President Komorowski was planned to go on an official visit to Japan at the end of November. Did Abe Shinzo's cabinet permanently change Japan in less than two years that he has been in office? Currently little shows for it. Far-reaching structural reforms are a must. The success or failure of the PM's ambitious reform plans will depend on the condition of the Japanese economy. If "Abecnomics" brings the expected results, then he may obtain a mandate for deeper political changes. However, if the situation isn't permanently stimulated, Japan may see another "lost decade".

The year 2014 turns out to be a breakthrough for German energy transformation. On the one hand, the amendment of the Renewable Energy Act, which entered into force on August 1st 2014, announces the most radical changes in the system of support for renewable energy since year 2000. On the other, despite the huge increase in electricity exports, it is expected that, for the first time, the amount of electricity from renewable sources exceeds 30% - writes Andrzej Ancygier writes in the latest issue of the German Bulletin.

During a meeting organized by the Young Polish International Network with financial support from the German Embassy, young Poles discussed sustainable development, energy security and the climate-energy package after 2020 with experts from Warsaw, Berlin and London. The workshop coincided with the end of the 2-day meeting of the European Council in Brussels, where the final decision was made about the new policy framework on climate and energy as well as to further measures to strengthen Europe's energy security.

CIR's Chairman of the Board and former Polish Ambassador to Germany, Janusz Reiter believes that Berlin should play the first fiddle in resolving conflicts in Europe, although many citizens prefer that their country does not get involved in disputes. The German slogan "No more war" gets on my nerves - he told the "Die Welt" newspaper. Today in Europe we have to deal with three crises: the crisis of the euro, the crisis on the eastern flank of Europe and the crisis in southern Europe. In all three Germany should play a central role.

The reform of regulated professions called "deregulation" has been ongoing in Poland for nearly three years. Among 374 types of such professions, access to 147 has been facilitated and another 101 will be opened early next year. The changes will affect nearly 800 thousand people. The benefits of the reform and the related challenges were discussed at the Fourth National Single Market Forum organized by the Ministry of Economy and the General Directorate of the European Commission responsible for the Internal Market and Services.

During the "Gender Equality" conference, CIR's expert, prof. Krystyna Iglicka, moderated the panel on migration. She highlighted the growing role of Norway as a country to which Poles are increasingly willing to emigrate. It is in fact in 4th place after the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. One of the projects presented was the TRANSFAM project: "Doing family in transnational context. Demographic choices, welfare adaptations, school integration and everyday life of Polish families living in Polish-Norwegian transnationality".

The European project was to create an area of peace, security and prosperity in the century-conflict-plagued Europe. The recent enlargement connected Eastern and Western Europe, enabling further integration and development of the continent. The key to the success of the Old Continent in the new century is the word "competitiveness". The starting point for the discussion was the report "Future of European Integration: A Reform to call" by BDI, ECONOMIESUISSE, TÜSİAD and the Lewiatan Confederation.