The visit to Madrid by the Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, which began the previous day with a meeting with the Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, concluded on January 10, when the Commissioner and the Minister discussed about the European space policy and other strategic issues. Afterwards, in a working lunch […]
Read MoreCost of living crisis: Europeans expect additional EU measures
The rising cost of living is the most pressing worry for 93 % of Europeans, followed by the threat of poverty and social exclusion (82 %) Recent crises strengthened citizens’ support for the European Union: 72 % believe that their country has benefited from being a member of the EU and 62 % see EU […]
Read MoreForeign subsidies regulation enters into force to ensure fairer EU markets
The Foreign Subsidies Regulation (‘FSR’) enters into force. This new set of rules for addressing distortions caused by foreign subsidies will allow the EU to remain open to trade and investment, while ensuring a level playing field for all companies operating in the Single Market. The Regulation was proposed by the Commission in May 2021 and agreed by […]
Read MoreNights booked online up 9% in the Summer of 2022
During the third quarter of 2022, which included the traditional summer holiday months of July and August, guests spent around 251 million nights in short-term rental accommodation in the EU, booked via Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group or TripAdvisor, an increase of around 24%, compared with the same period of 2021. With this value, platform tourism […]
Read MoreEuropean Single Market is turning 30
This year, the EU celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Single Market – one of the major achievements of European integration, and one of its key drivers. Established on 1 January 1993, the European Single Market allows goods, services, people and capital to move around the EU freely, making life easier for people and opening up new opportunities […]
Read MoreGame on! Extra-EU toy imports totalled €7.1 billion
When embarking on the hunt for the perfect presents to delight children, toys are surely at the top of the list. The EU is a net importer of toys from the rest of the world, with €7.1 billion worth of toys imported from extra-EU countries in 2021. Extra-EU exports totalled around a third of this (€2.4 billion). China main toy importer to the EU China […]
Read MoreCroatia joins the Euro and Schengen areas
On 1 January 2023 Croatia adopted the euro as its currency and fully joined the Schengen area. This marks an important milestone in the history of Croatia, of the euro and Schengen areas and of the EU as a whole. It follows a period of intensive preparation and substantial efforts by Croatia to meet all […]
Read MoreEU wins in WTO appeal about Colombian anti-dumping duties on frozen fries
Arbitrators have in substance ruled in favour of the EU in the first WTO appeal dealt with under the ‘Multi-party interim appeal arbitration arrangement’, known as the ‘MPIA’. The final and binding award confirms that the anti-dumping duties imposed by Colombia on frozen fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands breach World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and […]
Read MoreCouncil approves reinforced rules on granting trade preferences to developing countries
EU member states’ ambassadors today agreed the Council’s negotiating mandate on the revised Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) regulation that grants trade preferences to developing countries. The new framework maintains the main features of the current system, but includes some improvements, such as stronger links to respect for human rights and the environment, and a better monitoring and transparency of […]
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