On Tuesday, Mario Draghi outlined his blueprint for improving Europe’s competitiveness through closer cooperation in core areas and massive investment in shared objectives. Mr Draghi, author of a report on European competitiveness requested by the President of the European Commission, said that the EU needed to focus on three crucial issues: closing the innovation gap […]
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Employment rate up, labour market down in Q2 2024
In the second quarter of 2024, the employment rate of people aged 20-64 in the EU stood at 75.8%, an increase of 0.2 percentage points (pp) compared with the first quarter of 2024. Labour market slack – encompassing those with unmet employment needs, a large part of which includes unemployed persons – amounted to 11.0% of the extended labour force aged 20-64 in […]
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The Governing Council of the ECB decided today to reduce the interest rate on the deposit facility by 25 basis points
The Governing Council today decided to lower the deposit facility rate – the rate through which it steers the monetary policy stance – by 25 basis points. Based on the Governing Council’s updated assessment of the inflation outlook, the dynamics of underlying inflation and the strength of monetary policy transmission, it is now appropriate to […]
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EU extends individual sanctions over Russia’s war on Ukraine for six months
The Council decided today to prolong the restrictive measures targeting those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine for another six months, until 15 March 2025. The existing restrictive measures provide for travel restrictions for natural persons, the freezing of assets, and a ban on making funds or other economic resources available to the listed […]
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Commission publishes findings of evaluation of EU antitrust enforcement framework
The European Commission yesterday published a Commission Staff Working Document summarising the findings of the evaluation of the EU Regulations laying down the procedures for the application of the EU competition rules(Regulation 1/2003 and Regulation 773/2004, together the “Regulations”). The Regulations establish the procedural framework for the application of the EU competition rules laid down […]
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Eurobarometer shows most EU citizens benefit from international trade
According to the third Eurobarometer on international trade published today, over six in ten Europeans believe they benefit from international trade – an increase compared to the last such survey in 2019. The survey reveals that Europeans value the benefits brought by international trade, such as wider consumer choice and more affordable products. Furthermore, there is strong support […]
Read MoreEU Budget 2025 aims to reinforce funding for Europe’s priorities
The Commission has proposed an annual EU budget of €199.7 billion for 2025. The budget will be complemented by an estimated €72 billion of disbursements under NextGenerationEU. This substantial financial envelope will support the EU in meeting its political priorities while integrating the changes agreed in the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) in […]
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European Semester Spring Package provides policy guidance to enhance the EU’s competitiveness and resilience, and maintain sound public finances
The Commission is providing policy guidance to Member States under the 2024 European Semester Spring Package to build a robust and future-proof economy that secures competitiveness, resilience and long-term prosperity for all, while maintaining sound public finances, in the face of a challenging geopolitical environment. The EU is determined to take further steps to enhance its long-term competitiveness, […]
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European Commission sends requests for information on illegal content and protection of minors to Pornhub, Xvideos and Stripchat under Digital Services Regulation
The Commission has sent requests for information to Pornhub, Stripchat and Xvideos under the Digital Services Regulation. The Commission is asking these companies to provide more detailed information on the measures they have taken to diligently assess and mitigate risks related to the protection of minors online and to prevent the amplification of illegal content […]
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