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 […]
First year of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement shows growth in EU exports
1 February 2020 marks the first anniversary of the entry into force of the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). In the first ten months following the implementation of the agreement, EU exports to Japan went up by 6.6% compared to the same period the year before. This outperforms the growth in the past three years, which averaged […]
ECB welcomes ratification of agreement on orderly UK withdrawal from European Union
ECB regrets United Kingdom leaving European Union Central bank prepared for all contingencies, and monitoring financial market developments Banks now need to press ahead with implementation of Brexit plans The European Central Bank (ECB) expressed regret that the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union. However, the ECB welcomes the ratification of the agreement on […]
ECB launches review of its monetary policy strategy
The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) today launched a review of its monetary policy strategy. The monetary policy strategy was adopted in 1998 and some of its elements were clarified in 2003. Since 2003 the euro area and the world economy have been undergoing profound structural changes. Declining trend growth, on the […]