Table.Briefings

Feature

Joint gas purchasing as a possible compromise

Tomorrow, the EU energy ministers will meet informally in Prague. The agenda will focus on the establishment of a platform for the joint purchase of gas, the decoupling of electricity and gas prices and the capping of gas prices. Germany offers to make concessions.

By Claire Stam

Waste and circular economy: domino effect of the energy crisis

The circular economy also suffers from supply bottlenecks and skyrocketing energy costs – but more indirectly. In the recovered paper cycle a gap is currently opening up because paper production is tottering. Meanwhile, another problem looms for residual waste disposal.

By Leonie Düngefeld

Patricia Flor, Botschafterin in China - Twitter und mehr

'On Twitter, we can post censored content'

Fifty years of diplomatic relations have passed before Germany is represented by a female ambassador in Beijing for the first time. Patricia Flor is the first woman to hold the post, and from the very first days she has taken a somewhat different approach to the office than her predecessors: more presence on social media – and thus more open criticism of the Chinese leadership. The interview was conducted by Amelie Richter.

By Redaktion Table

Member states hopelessly at odds over brake on energy prices

Even at the informal European Council, there was no sign of a common approach to curbing the rise in gas and electricity prices. The criticism of the Germans' go-it-alone approach was all the more audible. The double boom is not going down very well with the direct neighbors.

By Ella Joyner

Annette Schavan: Beziehungen zwischen China und Deutschland

'We should not carelessly squander what relationships we have'

Annette Schavan has been involved in diplomatic talks with China for more than two decades. 50 years after the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and China, she sees mutual relations in troubled waters. At the same time, she observes that China knows more about Germany and Europe than vice versa. This is something that needs to be dealt with, she urges in an interview with Felix Lee.

By Felix Lee

When penicillin becomes a political issue

Skepticism was high early on about subjecting antibiotics to global price competition. Today, China is theoretically able to dictate the price of precursors. Only a handful of European companies still resist. Experts warn that the supply of vital pharmaceuticals is no longer guaranteed.

By Redaktion Table

US data transfer agreement: Substantial improvement or just cosmetics?

Long-awaited, now finally here: On Friday, US President Joe Biden signed presidential orders in Washington, D.C. to make way for the Privacy Shield, which failed on the EU side. The business community is hoping, the EU Commission is confident. And data protection experts consider this attempt to be ineffectual yet again.

By Falk Steiner

Prague Summit: Debate on energy crisis continues

Yesterday, the leaders of more than 40 countries met for the first time in Prague under the European Political Community. The new format is also aimed to demonstrate cohesion toward Russia. The debate on how to deal with the energy crisis dominated the meeting – but the EU states did not demonstrate unity.

By Ella Joyner

Taxonomy: Austria sues alone

After Germany, Luxembourg also backs out. The Grand Duchy only wants to join the complaint before the European Court of Justice, but not take action itself. The deadline is October 10.

By Eric Bonse