Etienne de Callataÿ states that rather than to go for monetary unions exclusively containing homogeneous countries, we have no other choice than to take up the challenge of more convergence within Europe.

Morality is no soft issue but touches the core of a healthy economic system. In finance, trust is even more important, as without it, liquidity is absent.

The financial sustainability of care is under pressure, both for the state and the patient. In Belgium only Flanders takes some cautious steps forward to tap sufficient financial resources for care in the future.

Marc De Vos criticizes the European Growth Pact. The Pact is an empty box of wishful thinking that at best will have a homeopathic effect. The severity of the euro-crisis is once again being denied.

Herman Matthijs is in favour of the Anglosaxon spoils system as an open, honest system for the appointment of top civil servants. The candidates have to demonstrate their knowledge for the concerned field before the competent parliamentary commission.

Economic fundamentals tend to favor Europe core countries against peripheral ones. An ever increasing economic integration in Europe will reinforce this phenomenon. Laurent Hanseeuw explains these evolutions and clarifies why the solidarity attached to such trends should be rather debated.