On 23 April 2020, Leaders endorsed the agreement by the Eurogroup in inclusive format of 9 April 2020 on the three important safety nets for workers, businesses and sovereigns, amounting to a package worth EUR 540 billion, and called for their operationalisation by the 1st June 2020. The Leaders also agreed to work towards establishing […]
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Video conference on the Eurogroup, 8 May 2020
The Eurogroup is an informal body where the ministers of the euro area member states discuss matters relating to their shared responsibilities related to the euro. Tasks Its main task is to ensure close coordination of economic policies among the euro area member states. It also aims to promote conditions for stronger economic growth. The Eurogroup is also responsible for preparing the Euro Summit meetings […]
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Can the coronavirus pandemic improve our schools?
Since the Covid-19 virus started spreading, European citizens, like other people around the globe, have been put to the test in all aspects of life – health and well-being, livelihood and occupations, family ties and social relationships. While some countries are now starting the gradual lifting of confinement restrictions, life as we knew it before […]
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IMF on Dutch Economy: Connectedness of the Dutch Economy Leads to Lower GDP Growth Forecast
The Netherlands has one of the most internationally integrated economies in the world. This interdependence makes the country especially vulnerable to a global crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparing the Netherlands with other economies The Dutch economy is one of the most internationally integrated in the world. Dutch exports of goods and services are very […]
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Spring 2020 Economic Forecast: A deep and uneven recession, an uncertain recovery
The coronavirus pandemic represents a major shock for the global and EU economies, with very severe socio-economic consequences. Despite the swift and comprehensive policy response at both EU and national level, the EU economy will experience a recession of historic proportions this year. The Spring 2020 Economic Forecast projects that the euro area economy will […]
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Schengen, migration, asylum and security in times of COVID-19
MEPs will quiz Commissioner Johansson on the future of the border-free Schengen zone, common migration and asylum policy and security in the context of the pandemic. In a debate in the Civil Liberties Committee on Thursday afternoon, MEPs will try to clarify how the Commission plans to ensure that temporary controls on the internal borders, reintroduced […]
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Impact of COVID-19 on the Erasmus programme and the EU Solidarity Corps
How has the pandemic affected the 170,000 students participating in the Erasmus+ programme or the European Solidarity Corps, and how can the EU help? Education has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The closure of universities and travel restrictions complicate the situation for participants in cross-border mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ student exchanges and […]
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Commission approves second Spanish “umbrella” scheme to support economy in coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved the second Spanish “umbrella” scheme to support the Spanish economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework adopted by the Commission on 19 March 2020, as amended on 3 April 2020. Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition […]
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Regulatory flexibility to ensure availability of veterinary medicines during COVID-19
The European Commission, EMA and the Coordination Group for Mutual Recognition and Decentralised Procedure – Veterinary (CMDv) have issued guidance on adaptations to the regulatory framework to companies that develop, manufacture and distribute veterinary medicines in order to address some of the constraints posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the jointly developed question-and-answer (Q&A) document, regulatory rules […]
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