Today, the Commission presents an Action Plan on Synergies between civil, defence and space industries to further enhance Europe’s technological edge and support its industrial base. The Action Plan is devised against the background that, for the first time, EU funding presents opportunities to reinforce European innovation by exploring and exploiting the disruptive potential of […]
EU cybersecurity agency has to develop a certification scheme on 5G networks, Commission request
The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity welcomes the European Commission request for a candidate cybersecurity certification scheme on 5G networks. Following a request by the European Commission, ENISA will proceed with the preparation of the new candidate cybersecurity certification scheme on 5G. This step follows on from the EU toolbox for 5G security and it […]
Final Stage Of Banking Union At Risk Says Workmann-Kool
“The final dossier of the Banking Union might be at risk. We demand a more efficient procedure for failing banks”, stated Corien Wortmann-Kool, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group and Shadow Rapporteur on the Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM) dossier. Wortmann-Kool expressed her disappointment on Thursday morning following the start of trilogue negotiations with the Council and […]
Reding ‘Re-Orients’ Justice Policies, Fair Trial for All Demanded
The European Commission has presented a package of proposals to further strengthen procedural safeguards for citizens in criminal proceedings. The aim is to guarantee fair trial rights for all citizens, wherever they are in the European Union. The proposals aim to guarantee the respect for the presumption of innocence and the right to be present […]
Europe’s Budget, All Wrapped Up. Now, Just The Card To Sign…
After months of complex negotiations, Parliament gave its blessing to the EU’s long-term budget for 2014-2020 on Tuesday. All the conditions set out in its July resolution – which followed a political agreement at the highest levels between Parliament, the Irish Presidency and the Commission were met. The overall budget for the next seven years […]
1-in-3 of Europe’s SMEs Not Getting Finance They Need
One third of SMEs didn’t get the full financing they had planned for during 2013, and 15% saw access to finance as a significant problem for their companies. Europe’s companies believe that bank financing conditions worsened during 2013, with respect to interest rates, collateral and required guarantees. Despite this sorry tale, 85% of all loans […]
‘Spain! Get With The Programme!’ Says Commission
Olli Rehn sent Spain to the naughty step, again. For the first time, the European Commission has issued opinions on euro area Member States’ Draft Budgetary Plans, which from this year must be submitted to the Commission by 15 October, at the same time as draft budgets are sent to national parliaments. Presenting a major package […]
Rehn Cashes In On Luck Of The Irish
Speaking after the Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, Wednesday, Vice-President, Olli Rehn, was more than upbeat, congratulating: “Ireland and Spain, the Irish and the Spanish people, for the decisions of today. Ireland’s decision to exit the programme without a precautionary credit facility is very important. I know the Irish Government reflected very carefully on this matter. […]
Dismal Jobs Figures Compound EU Woes, Lagging USA
The Euro Area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 12.2% in September 2013, stable compared with August. The EU28 unemployment rate was 11.0%, also stable compared with August. In both zones, rates have risen compared with September 2012, when they were 11.6% and 10.6% respectively. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In September 2013, 26.872 […]
Jose Montesquieu Barroso Wants Business Friendly Public Sector – “Useless laws weaken the necessary ones”
Attending, what the Commission termed a ‘business-friendly’ conference on Public Administration, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said: “Given the size of the total [EU] procurement market… each 5% saved could return around €100 billion to the public purse.” Barroso added: “…just four days ago, the European Council highlighted once again the importance of the […]