To ensure a level playing field for all companies operating in the internal market, member states agreed a negotiating mandate for the regulation on foreign subsidies distorting the internal market. The regulation aims to address the distortions created by subsidies granted by non-EU countries to companies operating in the EU’s single market. It establishes a comprehensive framework for the […]
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Ministers welcome assessment of national plans for Bulgaria and Sweden
Main results ECOFIN – 3 May 2022 Ministers focused on the economic recovery in Europe. They exchanged views on the Council implementing decisions on the approval of national recovery and resilience plans for Bulgaria and Sweden. In order to formally adopt the decisions, the written procedure will be started shortly after the informal meeting held today. At the […]
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Commission receives Spain’s second payment request for €12 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility
On 30 April 2022, the Commission received Spain’s second payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM), for an amount of EUR 12 billion of financial support (net of pre-financing). The overall recovery and resilience plan for Spain amounts to €69.5 billion in grants. The RRF payments are results-based and depend on Spain implementing […]
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Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Apple over practices regarding Apple Pay
The European Commission has informed Apple of its preliminary view that it abused its dominant position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices. By limiting access to a standard technology used for contactless payments with mobile devices in stores (‘Near-Field Communication (NFC)’ or ‘tap and go’), Apple restricts competition in the mobile wallets market on […]
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Conclusions of the Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings – April 4 and 5
Eurogroup, 4 April 2022 The euro area impact from the war in Ukraine in the short- and medium term Ministers discussed economic developments resulting from the Russian military aggression in Ukraine. Monitoring and assessing these fast-moving developments is crucial for Eurogroup’s coordination of economic policies and promotion of the conditions for stronger economic growth. Trade-offs […]
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Benefits and dangers of cryptocurrencies from new EU legislation
Why and how should the EU build crypto-regulation to foster innovation and protect users? The use of crypto-assets and the technology behind them has provdn to be both immensely promising and problematic. The EU wants to help boost the development of these technologies and their use in the EU, while protecting users. Risks of crypto-assets […]
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Circular economy: Commission proposes new consumer rights and ban on greenwashing
The Commission proposes to update EU consumer protection rules to empower consumers for the green transition. The updated rules will ensure that consumers can make informed and environmentally friendly choices when buying products. Consumers will have the right to know how long a product is intended to last and, where appropriate, how it can be […]
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MEPs want more effective measures to respond to rising prices
MEPs urged the EU to better counteract Russia’s energy dependence and quickly secure cleaner and more affordable energy for all. In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting rise in energy prices, MEPs in a plenary debate on March 24 put questions to the Council and the Commission on the Union’s […]
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Options to mitigate high energy prices
Following up rapidly on the REPowerEU Communication and the Versailles Declaration, the Commission has set out ideas last 23rd March, for collective European action to address the root causes of the problem in the gas market and ensure security of supply at reasonable prices for next winter and beyond. Leaders will continue the discussion on […]
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