If a week is a long time in politics, then surely three months is a millennium. But that is precisely how much time has passed since British voters narrowly rejected the status quo and gave the boot to the European Union. "Brexit means Brexit" is more vague than ever. Despite having a process to leave – Article 50, which...

The Institute of Economic Affairs has published a report claiming that the UK doesn't need free trade agreements to prosper. Penned by Professor of Economics at Cardiff Business School Patrick Minford, the report criticises the widely held idea that free trade agreements are good for the country and that "unilateral free trade" would provide the UK with a much better deal. Crucially, Minford...

Ministers at the Council of the European Union announced plans for an 'emergency brake' on visa-free travel, after France and Germany proposed curbing travel if too many citizens overstayed in the Schengen Zone. The proposals, which will be negotiated with the European Parliament, will apply to all existing visa agreements. "Visa liberalisation has great advantages for the EU and third countries....

Inflation fell in April from March by .02% across the EU, Eurostat figures show. Seventeen member states of the European Union showed negative interest rates, with the lowest in in Romania (-2.6%), Bulgaria (-2.5%) and Cyprus (-2.1%). The trend is worrisome despite increasing GDP, with the Eurozone recently reaching pre-2008 levels. Negative inflation rates mean the price of goods and services goes down,...

A joint Europol-Interpol report found that more than 90% of migrants crossing into Europe do so using criminal organisations. The report on the extraordinary crisis interviewed 1,500 migrants in 2015 and reported on the methods criminal gangs use to facilitate crossings into Europe. “From illegal crossings at land or sea borders, to the fabrication and provision of fraudulent travel and identity documents, the...

The €500 note is to be removed from circulation because of concerns that it aided criminal activity. But the European Central Bank said the existing notes will continue to be legal tender and will retain their value. The ECB was "taking into account concerns that this banknote could facilitate illicit activities," and said that production of the notes would end in 2018. The €500 note...

Shortly after giving Turkish citizens the right to travel to the European Union without a visa, the European Commission announced Kosovo may be next on the list. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said "Today we follow up on our commitment to propose visa-free travel to the EU for the people...

Internal Schengen border controls will be extended for six months, the European Commission announced on Wednesday. The Schengen Area provides passport-free travel amongst 26 European countries and was described by the commission as "one of the major achievements of European integration." Border controls between countries signed up to the agreement are not normally permitted to reinstate them, but are allowed to if...

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has said NATO will consider increasing its military presence in the border regions of Eastern Europe to counter increased Russian aggression. The announcement comes as the military alliance and Russia have seen a number of incidents, including the shooting down of a Russian jet by NATO member Turkey and Russian planes "buzzing" US warships. Tensions between the...

The European Commission will press ahead with visa-free travel for Turkish citizens under conditions related to the migrant influx, as part of a controversial EU-Turkey deal. This Wednesday marks the deadline for Turkey to implement the conditions set forth in the deal. Several news outlets reported that the commission will approve the visa liberalisation scheme as part of the deal in which Turkey receives migrants who have...