several other Euro-countries.  His new initiatives for the French labour market are part of the same.  The European economy is also coming in better shape. And a number of important European political initiatives such as attacks on the non-European behaviour of Poland and Hungary and of Turkey shows a determined Europe on the move.  In this context the Brexit process is just a sideshow. 

AFTER ALL: DO NOT FORGET THE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE US AND THE UK

President Trump and his folks can easily spoil a nice day for any of us.  But do not despair ! There is a different America. A very different one. And it is most certainly on its way forward. You can say the same about the UK.  The Brexiteers with all their fantasies might have some headlines for the moment. But there is a different Britain. The 48 %, who last year voted for Remain.  And they are certainly also gaining strength all the time.    And in the middle of all that Europe is more supported and more active than for a long time.  Not least because of Trump and because of Brexit !

PRESIDENT MACRON's NEXT STEPS

I have just listened to president Macron's very impressive speech to the houses of Parliament this afternoon. Lots of important things on the move. And in my view on the move in the good direction. New thinking. New drive. We need Macrons in many of our countries !

NEED FOR MACRONS IN MOST EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

What a pleasure it is to follow president Macron and the way he is able to mobilise people, not least young people.  We now see the same trend in other countries such as in the recent elections in the United Kingdom and in The Netherlands.  Old habits, old policies and old structures are fundamentally changed.  And changed to look forward - not backwards.

I wonder, if it wouldn't be a very good idea to mobilise a MACRON in most of our countries?!

We should in my view certainly support the already on-going spill-over effect in that direction from France.

GERMAN CARS AND THE US - WHAT TRUMP TOTALLY IGNORES - OR PROBABLY DOES NOT KNOW :-(

“The Germans are bad, very bad. Look at the millions of cars that they sell in the U.S.
Terrible. We’re going to stop that.” – President Donald Trump

This is Trump at his worst.  A statement repeated several times during the last week. But totally ignoring the following hard core facts:

Through the first four months of 2017, Germany-based automakers and their respective subsidiary brands have sold 413.000 new vehicles in the United States.

Of these 413.000 altogether 114.000 ( 28 % ) were produced in the US on plants in Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina.

In addition the US based German owned car factories during the same four months produced 167.000 cars for export from the US.

As a matter of fact the value of these US produced German cars is higher than the export value of American cars.

Imagine how many Americans are employed in producing these 281.000 German cars.

Will president Trump ever get his facts right?!

And by the way, why do so many Americans want to buy German cars?  Probably because they are so good!  Again, reason for some reflection in the American car industry.

Source: The US website:  thetruthaboutcars.com  

DEFENSE COSTS ARE MANY THINGS

President Trump is also showing his one-track-minded perception of many things in his campaign around defense spending.  His amazing speech at the NATO summit was no exception.  He seems to think that the more money you spend on defense hardware, the better it is.  More missiles, more jet fighters, more frigates, more tanks - the more peaceful the world will be.    And those NATO countries, which pay less than 2 % of the GNP for defense, are to be blamed.

This is one point of view.  I believe that we Europeans have - as in many other cases - a more sophisticated and realistic view on how things are.

First of all, the US has decided to be pro-actively present in most parts of the world with their defense forces.  I am not saying that this is wrong. I am saying that this costs money. Therefore, it is not reasonable to compare US costs with those of most other countries.

Secondly, there is much more to an efficient defense than military hardware. Solid trade agreements with other countries are part of defense. Development aid can be seen also as part of it. Humanitarian assistance too. Education of people in and from potentially dangerous countries is also a defense investment.  And last , but not least all the efforts all our countries are doing these days to fight external (such as Russian) electronic interference into our societies are definitely also an increasing part of our smart defense efforts and costs.

So, Mr. Trump - also in this area I believe you have more important home work to do!

PRESIDENT MACRON: EUROPE IS AT THE CENTRE

France's new president Emmanuel Macron has put Europe at the centre of his policy. He has a very clear and forward-looking European policy, which he wants to pursue.

As a clear sign of his priorities he has given the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs a new name:
MINISTRY FOR EUROPE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Why?  Because Europe is not foreign affairs.   It would be great, if other member states of the EU made the same change in order to get in line with realities.

DEMOCRACY A PROTECTION AGAINST STRONGMEN

Last night we saw two very interesting programmes on French TV. They dealt with the immediate aftermath for citizens in 1945-48 of the second world war. And with the nazi leaders and their many followers -  and their incredible crimes towards humanity. This story cannot be told often enough.  And this time with shocking films from that time.

We often think: this could never happen today. That is wrong.  Do not be mistaken.  There are at all times and in all our countries many people, who are willing to do similar crimes, if they get the chance.  Therefore, it is of immense importance that we have solid democratic systems, also at European level, which make this de facto impossible. These systems so to speak protects man against himself!  

We should constantly have this fact in mind, also when we see nationalistic and populist forces with their lies and alternative facts trying to dominate the political scene.

EUROPE DAY CELEBRATION

Today it is May 9.  EUROPE DAY.  This is the best day to celebrate that populism in Europe is strongly on retreat. First in Austria, then in the Netherlands, then in the local elections in the UK last week, where UKIP was wiped out, and now in France.  So far so good !

But at the same time we have to ask ourselves: why did these populist forces with their lies, alternative facts, right-wing nationalism, etc. have success for some time. Why?  What can and should we all do to prevent it from happening again?

GREAT NEWS FROM FRANCE !

Great news from France! A new European spring has begun. So much to do. So much will now be possible! En Marche!

FIGHT THE RUSSIAN HACKERS MORE ACTIVELY !

Now again, huge hacking in the French elections. Why are the extremist parties never hacked? The answer is simple: It is because these hackers are controlled by Kremlin. And Kremlin is a great friend of most extremists in our democracies.  We know from Russian hacker specialists, who escaped Russia because they did not want to take part in this activity, how it is all organised.  They were most certainly also supporting the Leave people in Brexit. Serious examinations are under way. And hopefully democracies with coming elections are giving the fight against these hackers and their controllers TOP priority !

EU-27 IN FULL AGREEMENT ON BREXIT GUIDELINES

The heads of state and government of EU-27 have on April 27, 2017 unanimously agreed their clear Guidelines for the coming Brexit negotiations:

European Council (Art. 50) guidelines for Brexit negotiations - Consilium
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/04/29-euco-brexit-guidelines/

They are very clear and precise. And on many points very different from what the British government wants.

DENMARK LESS SAFE - THANKS TO THE ANTI-EUROPEANS

May 1, 2017 is a very important day in the fight against cross-border crimes. On that day EU's agency for fight against those crimes EUROPOL is strengthened - made even more efficient - by becoming an integrated part of the EU.

Therefore, it is very sad and very regrettable that Denmark on exactly that day is leaving EUROPOL. Why? Because the anti-Europeans in a referendum voted against continued membership. Result: Denmark (which so far has been one of the most active users of EUROPOL) will be less safe.   Thank you very much, "dear" anti-people.  Once again you have done a serious disservice to our country!

ORBAN AND ALL HIS DANGEROUS TRICKS...

It is great news that the EU now also formally asks Hungary to follow EU values, which it has signed and therefore has to obey to. The Commission will start an legal case against the country.  And the Belgian member of the European Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt, made an excellent speech yesterday in front of Mr. Orban.  See more here:   https://www.facebook.com/GuyVerhofstadt/?fref=ts

WATCH OPINION POLLS - Follow the polls in France, Germany and Italy

Very important elections are coming up in a number of European countries, including France, Germany and Italy.

Though opinion polls have gone somewhat wrong in other recent elections it is, of course, very interesting to follow them.

On this site on my home page you can follow the polls in 3 countries:   France, Germany and Italy:

http://www.simplesite.com/kimbrer/434140854  

WATCH BREXIT

The BREXIT situation and negotiations will for sure be very much in the headlines in the weeks and months to come.  Not because it is the most important activity - far from that. But it is, of course, important.

If you want to follow it, have a look HERE

This is in particular an overview of many sites, which will constantly be updated.

CONGRATULATIONS TO EU WITH 60 YEARS OF SHARED PROGRESS !!

On March 25, 2017 the European Union turns 60 !   It has seen a tremendous success during that period.  Warm congratulations!

See more HERE

Help talking Europe UP. Do not always talk it DOWN.   Our full support is needed for the many coming cases of shared progress.

PULSE OF EUROPE - NOW ALSO IN COPENHAGEN

Join PULSE OF EUROPE event in Copenhagen on Sunday, March 26 at 14.00.  Place: In front of the Europe House, Gothersgade 115, Copenhagen K.

Read more about this pan-European initiative in over 60 cities:  pulseofeurope.eu

JOIN THE PULSE OF EUROPE INITIATIVE

PULSE OF EUROPE is a Europe-wide citizens initiative to meet every Sunday at 14.00 hours to show support for Europe.   See:  http://pulseofeurope.eu/?lang=en  

On March 19 about 20.000 people gathered in 60 cities around Europe.  

Take the initiative to do the same in your city!

WHY IS UK DOWNGRADING PARLIAMENT

My British friends have always been very proud of the fact that Britain all the way since Magna Carta in 1215 has been the first Parliament in the world.  And that it has been so ever since. There are all  reasons to be proud of that. Therefore, I find it amazing - to say the least - when the present UK government now goes out of its way to keep Parliament out of one of the most important decisions in Britain in modern times:  the question of leaving or not leaving the EU - and on what conditions. Parliament is sovereign.  Or is that suddenly no longer the case? It will be very interesting indeed to see, how this discussion continues in the months and years to come.

WIKILEAKS, DEMOCRACIES AND RUSSIA

It is always interesting to follow, how Wikileaks always concentrates its efforts on attacking democracies, especially the US.   Why are they never hacking the Russians? Wouldn't it be interesting to know more about the Kremlin's support to right-wing parties in the West - like their new agreement with Beppe Grillo's 5 star Movement in Italy and their recent negotiations with the German Alternative für Deutschland?

TRUMP WATCH

In our thinking and planning ahead it is also very important to follow, how US president Donald Trump is behaving and developing his plans.

TRUMP WATCH is an online and frequently updated monitor of the president.

You can follow it HERE.

THE VALUE OF EU's SINGLE MARKET !

It is a simple fact beyond all modern alternative facts that Europe's open single market with more than 500 million people makes us all richer.  Every day. Every year. It is logic for beginners. Border controls cost money. Paper work costs money. Delays cost money. The need to have products and services agreed in each country instead of once and for all for all countries costs money. Actually, it's amazing that some people waste their time saying the opposite! 

A new report from the Danish ministry for Business says that in the case of Denmark the EU single market increases the GNP with 5 % every year, and that it gives each family in avarage 65.000 D.kr ( 8.700 € ) more income per year.  The situation is probably the same in most EU countries.

But this does not mean that all is good. There is still a lot to do - and to gain - from more improvements in the European single market.  Take digital service. Take financial services. Take energy services.

So, dear politicians - get going. Move on.  Do not get disturbed by noicy uninformed and populist forces. Move ahead, so we all can enjoy many more of the low-hanging fruits in working closely together in Europe!

DEMOCRACY WATCH - POLAND and HUNGARY on a very wrong track

European Union is based on a number of very clear values. It is said clearly in the Treaties. Press freedom. Democratic institutions. All member states, also Poland and Hungary, have signed these treaties. This means that they, of course, are obliged to follow what they have signed.  Still Poland is playing around with the media. The independent watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, have just put Poland 29 steps down in their index on free press. 

Hungary is also breaking EU basic rules in several areas - such as making life very difficult for free civil society organisations.

This is not acceptable in the European Union. And their governments say that they are free to do what they want to do.  No, no, no. They have to follow, what they have signed.

Both countries, esp. Orban in Hungary, have made it clear that they primarily are in the EU for the sake of the money!

Perhaps they should be more careful. This year the negotiations on the future of EU's funds will start.  It is written nowhere, that member states which brake fundamental rules, will continue to get billions of € from the funds.   The Italian government has already made that clear. 

So watch out!  You are on a very wrong track, which at the end might cost you a lot!

GREAT NEWS FOR EUROPE FROM THE NETHERLANDS !

Ukraine with its 45 mill. inhabitants is a direct neighbour and a close partner of the EU. Therefore, 27 member states of the EU have already ratified the association agreement with the country. Only the Netherlands still has to ratify.  Yesterday the Dutch Lower House of Parliament agreed to ratification by 89 votes out of 150 members. The Upper House, the Senate, will vote very soon and it expected to agree too.
This means that the agreement can come into force very soon.  This is of great importance politically, economically and in many other ways.  For everybody. Perhaps except for Russia, which has been fighting against the agreement. This is one more reason to get into force quickly. And to develop the close cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in the months and years to come.

Fight populist politicians everywhere !

I fully agree with Amnesty International saying:

Whether it is Trump, Orban, Erdoğan or Duterte, more and more politicians calling themselves anti-establishment are wielding a toxic agenda that hounds, scapegoats and dehumanizes entire groups of people.

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2017/02/amnesty-international-annual-report-201617/