All publications

AI training requirements should be reformed to be more practical

Article 4 of the AI Regulation: Good for bureaucracy, bad in practice

Article 4 of the AI Regulation leads to abstract, one-off training courses that can be easily controlled bureaucratically. In practice, however, they offer little real added value; what is needed instead are agile, sector-specific teaching and learning programmes. The passage should therefore be modified with the Digital Omnibus.

Czechia's defense and Ukraine policy under the new Babiš government – a first impression

From expansion to stagnation

The security policy environment in which the Czech Republic has found itself since Russia's war against Ukraine has led to a change in defense planning in recent years. Under Petr Fiala's (ODS) government, Czechia was prepared to gradually increase defense spending and left no doubt about its support for Ukraine. However, the new coalition government of Andrej Babiš, formed by the populist ANO party, the right-wing extremist anti-system SPD (Freedom and Direct Democracy) party, and the populist-conservative Motorists' Party, is charting a new course in many areas.

Procedure for verifying compliance of liquid biofuels and biogas intended for use in the transport sector

Research by the Ukrainian Centre for European Policy

Метою цього Порядку є встановлення єдиних вимог та процедур підтвердження відповідності рідкого біопалива (біокомпонентів) та біогазу, призначених для використання у галузі транспорту, критеріям сталості, визначеним законодавством України та актами права Європейського Союзу, що підлягають імплементації відповідно до Угоди про асоціацію між Україною та ЄС та Договору про заснування Енергетичного Співтовариства.

Sustainability Criteria for Liquid Biofuels and Biogas in the Transport Sector

EU requirements and recommendations for Ukraine

This study by the Ukrainian Centre for European Policy is dedicated to establishing in Ukraine a modern, transparent, and EU-law-compliant system for verifying the sustainability of liquid biofuels, biocomponents, and biogas used in the transport sector. The publication analyses the requirements of the RED II and RED III Directives and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/996, identifies gaps in Ukrainian legislation, and proposes a detailed model for a national procedure for verifying compliance with sustainability criteria

Science and Innovation: The Israeli Miracle

Visit of Florian Müller, Spokesperson for Science, Research, and Space of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag.

Florian Müller, Spokesperson for Science, Research, and Space of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag, visited Israel from February 8 to 11.

World trade continues even without WTO reform

The EU can shape trade rules with its partners

From 26 to 29 March 2026, the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference will be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Expectations for this highest-ranking world trade body are extremely low. No one seriously believes that the deadlock that has persisted since the 4th Ministerial Conference in Doha can be broken. The fundamental reform of the WTO that has been called for years will not succeed this time either. While this is not good news for the global trade order, it does not mean that the constructive forces within the international community, and in particular the EU, have their hands tied. 

The Hidden Costs of Exclusion: Gender Inequality in ASEAN Policymaking and Its Economic Implications

ASEAN is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, yet persistent gender inequality continues to limit its economic potential. Women play a vital role in powering ASEAN’s economies, but they remain systematically underrepresented in leadership, policymaking, and high-value sectors. This report demonstrates that gender inequality is not only a matter of fairness but also a profound economic inefficiency, costing the region trillions in lost GDP and undermining sustainable development.

Munich as a Stage for Beijing?

China ahead of the Munich Security Conference 2026

At the leading security forum in Munich, Beijing is able to capitalize on the diplomatic self-weakening of the United States, using the opportunities to advance new partnership and its own agenda; yet despite these advantages, China remains unable to position itself as a genuine alternative for the European Union.

EU Climate Policy in an Uncertain World

How Europe should use emissions trading as a geo‑economic tool for partnerships and resilience – and why this requires social acceptance and clear regulatory principles

High costs are putting EU climate policy under pressure as global rules erode. Europe’s response should follow Social Market Economy principles: aligning carbon prices globally and create reliable, rules‑based frameworks. The EU can use its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to incentivize climate clubs and rely on Article 6 for targeted partnerships. This requires strong domestic acceptance: revenues from carbon pricing must be returned transparently, fairly, and visibly – and the EU Emissions Trading System must be strengthened as the central rules‑based instrument of European climate policy.

Thailand vor den Wahlen

Richtungswechsel oder Status Quo?

Am 8. Februar 2026 wird in Thailand eine neue Regierung gewählt, weniger als drei Jahre seit dem letzten regulären Urnengang. Notwendig wurden die vorgezogenen Neuwahlen durch die Amtsenthebung von Premierministerin Paetongtarn Shinawatra im August 2025, in deren Folge eine Minderheitsregierung unter Anutin Charnvirakul, dem dritten Premierminister seit 2023, geschäftsführend und befristet die Geschicke übernahm. Diese Zeit geht nun zu Ende – am 12. Dezember 2025 wurde das Parlament aufgelöst, im Januar der Wahltermin bekannt gegeben. Zudem findet am selben Tag ein Referendum zum Für und Wider einer Verfassungsreform statt, die über die grundsätzliche politische Architektur des Landes langfristig entscheidet. Was steht auf dem Spiel, welche Szenarien zeichnen sich ab und was bedeutet das für die Zukunft des Landes? Ein Überblick.