By Shada Islam, Head of Policy at Friends of Europe

Negotiations on a first-ever EU-India free trade agreement are injecting much-needed excitement into Europe’s relationship with India.

Despite earlier hopes, the trade deal will not be signed at the 12th EU-India summit in Delhi on February 10th. But the buzz generated by the negotiations as they enter a critical final stage is helping to lift Europe’s profile in a country which has so far kept the EU at a polite arms length. Read more

The conference focused on the weaknesses and strengths of Pakistan today, looking beyond recent crises. The debate explored, among other issues, flaws in the health and education systems that have kept the country on a downward spiral.
  
In order to effect the needed changes, offered David Martin, Country Director of the British Council Pakistan, the first step is to examine the educational system. Summary and photos & Videos

Given the challenges that Europe is facing, ten leading Brussels think-tanks joined forces at their third annual Brussels Think-Tank Dialogue.  

Giles Merritt, Secretary General of Friends of Europe called for a "message of fairness" from the EU, else it risks finding itself made the “scapegoat” for all of Europe’s ills. On the question of leadership, Merritt said, “just changing the boss is not the answer” and suggested there should be “genuine elections of the President and others at the top of the European Parliament”. Summary of discussions