Analysing Slovakia's Brain Drain: Challenges, Responses

Short Analysis

Analysing Slovakia’s Brain Drain: Challenges, Responses, and Future Prospects

1. Introduction Brain drain – the emigration of skilled professionals to pursue opportunities abroad in another country – has emerged as a significant challenge for Central-Eastern European countries in recent decades,- and Slovakia is not the exception to this phenomenon. Following its transition from a centrally planned economy to a…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2024-12-18

Short Analysis

The Energy Sector of Bulgaria: Mitigating Historical Dependence on Russia

Written by Brian Fabrègue and Andrea Bogoni. 1. Introduction Bulgaria's energy sector is at a critical juncture, with two main objectives shaping its direction: decarbonization and reducing reliance on Russian energy. Over the past year, Bulgaria has made considerable progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity, particularly in solar power.…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2024-10-11

Short Analysis

The Green Deal and Why the EU Must Think Globally

Introduction The European Green Deal , launched in 2019, marks a pivotal transformation in European policy, aiming to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This ambitious agenda, enshrined in the European Climate Law , necessitates profound changes not only within the European Union but also in its interactions…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2024-07-26

Short Analysis

Interconnector Bulgaria-Serbia: closer ties with Azerbaijan and resilient European energy markets

The Serbo-Bulgarian Gas Connector, formally known as the Interconnector Bulgaria-Serbia (IBS), represents a critical infrastructural and geopolitical development in the energy sector of Southeast Europe. The inauguration of the construction works on the Bulgarian section of this gas interconnector was a significant milestone, underscoring its importance as an EU Project…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2024-03-15

Short Analysis

A brief outlook of renewable energy in Slovakia: trend and potential

Slovakia's renewable energy targets and strategy Slovakia's National Energy and Climate Plan sets an ambitious target of achieving a 19.2% share of renewable energies in gross final energy consumption by 2030. To ensure the security and affordability of electricity and heat generation, the state is poised to support renewable energy…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2024-01-10

Our News

Our media presence in 2023: an end of year letter

Dear readers and friends of Blue Europe, As we approach the end of another year, it is with great pride and gratitude that we reflect on the remarkable journey our think tank has undertaken in 2023. Exactly as last year, we have worked toward participating in the public discourse and…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2023-12-24

Corbii Mari solar panel park, Dâmbovița county

Short Analysis

Romania and the path to renewables: solar panels

Romania is undergoing a significant expansion in solar power within its broader energy transition framework, bolstered by European funding and legal reforms. This upsurge has prompted investments across the spectrum, from individual households as prosumers to utility-scale facilities, with local government units emerging as a significant segment for development up…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2023-12-21

Short Analysis

Greece vis-a-vis climate change: tourism and agriculture affected

Greece's picturesque landscapes and rich biodiversity are under siege from an increasing number of vegetation fires. These fires, driven by both natural and human factors, present significant economic and environmental challenges. The country's hot, dry summers create ideal conditions for fires, while human activities, including negligent behaviour and arson, contribute…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2023-11-20

Full reports

Pollution in the Western Balkans (Part 3): European Initiatives

In this final third part we will analyse European initiatives put in place to address environmental issues in the Western Balkans. Particularly, we will go through EU financial instruments, EU implementation plans and finally European territorial cooperation. You can read the previous Part 2 here. European financial instruments EU instruments…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2023-10-06

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Pollution in the Western Balkans (Part 2): public opinion

You can find part 1 here. Introduction In this second part regarding environmental concerns in the Western Balkans, we will briefly analyse the general public perception of this issue. Particularly, we will analyse and showcase 2023 data from the Balkan Public Barometer. The Balkan Barometer is an annual survey of…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2023-09-15

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Pollution in the Western Balkans (Part 1): an overview

Pollution, air quality and, more broadly, responses to climate change pose a challenge to the stability and security of the Balkan region. The environmental fragility of the region combined with critical socio-economic issues make it feared that the energy transition in the Western Balkans will not be a foregone conclusion.…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2023-08-19

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Croatia and the Euro (Part 2): an assessment shortly after the changeover

You can find Part 1 here. In 2023, Croatia has reached a crucial integration milestone with the EU. After a decade of EU membership, the Balkan nation has joined the Euro and Schengen zones. As the EU Single Market celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, this signifies a dramatic shift…

B.F.G. Fabrègue2023-07-28

B.F.G. Fabrègue