In 2010, relations between the European Union (EU) and China reached their 35-year anniversary. Although initially centred primarily on economic cooperation, China's rapid industrialisation meant that over time this development placed increasing pressure on the environment. Keen to sustain this...

In recent years, Central Asia has increasingly come under the focus of the European Union (EU). This development occurred not least due to a series of interruptions in the supply of Russian natural gas to the EU. The negative effects these supply cuts had on Gazprom's perceived reliability as a...

The rise of large emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa – or the ‘BRICS’ – increasingly dominates global energy demand. Whereas these countries experience a steady growth of their middle class and increase their population’s access to energy, other parts...

The 2008 financial crises strongly challenged the European Union, a threat which was even reinforced by the 2010 sovereign credit crisis. Initially, its member states responded to the crisis in an ad hoc and uncoordinated manner. As the crisis persisted, it became clear that the individual...

The financial crisis that hit the world in 2008 exposed the fragility and weaknesses of our global financial system. It has triggered a global response: world leaders – for the most part in the framework of the revitalised G20 – have held several meetings to discuss and agree on a global...

The international financial crisis which broke out in 2008 has had a major impact on fiscal sustainability of countries all over the world. Countries have responded to the global recession with varying measures. However, various initiatives regarding fiscal policy have been taken at the global...

This article examines the principles of accountability applied by the European Investment Bank in comparison with the practices of other Multilateral Lending Institutions. After a brief description of the EIB and its activities, the substantive and procedural principles governing the EIB's...

This contribution critically analyses the recent developments in the relationship between the G20 and the OECD. The OECD has been one of the key economic institutions ever since its establishment. Recently however, its limited membership and the engagement of other international organizations in...

The European Union has a unique ‘sui generis’ status on the international plane, which is reflected in its capability to enter into diplomatic relations with third States and international organizations. Over nearly six decades the EU has gradually built its own worldwide bilateral and...

This paper aims at taking stock of the criticism directed at the mechanism of international arbitration for settling disputes between international investors and host states. This paper also analyzes and describes the main attempts at reforming the arbitral model in response to those criticisms,...