About: Valdis Dombrovskis
EU freezes budget disciplinary procedure against Italy
The solution offered to the European Commission is not ‘ideal’ but Italy's efforts are sufficient to avoid the launch of the excessive deficit procedure, the EU executive announced on Wednesday (19 December).
EU lawmakers agree on a backstop for non-performing loans
European banks will have to foresee a "prudential backstop" to cover for potential non-performing loans (NPLs), the European Parliament and the Council agreed on Tuesday (18 December).
Macron announces financial concessions in bid to end ‘yellow vest’ revolt
Embattled French President Emmanuel Macron Monday (10 December) announced a series of financial measures seeking to defuse the "yellow vest" revolt that has triggered violent protests in cities across the country.
Italy one step closer to EU budget procedure
Italy’s deputy Prime Minister Luigi Di Maio said he was confident about ongoing talks with the European Commission over the country’s budget, despite a fresh recommendation by EU government representatives on Thursday (29 November) to open an excessive deficit procedure against Italy.
Commission launches excessive deficit procedure against Italy, saying it is ‘sleepwalking into instability’
The European Commission hedged its bets and called for the opening of an excessive deficit procedure against Italy on Wednesday (21 November) as Rome refused once again to revise its draft budget plan.
Italy sticks to its guns in revised budget submitted to EU
Italy defied Brussels again on Tuesday (13 November) as Finance Minister Giovanni Tria presented only a slightly modified draft budget, despite the European Commission rejecting the previous spending plan in an unprecedented decision.
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).
Juncker raps Italy for putting euro at risk, Di Maio denounces fiscal ‘terrorism’
A war of words took place days after Rome announced a big spending boost in defiance of the European Union that has spooked the markets and has EU capitals fearing a return of the debt crisis.
Greece exits bailout programme but faces hard times ahead
Greece concluded its rescue programme on Monday (20 August), marking a milestone in its recent history and the end of the most difficult period for the euro area, but analysts and officials said the country faces an uphill struggle to maintain its economy sustainable.
Bulgaria edges closer to joining euro
Bulgaria, the European Union's poorest country, moved a step closer to joining the euro yesterday (12 July).
Commission approves close surveillance of Greece after bailout
The European Commission adopted a set of measures on Wednesday (11 July) to closely monitor Greece's fiscal policy after it concludes an eight-year-long bailout programme on 20 August, closing one of the darkest chapter's in the single currency's short history.
Commission hails similarities with Merkel’s eurozone proposals
European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s proposals to strengthen the euro area, noting the similarities between the Bundesrepublik's and EU executive’s ideas on structural reform and investment support.
Unemployment peaks to trigger new investment shield
A spike in unemployment numbers would give EU countries access to €30 billion of soft loans to maintain investment in times of economic turbulences, according to proposals unveiled by the European Commission on Thursday (31 May).
Commission’s bond-backed product gets lukewarm reception
Financial representatives poured cold water on Thursday (24 May) on the European Commission’s proposal to create sovereign bond-backed securities (SBBS), insisting that not all the elements exist yet for a successful market for the product.
Commission demands ‘credible response’ from Italy to reduce debt
The European Commission on Wednesday (23 May) approved Italy’s efforts to balance its public accounts but asked the new government for a “credible response” in order to further reduce its immense public debt.
Commission’s Eurobond alternative still viewed with scepticism
The European Commission has said that the zero-risk weight of its forthcoming sovereign bond-backed securities proposal will be a ‘game changer’, but member states and the financial sector remain sceptical about how the new asset could work in practice.
Commission defends ‘equivalence’ with UK for financial services
European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis told the UK’s financial sector on Tuesday (24 April) that the EU and UK regimes could co-exist together after Brexit, but warned that London would not have a say in the decision-making process.
Europe takes first step toward clarifying booming ‘green’ finance
The European Commission unveiled on Thursday (8 March) its highly expected action plan on sustainable finance, aiming to clarify what can be labelled as "green" investment and potentially lowering capital requirements on asset holders.
Commission passes the ball on sovereign debt rules
European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said on Wednesday (7 March) that he does not intend to amend the regulatory treatment of sovereign debt held by banks following inconclusive discussions at international level.
Europe postpones response to cryptocurrencies to end of year
The European Commission will assess whether new rules are needed against the “substantial speculation” of digital currencies, Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis said on Monday (26 February).
Commission to introduce rules to clarify ‘green’ investment in May
Following the action plan on sustainable finance to be published early next month, the European Commission will present legislation in May to define what represents 'green' investment, EURACTIV has learned.
EU seeks to urgently counter threat of bitcoin bubble bursting
The EU's top official for the euro on Wednesday (20 December) pressed European regulators to urgently update financial rules in order to face bitcoin's dizzying volatility, after the crypto-currency leapt from $1,000 to $20,000 in under a year.
Commission running late on climate reporting project
The Commission is working on its climate reporting project to be announced next spring, but Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis already announced support for a relaxation of prudential regulations for green projects. EURACTIV France reports.