2015年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_CEPS_Highlights_2014_17页_2mb

CEPS Summary: Banking Union as a Shock Absorber – Lessons from the US (2014-15)

Core Content

The Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) is a leading European think tank that focuses on policy research and analysis to support the development of European governance. In 2014-15, CEPS emphasized the importance of banking union as a shock absorber for the Eurozone, drawing insights from the US model. The organization outlined its research priorities and challenges, aiming to provide independent, evidence-based policy recommendations to address pressing European issues.

Main Research Areas and Priorities

CEPS structured its research into six work streams, aligned with the priorities set by the June 2014 European Council and the Juncker Commission:

1. Economy and Finance

• Economic Policy: Focus on the functioning of the EU governance framework, especially fiscal coordination.
• Financial Markets: Shift focus to capital markets union, addressing structural and regulatory barriers.
• Jobs and Skills: Establishment of a dedicated Jobs and Skills unit, with research on European unemployment insurance schemes, social innovation, and real-time labor market analysis.

2. Energy and Climate Change

• Energy: Emphasis on the energy revolution, balancing engineering and economics.
• Climate Change: Need to balance competitiveness and climate leadership, particularly with the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).
• Sustainable Development: Addressing the environmental sustainability challenge, including climate change impacts on agriculture and the role of the CAP in promoting environmental goals.

3. Regulation

• Better Regulation: CEPS supports the European Commission's efforts to improve legislation and reduce regulatory burdens.
• Digital Agenda: Work on the Digital Union and cybersecurity.
• Trade and Markets: Research on TTIP, CETA, and other bilateral trade agreements, including regulatory philosophy and impact assessments.

4. Rights

• Migration: A critical challenge, with a focus on human rights-compliant immigration management, asylum policies, and solidarity among member states.
• Justice and Home Affairs (JHA): Research on internal security, e-surveillance, privacy, free movement, Schengen, and criminal justice cooperation.

5. Europe in the World

• EU Foreign Policy: Addressing Russia-Ukraine conflict, ISIS, Libya, and Egypt, with a focus on European defence cooperation.
• Global Engagement: Supporting the EU's role as a global leader on climate change, particularly in the context of the Paris Agreement (COP21).

6. Institutions

• EU Governance: Re-evaluating the EU 2020 strategy and the Juncker Plan, ensuring sustainability and inclusiveness.
• Public Support: Strengthening European identity and institutional credibility.

Key Challenges

Economy and Finance

• Greece Crisis: A major test for the European Central Bank (ECB) and monetary policy.
• Capital Markets Union: Need to move beyond fragmentation, with regulatory and structural reforms.

Energy and Climate Change

• Energy Transition: Balancing economic and environmental goals, ensuring investment in clean technologies.
• Climate Leadership: Ensuring EU competitiveness while leading on climate change, especially in avoiding carbon leakage and fostering innovation.

Regulation

• Better Regulation: Need for clarity on policy objectives and use of better regulation tools.
• Digital Union: Addressing online platforms, data privacy, and market distortion by tech giants.

Migration

• EU Migration Policy: Need for fair responsibility sharing, institutional support, and solidarity among member states.
• Human Rights: Ensuring migration debates are based on evidence and not fear-based politics.

Europe in the World

• Russia and Ukraine: Developing a clear and consistent strategy for Russia and supporting Ukraine and Eastern Partnership countries.
• Global Climate Leadership: The Paris Agreement represents a key opportunity for the EU to demonstrate its leadership.

Institutions

• EU 2020 Strategy: Concerns over its postponement and relevance.
• Public Support: Addressing the declining support for the EU, with a focus on long-term vision and institutional credibility.

Key Information

• CEPS Mission: To conduct state-of-the-art policy research and provide evidence-based solutions to European challenges.
• Assets:
  • Complete independence in research.
  • International research team with over 70 researchers from 23 countries.
  • Extensive membership base of 120 Corporate Members and 130 Institutional Members.
• Events and Initiatives:
  • CEPS Ideas Lab: A platform for collaboration and outreach, with 2016 event planning underway.
  • EU ETS: Central to climate policy, with a focus on credibility and competitiveness.
  • Energy Climate House: Launched in 2014 to enhance energy and climate research.

Conclusion

CEPS continues to play a vital role in shaping European policy through rigorous research and independent analysis. The organization is focused on long-term challenges such as banking union, climate change, migration, and institutional reform, while also addressing short-term crises like the Greek financial situation and regulatory debates. The 2015-2016 period is seen as a crucial time for the EU to think ahead, improve governance, and reinforce its global leadership.