Freedom of movement, including the opportunity to cross state borders without unnecessary obstacles, is of great significance in people’s lives. For this reason, visa policy should not be used as a political instrument, writes Peter Van Elsuwege.

Not assisting or protecting victims of violence is a cost for society. New rules to be adopted in the Parliament this  week will allow women assaulted in one country to be equally protected when they travel elsewhere in the Union. This is a landmark decision that proves Europe stands by its citizens, write Viviane Reding and Antonio López-Istúriz.

Critics like to depict the European Union as undemocratic and unpopular, but their arguments are too often based on myths and misunderstandings. This does us all a disservice, and in this period of uncertainty about the future of Europe it is more important than ever that we have a firm grasp of the issues at stake, writes John McCormick.

The EU’s climate policy has not vanished but the approach today is probably more balanced towards other aims like energy supply security and competitiveness, Friedbert Pflüger said in an interview with EurActiv Slovakia.

When Heads of State meet today (22 May) and discuss energy policy they will remain silent on one of the key problems in the EU internal electricity market, writes Claude Turmes.

A proposal by European Council President Herman Van Rompuy to fight tax evasion, heralded in draft conclusions to today’s EU summit, will seek to maintain momentum on the EU savings directive by asking leaders to agree the initiative by the end of the year.

EU ministers are pressing to conclude negotiations on the EU’s 2014-2020 budget before the term of the Irish presidency ends in June.

The European Parliament yesterday (21 May) approved a non-binding resolution calling for a mandatory EU-wide share for renewables for 2030, but failed to set the target in the 40-45% range.

Britain asked the European Union on Tuesday (21 May) to put Hezbollah’s military arm on its list of terrorist organisations, urging Europe to respond robustly to evidence of the Islamist group’s involvement in a July 2012 bomb attack in Bulgaria.

Apple's ability to shelter billions of euros of income from tax has depended on an unusual loophole in the Irish tax code that helps the country compete with other countries for investment and jobs. EU leaders are meeting in Brussels today (22 May) with tax evasion and aggressive tax planning on their agenda.

European lawmakers have recommended holding the European elections on 22-25 May 2014, rather than June, to give the new Parliament time to prepare for the European Commission presidency election in July.

Europe’s plan to decarbonise its economy by 2050 could be turned on its head at a summit today (22 May) if EU heads of state and government sign off on measures prioritising industrial competitiveness over climate change in draft conclusions seen by EurActiv.

With technological progress and globalisation changing the way people access and use personal data, the need for a digital social contract is becoming obvious, according to participants at a recent debate on digital identity held in Warsaw. EurActiv Poland reports.

Gazprom is squeezing Athens for better terms to buy DEPA, Greece's sole retail gas distributor, a Greek official said, as the Russian gas export monopoly leverages its position as the only major player in the running.

As more people are affected by rising energy costs across Europe it is time for EU leaders to finally re-balance the energy debate and put affordability and security of supply on a par with decarbonisation goals, argues Milton Catelin.

Former Romanian MEP George (Gigi) Becali has been sentenced to three years in prison for abuse of power in connection with a land exchange deal with the Romanian Defence Ministry 15 years ago.

Changes shaking the European energy sector along with the requirements of sustainable development carry the need for a new-era energy community, mirroring  the ambitions the founders had in 1951 when they put together a coal and steel community, say Jacques Delors, Jerzy Buzek, Antonio Vitorino and Sami Andoura.

EU leaders will meet today to discuss how to lower energy prices and improve industrial competitiveness, at a time when other developed countries are rushing to invest in shale gas.Second issue on the agenda is tax evasion, which every year deprives EU governments of roughly €1 trillion.

While cheap energy prices in industrialised countries can be seen as a short-term reprieve for industries under competitive pressure from low-cost countries, they have negative consequences in the long run, writes Karl Aiginger. He argues that a new industrial policy should support Europe's competitive advantage in clean technology.

As the EU and Japan enter an important phase of negotiations for a free-trade deal, the European Commission is trying to lure exporters to tap into the potential of the Japanese market through an executive training programme.