Jorge Valero
Europe strengthens monitoring of foreign investment
The European Parliament approved on Thursday (14 February) the proposal to screen foreign investment at EU level, clearing the path for closer monitoring of third country companies willing to invest in EU’s critical sectors.
Europe creates labour watchdog to fight against abuses
The European Parliament and member states have reached an agreement to set up a new European Labour Authority (ELA) to protect workers’ rights and launch cross-border investigations in case of potential abuses.
Commission adopts stricter blacklist of money launderers
The European Commission has included Saudi Arabia and Panama in an extended ‘blacklist’ of uncooperative jurisdictions in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing, in an effort to regain citizens’ trust in the fight against financial crimes.
France and Germany prepare plan to create European champions
Following the rejection of the Alstom-Siemens merger, France and Germany are working on a review of the EU’s competition rules to create European champions capable of competing with US and Chinese multinationals.
Member states shield national vetoes on tax matters
A large majority of EU governments opposed on Tuesday (12 February) the European Commission’s proposal to end the unanimity required to pass legislation on taxation, saying they want to protect national sovereignty and avoid having decisions forced on reluctant countries.
Finnish finance minister: ‘Case closed’ for universal basic income
Finland is the first country to complete a nation-wide experiment on universal basic income. With the first results in, Finnish finance minister Petteri Orpo told EURACTIV.com that the largest parties in his country don’t support the idea anymore.
Uncertainty dampens European growth
Euro area economy is expected to slow down more markedly than initially expected, because of the impact of increasing risks, including a disorderly Brexit, and external tensions primarily driven by the US-China trade war.
Six takeaways from Siemens-Alstom rejection
The European Commission decided on Wednesday (6 February) to block the merger of Siemens and Alstom, meant to create a European champion in the railway sector, due to the negative impact it would have on the European market and consumers.
Airlines should prepare for Brexit, Brussels insists
Thousands of flights by carriers such as Iberia or Vueling could be grounded because of their non-EU ownership, in the case of the UK's no-deal exit from the EU. But the European Commission stressed on Tuesday (5 February) that airlines have been warned to prepare.
Juncker prepares the ground for Alstom-Siemens merger rejection
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Tuesday (5 February) that the institution “will never play favourites” as the EU executive reportedly prepares to reject the Alstom-Siemens merger, despite intense political pressure from France and Germany.
World Bank’s Georgieva: Venezuela needs tens of billions of dollars
As the Venezuelan crisis unfolds, the World Bank is ready to act as soon as its members give the green light, said the institution's new interim president, Kristalina Georgieva. In an interview with EURACTIV.com, she estimated that the financial needs to cover would be around tens of billions of dollars.
Asian investment bank warns of private capital decline
Global trade tensions are scaring investors globally. In Asia, despite the huge needs to finance large projects, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is “concerned” about stagnant and even fall of private capital being attracted, its vice-president told EURACTIV.com.
EU and US to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation
EU and US authorities have agreed to intensify their cooperation in the field of cybersecurity standards, as Western countries become increasingly concerned about links between Chinese telecom companies such as Huawei with Beijing.
EU will eliminate industrial tariffs only if US lifts metal duties
The European Commission has made clear to the US administration that the elimination of industrial tariffs will depend on Washington lifting duties it imposed on EU steel and aluminium last summer.
EU’s top lawyer blesses CETA’s investment court system
The new system to settle disputes between states and private investors included in the EU-Canada trade agreement is compatible with EU law, the EU Court’s advocate general concluded on Tuesday (29 January), dismissing previous concerns.
Draghi steps into political debate, calls for more togetherness in EU
As European partners remain disunited on the way forward to strengthen the eurozone, ECB President Mario Draghi made a wholehearted defence on Monday (28 January) of the need to act together to complete the economic and monetary union and increase the influence of the common currency abroad.
EU reluctant to recognise self-proclaimed Venezuela president, calls for elections
Amid growing pressure by Latin American presidents to recognise the self-proclaimed president of Venezuela, opposition leader Juan Guaidó, the EU is reluctant to follow the steps of the US and instead called on Thursday (24 January) for "free and fair elections”.
Has the EU delivered on economy and growth?
The European elections will take place in just over four months. Economy and growth will play an important role in deciding who will sit in the new European Parliament.
EU gets ready to retaliate if US adopts fresh car tariffs
The European Commission adopted on Friday (18 January) negotiating mandates to eliminate tariffs in all industrial goods, including cars, with the US, but also warned that the preparations to retaliate are “very well advanced” if Washington decides to slap fresh duties on European automobiles.
Europe urged to bolster defences against climate, cyber risks
Nations across the globe should step up preparations against global risks such as climate change and cyber attacks, EU officials say, as these areas remain the most pressing for global experts surveyed ahead of this year's World Economic Forum (WEF) taking place in Davos next week.
World risks sleepwalking into next crisis, Davos report warns
Global risks are intensifying but the will to tackle them collectively is eroding, as forces across the planet call for “taking back control”, the World Economic Forum warned in its latest report published on Wednesday (16 January).
Davos forum opens debate to rethink multilateralism
The World Economic Forum will discuss new models of cooperation in Davos next week amid growing pressure from politicians and people who question the benefits of globalisation.
Madrid and Brussels disagree over Iberia’s Spanish ownership after Brexit
Madrid is struggling to convince the European Commission about the Spanish ownership of Iberia, as it tries to preserve the air carrier's license to operate intra-EU flights after Brexit without altering the company's structure.