The European Commission has approved unconditionally, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of joint control over Prosegur Alarmas by Telefónica and Prosegur. The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns in the European Economic Area. Under the proposed acquisition, Telefónica will acquire half of the shares of Prosegur Alarmas from […]
Birth rate of enterprises in the EU
In 2017, the number of new enterprise births in the European Union (EU) as a proportion of the total number of active EU enterprises stood at 9.3 %. This rate remained stable compared with 2016 (9.3%), but it was slightly higher than the rate recorded in 2012 (9.0%). The employment generated by these newly created […]
More than money: the long-term EU budget is a tool for Europe’s future
MEPs underlined that Parliament will only give its consent to a budget that meets the European Union’s ambitions, in a debate on EU funding for 2021-2027. Talking about the budget means talking about the EU’s future, MEPs said in a key plenary debate with Nikolina Brnjac, Croatian State Secretary for Foreign and European Affairs, representing […]
Winter 2020 Economic Forecast: Offsetting forces confirm subdued growth
The Winter 2020 Economic Forecast published projects that the European economy is set to continue on a path of steady, moderate growth. The euro area has now enjoyed its longest period of sustained growth since the euro was introduced in 1999. The forecast projects that euro area gross domestic product (GDP) growth will remain stable […]
Special European Council, 20 February 2020
Agenda highlights EU heads of state or government will discuss the EU’s long-term budget for 2021-2027 during a special meeting of the European Council on 20 February 2020. In his invitation letter, the President of the European Council said: “The time has come to reach an agreement at our level on the multiannual financial framework.” […]
EIOPA identifies supervisory technology, pensions and cyber underwriting as new supervisory convergence priorities
The Supervisory Convergence Plan for 2020 sets out priorities and activities for the coming year, building on previous years’ work while incorporating new priorities to reflect new trends and emerging risks. Activities fall under three building blocks of supervisory onvergence: Practical implementation of the common supervisory culture and further development of supervisory tools; Risks to the internal […]
EIB Group support for projects in Slovakia stood at €251m in 2019
EIB lending was €204m and EIF guarantee commitments reached €47m In total, some 2 300 small businesses benefited from EIB Group operations supporting some 24 200 jobs in Slovakia in 2019 The European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group), comprising the European Investment Bank (EIB) and its subsidiary, the European Investment Fund (EIF), financed loans and guarantees in […]
Meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 18 February
Agenda highlights: EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions The Council will adopt a revised list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes in the framework of new conclusions on this matter. As part of the EU’s external strategy for taxation, the list contributes to ongoing efforts to prevent tax avoidance and promote tax good governance worldwide. Economic governance review The Commission will present […]
EU-Vietnam trade deal: interview with MEP Geert Bourgeois
Geert Bourgeois, the MEP in charge of steering the agreements through Parliament, explains the economic, social and environmental benefits. Overview of what changes the EU-Vietnam trade deal would bring about The aim is to eliminate 99% of tariffs within seven years. This should result in €15 billion a year in additional exports from Vietnam to […]