Economy & Jobs
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.
Dependence on European funds worries Portuguese opposition
Portuguese MEPs José Manuel Fernandes (PSD) and Pedro Silva Pereira (PS) agree on the importance of European structural funds in public investment, although the former says it is "worrying" and the latter considers it "strategic". EURACTIV's media partner Lusa reports.
Study finds rising illicit cigarette trade on social media
Social media and delivery services have become new outlets for organised crime activities when it comes to illicit cigarette trade, according to a new study that has raised eyebrows among EU policymakers.
US sets new trade talks with EU, Japan, Britain
US officials announced Tuesday (16 October) negotiations for separate trade agreements with Britain, the European Union and Japan as part of efforts by President Donald Trump's administration to rebalance global commerce.
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.
Innovation on rise in Europe but education changes slowly, business leader says
Europe is seeing a resurgence of innovation and enterprise, but its education system is still too traditional and closed to changes, according to Johan Andresen, a Norwegian businessman working to promote entrepreneurial education.
Eurozone faces critical budget issue as Italy defies the rules
For the first time since post-crisis rules entered into force, all eurozone countries are to submit their draft budget plans to the European Commission, but the Commission could also make an unprecedented move itself: sending one of budgets back to where it came from, most likely, Rome.
EU authorities defend Popular’s resolution despite thousands of complaints
Banco Popular intervention was a success story although more than 12,000 of the Spanish bank's shareholders requested to be heard in the complaint process, the European Commission and the Single Resolution Board (SRB) said on Monday (15 October).
90% of major European banks already sanctioned for money laundering
According to a British report, 18 of the 20 leading European banks, including four French ones, have already been sanctioned for money-laundering offences over the past decade. EURACTIV France’s media partner La Tribune reports.
Cohesion Policy must work on a people-based approach, stakeholders say
Cohesion Policy is one the most important but still insufficiently known tools for EU integration, stakeholders highlighted during a EURACTIV forum in Brussels on Wednesday (10 October), where they called for a better communication to counter Euroscepticism.
The EU’s patchwork social pillar on work-life balance
The patchwork of policies on work-life balance across the EU reflect differing levels of commitment to the EU's Social Pillar.
Economic growth: The party’s over, says IMF
The International Monetary Fund has lowered its forecast for economic growth in the global economy as the trade conflict between the USA and China becomes a real threat. But the situation in Europe is not exactly rosy either. EURACTIV Germany’s media partner WirtschaftsWoche reports.
Digital tax to come by Christmas, Moscovici says
The EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici has rallied the cause for an EU-wide digital tax to be rolled out in time for Christmas, amid a raft of opposition on the plans from member states, legal experts and industry associations.
A 1950 law discourages investments in Greece
An old-fashioned law of the Greek penal code dated back to 1950 prevents private actors from investing in projects where the public sector also has a share, thus blocking a potential investment boom the country badly needs.
Decentralised cooperation: building bridges for local-to-local development beyond 2020
Decentralised cooperation has been a pillar in international development for the past 10 years but stakeholders fear the new EU long-term budget might threaten the role of local authorities in the field.
EU citizens need a Europe that’s closer to them, says former US ambassador
EU citizens want more Europe, but they want a Europe that works, a former US ambassador to the EU told the closing ceremony of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2018 in Brussels on Thursday (October 11). Europe’s comparative...
German minister: Rescue package for Italy won’t be necessary
German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said on Thursday (11 October) he did not expect Italy to need aid to deal with its debt pile. Any intervention by the European Central Bank would require Italy to formally apply for a rescue programme, sources said.
New people for new jobs – Benefits of entrepreneurial education
3D animation, smart TV apps, content monetisation technology, big data analysis, online education platforms. If anyone ever doubted that the future of work is already here, the list of young European entrepreneur achievements presented in Brussels should be enough to convert even hardcore doubters.
EU Fiscal Board blames Commission for ineffective recommendations
The European Fiscal Board complained on Wednesday (10 October) that member states had failed to use strong economic growth to reduce their public debt, and called for a major change of EU fiscal rules to ensure better enforcement by the European Commission.
Europe’s ‘golden visa’ schemes open doors for criminals, report finds
With its cash-for-passport practices, Europe has opened its door to the criminal and corrupt, with some member states running a lucrative industry of trading citizenship for money, said a new report by Transparency International and Global Witness.
Portugal dominates RegioStars Awards with innovation, culture projects
Portugal was the big winner of the RegioStars awards 2018 in Brussels, a project promoting regional innovation, cohesion and culture in the EU, with two awards for its innovation in sustainable industrial technologies and the promotion of cultural heritage.