The Commission has adopted last July 30 a recommendation on voluntary sustainability reporting for small and medium-sized companies (SMEs). The recommendation presents a voluntary standard that will make it easier for SMEs that are not covered by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) to respond to specific requests for sustainability information from large financial institutions and companies. The […]
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Commission unveils anti-fraud revamp to protect the EU budget
Last July 16 the Commission has launched a structured reflection process for the review of the EU Anti-Fraud Architecture. The review complements the preparatory work on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). Its aim is to ensure a strengthened and more efficient protection of the Union’s financial interests. The review of the EU Anti-Fraud Architecture […]
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EP considers budget proposal insufficient to meet Europe’s challenges
MEPs warn that the 1.26% ceiling will force cuts as debt repayments loom and warn about the long-term budget presented by the Commission. Parliament’s co-rapporteurs for the multiannual financial framework (MFF), Siegfried Mureșan (EPP, Romania) and Carla Tavares (S&D, Portugal), together with the co-rapporteurs for own resources,Sandra Gómez López (S&D, Spain) and Danuše Nerudová (EPP, […]
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A simpler tax architecture to benefit EU firms and citizens
MEPs on Tuesday adopted suggestions for reforms to the tax architecture to boost competitiveness while continuing to address tax avoidance and evasion. The report, drafted by Michalis Hadjipantela (EPP, CY), was adopted in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee by 46 votes in favour, 2 votes against and 11 abstentions. It will feed into the ongoing legislative […]
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An ambitious budget for a stronger Europe: 2028-2034
Last July 16, the European Commission presented its proposal for an ambitious and dynamic Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), amounting to almost EUR 2 trillion (or 1.26% of the EU’s gross national income on average between 2028 and 2034). This framework will equip Europe with a long-term investment budget matching its ambitions to be an independent, […]
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European Parliament proposes measures to tackle the increase in non-compliant products imported from outside the EU
On Wednesday, Parliament proposed measures to manage the influx and risks associated with cheap, poor-quality products bought on platforms outside the EU. The report, adopted with 619 votes in favour, 26 against and 46 abstentions, identifies ways to ease the pressure on customs and market surveillance authorities, which struggle to monitor and ensure that […]
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House prices and rents continue to rise in early 2025
In the first quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU rose by 5.7%, while rents increased by 3.2% compared with the same quarter of 2024. Compared with the fourth quarter of 2024, house prices increased by 1.4% and rents by 0.9%. Between 2010 and the first quarter of 2025, house prices in the EU increased by […]
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EU and OEACP reaffirm commitment to global sustainable development
The EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OASECP) have issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the 4th UN Conference on Financing for Development. In a declaration adopted last July 1 by the Council of the EU, the […]
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EU Council and Parliament agree on updated rules to strengthen consumer dispute resolution
The Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement to update, simplify and facilitate the existing alternative dispute resolution (ADR) framework, with the aim of making these procedures more accessible, appealing and better suited to the digital age. ADR refers to out-of-court procedures that help resolve disputes between consumers and traders, typically with […]
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