The Commission has presented five legislative proposals to modernise EU rules on maritime safety and prevent water pollution from ships. With 75% of the EU’s external trade being seaborne, maritime transport is not only the artery of a globalised economy, but also a lifeline for the EU’s islands, peripheral and remote maritime regions. Although maritime […]
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La Comisión Europea propone una nueva normativa para proteger a los inversores minoristas en la UE
The Commission has adopted a Retail Investment Package that places the consumers’ interests at the centre of retail investing. The aim is to empower retail investors (i.e. “consumer” investors) to make investment decisions that are aligned with their needs and preferences, ensuring that they are treated fairly and duly protected. This will enhance retail investors’ […]
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First EU-India Trade and Technology Council
The European Union and India have held their first ministerial meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) today in Brussels. The TTC is a key forum to deepen the strategic partnership on trade and technology between the two partners. Geostrategic challenges have reinforced the EU and India’s common interest in ensuring security, prosperity and […]
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Eurogroup discusses banking union and capital markets union and progress on the digital euro project
Eurogroup, 15 May 2023 Agenda highlights In usual composition: Macroeconomic developments in the euro area The Commission presented its spring economic forecasts. On this basis, the Eurogroup exchanged views on the economic outlook and the challenges for future policy coordination. Spring 2023 Economic Forecast Business: structural challenges ahead in a context of heightened geopolitical tensions […]
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EU trade in high-tech products up in 2022
In 2022, the EU imported €482 billion worth of high-tech products from extra-EU countries (+22% compared with 2021). Exports to these countries reached €446 billion (+16% compared with 2021). More than half of imports from China and the United States In 2022, over half of the EU’s high-tech imports from non-EU countries came from China (38%; €183 billion) and the United States (19%; €91 […]
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The European Commission authorizes the acquisition of GACM Spain by AXA Spain
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of GACM España, S.A.U. (“GACM España”) by AXA Seguros Generales, S.A. de Seguros y Reaseguros (“AXA Seguros Generales”), both of Spain. The two companies offer insurance products throughout Spain, as well as hospital services in Barcelona and Cantabria. The Commission concluded that the […]
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EU agricultural trade to reach €424.7 billion in 2022
In 2022, the value of trade (imports plus exports) of agricultural products between the EU and the rest of the world reached €424.7 billion, €77.5 billion more than in 2021 (€347.2 billion). The EU exported €229.1 billion worth of agricultural products and imported €195.6 billion, generating a surplus of €33.5 billion. Between 2002 and 2022, EU trade in agricultural products […]
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European Council adopts legislation making products safer for European consumers
The Council adopted the General Product Safety Regulation, which strengthens safety standards for products sold both online and face-to-face. The rules will strengthen market surveillance of unsafe products and the rights of consumers who have been sold an unsafe product. The adopted Regulation reinforces product safety and consumer protection, and facilitates the repair, return or […]
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European Parliament approves Europe’s first ever rules on crypto-assets
Parliament endorsed the first EU rules to trace crypto-asset transfers, prevent money laundering, as well as common rules on supervision and customer protection. On Thursday, MEPs approved with 529 votes in favour to 29 against and 14 abstentions, the first piece of EU legislation for tracing transfers of crypto-assets like bitcoins and electronic money tokens. The text […]
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