Jorge Valero
Leaders wrap up year-long euro reform with face-saving package
EU leaders concluded on Friday (14 December) a year-long discussion to bolster the eurozone by approving extra money to resolve failing banks and additional powers for the European Stability Mechanism, the EU’s rescue fund.
ECB chief Draghi downgrades economic forecast as risks persist
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi presented on Thursday (13 December) the bank's downgraded economic forecast for the eurozone for this year and next, as uncertainties and risks remain prominent in the region.
Europe speeds up plans for no-deal scenario as Brexit chaos grows
EU leaders will discuss late on Thursday (13 December) how to address the UK's concerns about its withdrawal agreement from the EU, but discussions on contingency plans are gathering pace as the chances of an orderly divorce continue to wane.
Commission to judge in May France’s deficit deviation
The European Commission will conclude in May whether France’s deficit slippage caused by new spending measures represents a limited and temporary deviation allowed by the rules.
Juncker warns May: ‘No room’ to renegotiate Brexit deal
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday (11 December) that the EU would be open to offer “clarifications” to British Prime Minister Theresa May, but insisted that the withdrawal agreement was the “best possible, the only possible” deal.
Commission says Europe should be ‘worried’ about Huawei
Europe should be “worried” about Huawei and other Chinese companies, given the mandatory cooperation they have to maintain with Chinese intelligence services, European Commission Vice-President for Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said on Friday (7 December).
Italian Enria to lead EU’s bank watchdog
The head of the European Banking Authority, Andrea Enria, will become the Single Supervisory Mechanism chief in charge of overseeing Europe’s largest banks. The Council endorsed his nomination on Thursday (6 December), concluding the process after the European Parliament also gave its green light.
Has the EU delivered on Social Europe?
With only 5 months before the European elections, we discuss whether the European Union has really delivered tackling the social challenges facing citizens and what are the priorities for the new legislature.
EU claims stronger role for its currency despite flawed monetary union
The European Commission presented on Wednesday (5 December) a strategy to strengthen the international role of the euro days after member states continued to drag their feet to complete the economic and monetary union.
EU reaches limited agreement to bolster economic and monetary union
EU finance ministers concluded a deal on Tuesday (4 December) to bolster the region with new tools to save ailing banks and member states but postponed Europe-wide instruments to protect depositors or stabilise national economies.
ECB urges completion of monetary union in ‘unstable’ world
ECB chief Mario Draghi called for the completion of the eurozone framework and to reduce divergencies between West and East members in order to protect the euro in a more "unstable" world on Monday (26 November).
The euro ‘hawks’ want bigger say for crisis fund in cuts and reforms
The so-called Hanseatic League of EU countries called for a “strict conditionality” and more powers for the European Stability Mechanism over those countries requesting assistance to avert a full-blown crisis.
Expert: US-China dispute ‘is not a trade but economic war’
The ongoing trade dispute is an instrument of cold economic warfare launched by the US to “contain” China, and it could lead to the fragmentation of the global economic and financial system, warned Alicia García-Herrero, a senior fellow at Bruegel think tank.
Commission eyes FinTech to boost euro’s role on global stage
New pan-European payment instruments, including solutions based on emerging technologies in the financial sector or FinTech, are a part of the European Commission’s plan to boost the euro's standing in international markets.
Draghi ‘confident’ about a deal on Italian budget
European Central Bank President Mario Draghi expressed his confidence on Thursday (25 October) about the likelihood of an agreement between the European Commission and the Italian government over Rome's spending plan for next year.
New property rules for international couples greeted as ‘achievement’
The new regulations on property regimes for international couples were welcomed on Tuesday (23 October) by professionals and academists as a step forward that will benefit European citizens, but some questions remain ahead of their entry into force in January 2019.
Jourová: ‘Hopeful’ that more countries will join new EU family law regime
New rules on property regimes for international couples will enter into force next year. Věra Jourová, the EU's Justice Commissioner, says the new legal system is "clear, robust and flexible" and hopes more countries will join the once they see the benefits for their citizens.
Reform of EU family law
There are more than 16 million international couples in the EU, according to the European Commission. From January 2019, their rights and obligations will be secured by a European regulation for matrimonial property regimes and so-called "registered partnerships".
European elections amid a looming economic storm
The slowdown of Europe’s economic growth and the risk of a new recession if the ongoing trade war worsens could steer the political agenda in the run-up to next May's European elections.
Italy’s ‘unprecedented’ breach of fiscal rules clouds euro summit
Euro-area leaders agreed on Thursday (18 October) to accelerate the work to bolster the monetary union as the European Commission questioned half a dozen member states’ efforts to balance their public accounts, particularly Italy.
US blames Europe for lack of progress in trade talks, threatens car tariffs
Senior US and EU officials blamed each other on Wednesday (17 October) for a lack of progress in ongoing trade talks, reviving the possibility of fresh tariffs on European cars, said the American representatives.
EU-Vietnam deal seen as ‘stepping stone’ for agreement with ASEAN, says Commission
The EU's Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said on Wednesday (17 October) that the "ambitious" trade deal made with Vietnam could “pave the way” for an agreement with the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), despite scepticism on the other side.
Juncker: If we accept the Italian budget, ‘countries would insult us’
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told Italian media on Tuesday (16 October) that he could not accept the extra spending budgeted by the Italian government because other member states would “insult” the institution.