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 […]
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EU 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 […]
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Council 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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EIB lends €120 million to Cosentino Group to support its sustainability and circular economy strategy
The EIB will provide a €120 million loan to Cosentino Group, a global leader in the design and manufacture of innovative and sustainable surfaces. With the support of the EU bank, the multinational company will finance its innovation and sustainability strategy, focusing on key areas such as the circular economy, decarbonisation, energy efficiency and the use […]
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Antitrust: Commission accepts commitments by Amazon
The European Commission has made commitments offered by Amazon legally binding under EU antitrust rules. Amazon’s commitments address the Commission’s competition concerns over Amazon’s use of non-public marketplace seller data and over a possible bias in granting to sellers access to its Buy Box and its Prime programme. The Commission’s concerns In July 2019, the […]
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REACT-EU: €1.8 billion to boost employment, healthcare and social inclusion in Spain
Spain will receive an additional €1.8 billion under REACT-EU to boost employment, healthcare and social inclusion. The funds will help maintain employment through short-time work measures, and support workers and jobseekers in acquiring the skills needed for a more digital and green economy. The funds will also reinforce the healthcare sector and support Spain’s economic recovery from […]
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Commission allocates €186 million to promote sustainable and high quality EU agri-food products
The European Commission will allocate €185.9 million in 2023 to fund promotion activities for sustainable and high quality EU agri-food products in the EU and worldwide. The 2023 promotion policy work programme adopted by the Commission contributes to the realisation of the political priorities of the European Commission for 2019-2024, in particular the Farm to Fork strategy. The promotion […]
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EU-US Trade and Technology Council addresses common challenges and responds to global crises
The EU and the US held the third Ministerial Meeting of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in College Park, Maryland. The TTC is a key forum to deepen transatlantic cooperation to facilitate trade and develop global standards on technology and security. Geostrategic challenges, including Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, have reinforced the […]
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Commission authorizes acquisition of Bluevia’s joint control by Telefonica, Predica and Vauban
Under the European Merger Regulation, the European Commission has authorized the acquisition of joint control of Bluevia Fibra S.L. (“Bluevia”) by Telefónica S.A., both based in Spain, Prévoyance Dialogue du Crédit Agricole S.A. (“Predica”) and Vauban Infrastructure Partners S.C.A. (“Vauban”), both based in France. Bluevia will operate and operate a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network in rural […]
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