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10:03 UK time, Friday, 24 May 2013
@BBCGavinHewitt via Twitter
Francois Hollande saying today ' we will stay in Mali and around Mali because we haven't finished with terrorism.'
Gavin Hewitt Europe editor
This is where you will find my view of the big arguments over Europe, its politics and its personalities
09:35 UK time, Friday, 24 May 2013
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Interesting article by J Delors and Gerhard Schroder in IHT. Conclude that structural reforms can only work in conjunction with growth.
09:14 UK time, Friday, 24 May 2013
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A few green shoots today: German business confidence rose unexpectedly in May and in France morale in manufacturing sector up.
11:47 UK time, Thursday, 23 May 2013
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Pres Hollande also seemed to respond to criticism of moving too slowly with reforms: 'nothing solid is built by ignoring reality,' he said.
11:45 UK time, Thursday, 23 May 2013
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Is Pres Hollande edging towards German style labour reforms. Speaking in Leipzig he said the reforms 'allowed your country to move ahead.
10:52 UK time, Thursday, 23 May 2013
@BBCGavinHewitt via Twitter
Further indication of how economy is hurting in Italy. Retail sales down for fourth month in row. Small shops saw 6.6% drop since last yr.
10:20 UK time, Thursday, 23 May 2013
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Italy saw exports rise by 6% in past year and like other countries has trade surplus but it is due to imports falling 10%. #Italy
17:36 UK time, Wednesday, 22 May 2013
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We are not yet there but Chancellor Merkel said 'we will work towards ensuring companies have to pay more in the countries they are based.'
13:53 UK time, Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Europe's push against tax fraud gains momentum
David Cameron began his day by restating his position that he not only wants to reform the European Union but that Britain was better off in a reformed EU.
Today is an example of how work gets done in Europe. There is what is called a "thematic summit". There are two main items on the agenda: tax evasion and energy. They will be discussed over lunch and five hours later the motorcades will be heading for the airport or the Gare du Midi.
08:53 UK time, Wednesday, 22 May 2013
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Cameron saying this morning he was v confident of a successful negotiation over Europe...with Britain better off in a reformed EU.
16:25 UK time, Friday, 17 May 2013
The realities of re-negotiating Europe
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
President Hollande's dream
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Francois Hollande's tough first year
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
@BBCGavinHewitt via Twitter
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
@BBCGavinHewitt via Twitter
Recession in euro-zone has now entered it's sixth quarter. Contracted 0.2% between Jan and March. Longest recession in history of euro.
About Gavin
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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