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This is where you will find my view of the big arguments over Europe, its politics and its personalities
23 hours ago
At some point in the future - and particularly if David Cameron wins the election in 2015- the UK will attempt to re-negotiate the terms of its membership of the EU.
It will be a long, tortuous process, strewn with potential difficulties.
17:49 UK time, Thursday, 16 May 2013
The grand gesture lives! French President Francois Hollande marked the start of his second year in power with a news conference at the Elysee Palace.
In the face of disastrous poll ratings and an economy in recession he came with a big idea for the future. He proposed an economic government for the eurozone.
15:51 UK time, Thursday, 16 May 2013
Hollande: ' if Europe does not advance it will fall or even be wiped out from the world map.' Reflects how rattled Europe's leaders are.
15:44 UK time, Thursday, 16 May 2013
Hollande: my duty is to drag Europe out of it's torpor, he says. Perhaps wise to start at home first?
15:39 UK time, Thursday, 16 May 2013
Hollande wants to create a full political European Union within two years. Has he discussed this with Merkel?
15:37 UK time, Thursday, 16 May 2013
Hollande proposes Econ government for euro-zone with president and monthly meetings, raising taxes etc. Is this what French people want?
10:30 UK time, Thursday, 16 May 2013
Some good news out of Italy. Robust trade surplus and exports surging. Exports up 1.2% in a month. Mainly to non EU countries.
11:04 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
A year ago today Francois Hollande was sworn in as French President. It was a day of dark and forbidding skies.
The new president rode up the Champs Elysees in an open-topped Citroen in the pouring rain and emerged bedraggled.
10:40 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Eurozone recession deepened in first quarter. Only glimmer of good news - the rate of decline may be easing a little.
10:29 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Recession in euro-zone has now entered it's sixth quarter. Contracted 0.2% between Jan and March. Longest recession in history of euro.
10:26 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Ratings Agency S&P warning that grab on bank deposits in Cyprus could be repeated elsewhere in euro-zone.
10:13 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
For the 6th year the Greek econ is shrinking. Contracted by 5.3% in first Q this year. Believe it not it's slightly better news than last!
10:10 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
French govt response to being in recession. Growth will return later in year and there needs to be a 'European policy which backs growth. '
10:08 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Barroso says 'the truth is that France has lost competitiveness over the past 20 years.' comment on France in recession!
07:09 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Germany just avoided a recession in the first quarter of 2013. The economy grew by a weaker than expected 0.1%.
07:06 UK time, Wednesday, 15 May 2013
France is officially in recession. The economy shrunk by 0.2% in the first quarter. Today is 1st anniversary of Hollande in power.
20:03 UK time, Sunday, 12 May 2013
There is a ferment of debate in Europe. A summer of argument. It has broken out at almost every level and in every country. It is testament to the depth of a crisis which continues to defy solution.
What is interesting is that it no longer reflects the simplistic divide between doubters and believers.
13:06 UK time, Friday, 10 May 2013
The new Italian PM Enrico Letta is calling for EU plan to fight youth unemployment. Wants EU summit in June to adopt concrete measures.
14:41 UK time, Thursday, 9 May 2013
Slovenia is to sell 15 state firms including Ljubljana airport. #Slovenia
14:39 UK time, Thursday, 9 May 2013
Slovenia puts the 2014 budget deficit at 3.3%
Gavin was Special Correspondent for BBC News before becoming Europe Editor in 2009.
He covered the Obama campaign in 2008 and was embedded with American forces for the invasion of Iraq.
He has written two books including A Soul On Ice.
He has won an RTS, a BAFTA and a Broadcast award.
He has covered conflicts in Georgia, Lebanon and Zimbabwe and reported from New York after 9/11. He was in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and was in Berlin the night the wall fell.
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