Jeremy Fleming
EU tech standards team returns from discreet China trip
EXCLUSIVE / A delegation of senior European standards officials spent six days in China last month to explore scope for mutual work on 5G standards amongst other technology-related issues, EURACTIV has learned.
Greg Hands given key role as Cameron mulls early EU referendum
David Cameron could bring the UK referendum forward to next year following his surprise victory in last week’s (7 May) UK election, and has appointed a new minister to play a key role in negotiations.
Europe looks to laser-technology to blaze innovation
SPECIAL REPORT / Cutting edge laser technologies were amongst the prize winners and nominees as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) crowned Europe’s best innovators at a glitzy awards ceremony in Budapest last week (6 May).
EIT woos Juncker Plan money to make up for lost EU budget
SPECIAL REPORT / The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is seeking to recoup funding lost to the Juncker investment plan from other funding sources. One idea being explored is to get money back from... the Juncker Plan.
European tech innovators face becoming rivals’ meal
SPECIAL REPORT / Problems with investment funding, stigmatising business failures and regulatory red tape are threatening Europe’s technical innovating industries, delegates at the InnovEIT Forum heard yesterday (5 May).
EU innovation institute hosts crucial meeting amidst funding questions
SPECIAL REPORT / The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT)’s annual forum will seek this week to address concerns over the body’s management of its flagship Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICS).
Europe’s south, east, lagging on digital connectivity
The Czech Republic, Italy, Portugal and Spain are flagging in the digital economy compared with their northern European counterparts, according to an index of global connectivity conducted by Chinese-headquartered tech company Huawei.
Commission to put financial services, insurance under spotlight
SPECIAL REPORT / The EU executive is set to launch a broad consultation on the state of the internal market for financial services to gauge how fragmented it is and what can be done to encourage more cross-border activity in the insurance sector.
Insurers lead moves to include financial services in TTIP
SPECIAL REPORT / Insurers from the US and EU are amongst leading backers of a financial services chapter within the Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership (TTIP), although the US remains opposed officially.
European insurers’ global reach challenged by cyber threat
SPECIAL REPORT / Europe plays a leading role in the global insurance business. But maintaining this position will depend on its ability to respond to emerging threats in the digital economy, analysts warn.
Consumers lukewarm on cross-border finance, insurance
SPECIAL REPORT / A key problem facing policymakers and industry analysts looking to the provision of cross-border services in finance is the level of consumer demand.![[aranjuez1404/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/02/euro_money_budget_creditaranjuez1404_flickr.jpeg)
EU insurance sector strong but still fragmented
SPECIAL REPORT / With trillions of assets under management, the insurance sector remains a mainstay of the European financial industry. But insurance services are less frequently offered across borders, adding unnecessary costs to consumers, critics say.
US transfer of internet control stalled
Attempts to divest control of the Internet from the US government to a stakeholder group by September might not happen, according to a senior US policymaker, in an early acknowledgment that the issue is likely to be delayed.
Regulators warn over-the-counter derivatives are out of control
EU and US industry and regulatory figures have warned that the number and nature of repositories listing over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives trades is threatening to blind regulators to market risk.
Cyber security directive held up in face of ‘Wild West’ Internet
Disagreements between member states are holding up proposals for pan-European cyber security rules, whilst experts warn that the threat from an anarchic Internet is increasing.
Brussels tackles territorial copyright in digital strategy
The European Commission is preparing to unlock territorial copyright protection for TV, film and music, as part of its Digital Single Market (DSM) blueprint, unveiled on Wednesday (25 March). But it will also include key exemptions for the audiovisual sector, officials told EURACTIV.
Commission to reframe ‘geopolitical’ trade strategy
A new EU trade strategy will be launched later this year responding to the growing number of global trade deals under discussion, and their increasingly high profile and political nature, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said on Monday (23 March).
Brussels makes overture on ‘data flow’ agreement in TTIP
Negotiations on the free flow of data could be considered as part the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), but only after an agreement is reached on the EU’s data protection regulation, EU officials said yesterday (19 March).
Parliament agrees to card caps
EU lawmakers agreed to impose caps on card payments in Europe following a vote in Parliament on Tuesday (10 March), applying to cross-border and domestic card-based payments.
Beijing calls for new ‘Silk Road’ between China and Europe
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called to boost European trade links on Sunday (8 March), as the European Commission mulls Beijing's market economy status within the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Next wave of innovation waits on 5G connectivity
SPECIAL REPORT / Disruptive innovations were thin on the ground at the Barcelona Mobile World Congress. But an air of expectation is gathering around 5G technology, which promises to deliver the kind of pervasive connectivity required for the 'Internet of Things'.
US election could trigger battle over Internet governance
SPECIAL REPORT / Officials attempting to reach a deal over the reform of Internet governance have told EURACTIV that delays and the “weaponisation” of the issue in the current US political climate are threatening to ignite an international dispute.
Commission talks up 5G as member states wilt on telecoms
SPECIAL REPORT / The European Commission is seeking a leadership role in developing new generation telecom networks using 5G technology. But its efforts were thwarted as EU national ministers met in Brussels Tuesday (3 March) to dilute telecoms reforms vital to the idea.