About: single market

Commissioner Ferreira: ‘A crisis of this dimension cannot be addressed with a 1% GNI budget’

The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in the worst recession in the history of the EU, which the European Commission aims to tackle with an unprecedented stimulus package. The Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, explained the ambitious plan in an exclusive interview.

Will the EU have a new ‘single market tax’ for multinationals?

The European Commission is working on a proposal for a new tax on multinationals operating on the single market to finance the recently proposed recovery fund, but the Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, told EURACTIV he recommends being "very cautious" rather than too imaginative in picking new levies.

Commission mulls new shield to protect companies against pandemic

As the “unprecedented” coronavirus crisis requires new tools, the European Commission is thinking of creating a new instrument to support companies at risk of insolvency, especially in vulnerable member states, two top officials said on Monday (27 April).

Centeno: ‘The old books by which we governed are of no use in this period’

In an interview with the Portuguese newspaper Público, the President of the Eurogroup, Mário Centeno, shared some leads about the EU’s recovery plan. He believes that the new recovery plan should have its “own, appropriate and innovative funding mechanism”.

Von Der Leyen urged to prioritise single market to counter slowdown

The European economy is undergoing a rapid transition, with digital technology and climate change needs set to transform normal commerce. Is the EU’s single market flexible enough to handle the change?

EU citizens at a legal crossroad

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The Single Market has torn down the economic barriers all across the EU but the legal discrepancies still stand and citizens find themselves too often at a legal crossroad. A strong EU justice system and legal cooperation across the bloc is key to help Europeans deal with their day to day problems.

Food industry hails new EU rules on mutual recognition of goods

Food industry representatives welcomed the recently revised EU legislation on mutual recognition of goods as a major step forward in the completion of the EU single market. But they said more efforts were needed to improve standardisation, even the well-harmonised food sector.

No deal Brexit ‘almost inevitable’ after UK MPs fail to break deadlock

A 'no deal' Brexit has become 'almost inevitable" after UK lawmakers again failed to break the Brexit deadlock on Monday night (1 April), narrowly rejecting all four alternatives to Prime Minister Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement.

Romanian exporters face an artificial barrier, costs transferred to EU citizens

Visions of trucks being stuck at the border in the event of a 'no deal' Brexit should also remind people of the delays faced by Romanian companies exporting into the Schengen area, writes Stefan Radu-Oprea.

How to level the playing field in the European digital services market?

How can European companies operating in the digital services and e-commerce market be supported, while at the same time making sure consumers are protected? And how can tax policy be rethought to fit the digital marketplace?

In search of fairness on the European Digital Market

Although the European Digital Market has been in place since 2015, much remains to be done to tackle disparities between EU member states and to ensure fair taxation.

Barnier insists current Brexit deal is the ‘only one possible’

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has reflected on what can and what cannot be negotiated between the EU and the United Kingdom, with only 65 days until the scheduled severance date. EURACTIV France reports.

Reform of EU family law

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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".

Why Europe needs a single market for philanthropy

"Who do I call if I want to speak to Europe?" The quote is associated with Henry Kissinger but he never actually said it. He knew very well who to call if he wanted to. Similarly, European institutions have no problem with reaching out to European philanthropy, Felix Oldenburg writes.

Most Swiss back plan for new treaty with EU

Most Swiss support the government's plan to forge a new treaty with the European Union that would have arbitration panels to help settle disputes, a poll published on Sunday (29 April) showed.

The unbearable lightness of Brexit delusions

This week’s developments might cheer those who want to see the UK leave the EU. But they are a rude awakening for those who argued leaving the EU had no costs and a sad reminder that leaving the EU will be an act of self-harm, writes Petros Fassoulas.

British PM to outline post-Brexit trade ties with EU

British Prime Minister Theresa May will detail plans today (2 March) for a new economic relationship with the EU after Brexit, amid heightened tensions with Brussels over the implications for Northern Ireland.

Tony Blair is right on immigration but did nothing to control freedom of movement

After Brexit, the rest of Europe will control freedom of movement sensibly without discriminating on grounds of nationality, adhering to the principle that has been in all European treaties since 1950, writes Denis MacShane.

A market that’s not on the menu

“If economic interests triumph, then we are looking at the EEA.” So said Norwegian political consultant Paal Frisvold of the UK’s future trade relations with the EU, addressing a EURACTIV event on the future of EU integration on Friday (12 January). And his view appears to be shared by the Scottish government.

Sturgeon sees ‘golden’ chance to argue for UK to remain in single market

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon said on Sunday (14 January) there was a "golden opportunity" to argue for Britain to remain in the European single market after Brexit, as no-one had yet demonstrated the benefit of loosening trade ties with the EU.

UK won’t pay to access single market post-Brexit

The British government yesterday (11 January) ruled out paying the European Union to access the single market after leaving the bloc, as Prime Minister Theresa May tried to reassure finance sector players over Brexit.

Bemused Commission defends planning for ‘no deal’ Brexit

The European Commission has dismissed claims that it was ‘discriminating’ against British businesses by starting contingency planning for a possible 'no deal' outcome, in the latest row over the UK’s access to the single market after it formally leaves the EU next year.