About: Juncker plan
EIB cannot do business with Iran, bank chief warns
The European Investment Bank (EIB) would risk its business model if it invested in Iran, because of the sanctions the US reinstated after its withdrawal from the nuclear deal, the president of the EIB told the press on Wednesday (18 July).
Asian investment bank: ‘We could invest in the EU’
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has recently decided to start looking abroad to invest its $100 billion in capital, including ports in the EU. His vice-president Joachim von Amsberg told EURACTIV there wouldn’t be any rivalry with EU institutions, but rather "collaboration".
Better use of EU funding is needed to create better jobs, EU experts say
With less than a year before the next European elections, EU stakeholders and MEPs expressed the need for the European Union to create more and better jobs in a bid to tackle EU citizens’ current rejection of EU institutions.
Goodbye Juncker plan, hello InvestEU, Europe’s new investment fund
The European Commission put forward a proposal on Wednesday (6 June) to bring all of the EU's existing investment instruments under the banner of a new fund called "InvestEU" which will formally succeed the Juncker Plan.
EU economies hit by collapse in investment, new data shows
Most EU countries have been hit by a collapse in investment in the past decade, according to data published by Eurostat on 14 May. EURACTIV’s partner La Tribune reports.
‘Juncker plan’ mobilises €284 billion in investment
The EU’s investment fund set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis has mobilised €284 billion to date, mostly in private capital, surpassing the halfway point of its 2020 target.
Luxembourg seeks to become Europe’s green finance hub
At the COP23 summit in Bonn, Luxembourg's finance and environment ministers joined with directors of the European Investment Bank to launch a de-risking mechanism that will allow financing of climate-friendly projects.
EIB president: Europe needs a paradigm shift in development policy
The Juncker Plan has been a "miraculous instrument", and Europe now needs the same paradigm change in development policy. That means moving from social policy to economic development, and from grants to loans. The EU will play a huge role in that shift, Werner Hoyer told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
UN chief: Migration ‘highly desirable’ if managed humanely and responsibly
For the first time, the Paris Agreement acknowledged climate change causes migration. At COP23 in Bonn, the big question is how to address it, William Lacy Swing said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
EU digital official: Cyber threats know no borders
Linda Cogruedo Steneberg, Director at the the European Commission's DG Connect , revealed how the EU executive is trying to extend broadband coverage and democratise the internet, as well as protecting our privacy as hacker attacks become more commonplace. EURACTIV Spain reports.
Greece and Bulgaria sign ‘Sea2Sea’ project, hoping for EU funding
Sofia and Athens signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday (6 September) for the construction of a high-speed railway, hoping to attract foreign investment and establish strong links in a region historically known for divisions and antagonism between neighbours.
Rural areas have bad internet access in most member states
Many rural parts of the EU have poor or no broadband internet, even as lawmakers in Brussels discuss new rules to speed up connectivity.
EIB approves €12 bn for transport, energy, infrastructure
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved new financing worth €12.4 billion for projects in transport, including a new metro line in Paris, infrastructure and energy, the bank said on Tuesday (18 July).
Juncker Plan falls short of offering green projects, expert group says
The high-level group on sustainable finance proposed on Tuesday (18 July) a new platform to match capital and green projects, as the Juncker Plan did not develop the 'big pipeline' that was expected to unlock the money resting in the pockets of big investors.
Macron win bolsters European moves on globalisation, eurozone
The European Commission will consider additional actions to defend European investment abroad and will call for high level of social protection to minimise the negative consequences of global trade.
Greek SMEs vie for center stage in Juncker’s investment plan
The Greek government will try to use the Investment Plan for Europe in order to boost cash-strapped small and medium enterprises. EURACTIV Greece reports. In Greece, so-called “red” loans have exceeded €100 billion, representing 10% of all non-performing loans at...
Crețu tells Athens ‘We are not Soviet Commissioners’
EU Regional Policy Commissioner Corina Crețu called the Greek government yesterday (6 April) to work more closely with the executive regarding the implementation of the Juncker Investment Plan. EURACTIV Greece reports.
Spain benefitted most from Juncker Plan in 2016
Spain is one of the main beneficiaries of the Juncker Plan, according to European Investment Bank Vice-President Román Escolano, after a year in which the EU bank focused on financing SMEs. Euractiv Spain reports.
Czech Regions VP: Cohesion policy must serve citizens
Czech and Slovak national delegations to the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) recently presented a joint opinion on the future of cohesion policy after 2020, in which they set out seven common principles and priorities for the next programming period.
Europe finally takes centre stage in French election
In their eagerness to distance themselves from the National Front, the left-wing candidates for the French presidency are suddenly discovering their pro-European side. Some even want more sovereignty to go to Brussels. EURACTIV France reports.
European infrastructure needs more than public funding
Europe’s leaders are stuck on the horns of a huge dilemma: how to invest more in critical infrastructure without burdening taxpayers further. Private capital is ready to invest in transport, energy, telecoms and healthcare, but existing barriers are holding it back, writes Michael Collins.
OFCE’s Timbeau: A high carbon tax would help end economic stagnation
EU leaders should see public debt reduction as a long-term challenge and not be afraid of making investments for the future. Cutting debts quickly can increase unemployment and make a country worse off, Xavier Timbeau told EURACTIV France.
Katainen warns against ‘insane’ push for energy efficiency
Jobs and Growth Commissioner Jyrki Katainen has insisted that the low-carbon transition and energy savings are needed if Europe’s economy is to be modernised. But he warned against pushing for “insane” efficiency targets and putting too much pressure on industry.