WTO reform and preparations for the 12th WTO ministerial conference Ministers discussed preparations for the 12th World Trade Organization ministerial conference (CM12), which will take place in Geneva from 12 to 15 June 2022 against the backdrop of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ministers expressed broad support for the Commission’s suggested line of action for the 12th ministerial conference, in particular […]
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Commission approves 10 billion aid scheme for Spain
The European Commission has approved an up to €10 billion Spanish scheme (“National Guarantee Scheme”) to support self-employed and companies across sectors in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022, based on Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on […]
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Croatia prepares for euro adoption
As of 1 June, the European Commission has concluded that Croatia is ready to adopt the euro on 1 January 2023, bringing the number of euro area Member States to twenty. The conclusion is set out in the 2022 Convergence Report, which assesses the progress that Bulgaria, Czechia, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Sweden have […]
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The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and its reform in brief
The EU’s emissions trading system (ETS) aims to reduce the industry’s carbon emissions. Discover how it works and why a reform is needed. What is the EU’s emissions trading system all about? Although the EU is the world’s third largest CO2 emitter, it also pursues the most ambitious climate target: to cut emissions substantially by […]
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23 May 2022: Macroeconomic dialogue with the social partners
The Council presidency, the European Central Bank and the European Commission met with European social partners on 23 May 2022 to discuss recent developments of the economic situation, as well as the consequences of the war in Ukraine on the European labour market, especially as regards the labour market integration of Ukrainian refugees. While the […]
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EU guidelines on tax policy
In its 2022 European Semester spring package, the European Commission has provided Member States with support and guidance on tax policy. Fiscal policy guidance The activation of the general escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact in March 2020 allowed Member States to react swiftly and adopt emergency measures to mitigate the economic and […]
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European Semester Spring Package 2022
The European Commission’s 2022 European Semester Spring Package provides Member States with support and guidance two years on from the first impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the midst of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The Spring 2022 Economic Forecast projects the EU economy to continue growing in 2022 and 2023. However, while the EU economy […]
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Provisional agreement reached to make international trade easier
The Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a single window for customs which sets the appropriate conditions for digital collaboration between customs and partner competent authorities. The aim is to make international trade easier, shorten customs clearance times and reduce the risk of fraud. It will also help reduce the administrative burden […]
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Antitrust: Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the fashion sector
On 17 May the European Commission has started unannounced inspections at the premises of companies active in the fashion industry in several Member States. In parallel, the Commission has sent out formal requests for information to several companies active in the fashion sector. The Commission has concerns that the companies concerned may have violated Article 101 of […]
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