Uncategorized

President’s introductory remarks at the regular ECON hearing

Introductory statement by Mario Draghi, President of the ECB, Brussels, 23 September 2015 Mr Chairman, Honourable Members of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee, Ladies and gentlemen, During the summer break, our Union faced exceptional challenges. First, there was the long and complicated discussion on the new adjustment programme for Greece. And now, in an area very much outside the ECB’s competence, there is the challenge of harbouring a large number of refugees that had to leave their homes behind. Both these events –...

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Chapter News

COP 21: environment MEPs adopt mandate for Paris climate talks

The environment committee said on Wednesday that Parliament's delegation to the COP 21 climate talks in Paris must call for a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, a 40% energy-efficiency target and a binding 30% target for renewable energy. In a resolution adopted by 55 votes to 5, with 8 abstentions, the committee also says a share of the EU's carbon market allowances should be earmarked for climate finance and the aviation and shipping sectors should initiate measures...

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Chapter News

Celebrating the European Day of Languages: Why Learn Another Language?

Multilingualism is central to the European Union’s cultural heritage, and the EU protects its linguistic diversity, promotes language learning, and encourages its citizens to become multilingual. Multilingualism allows people to take full advantage of the opportunities offered across the EU, from employment to culture, from living or retiring in another EU country to undertaking multinational business ventures. Now in its 15th year, the European Day of Languages is celebrated on September 26 each year with numerous events highlighting the positive...

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Chapter News, Trade & TTIP Related

Malmström and Froman discussed upcoming TTIP negotiations

EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström today met with her American counterpart, US Trade Representative Michael Froman, in Washington DC. The purpose of the meeting was to take stock of the ongoing negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Both sides agreed on the need to accelerate discussions and achieve progress in all areas under negotiation. To give an additional boost to the talks, contacts between negotiating teams will be intensified. “We need to intensify the pace of our negotiations....

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Chapter News

EIB Investment Plan for Europe

The Investment Plan for Europe aims to revive investment in strategic projects around Europe to ensure that money reaches the real economy. This should unlock additional investment of at least EUR 315bn over the next three years. What is the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI)? EFSI is an initiative launched jointly by the EIB Group and the European Commission to help overcome the current investment gap in the EU by mobilising private financing for strategic investments. EFSI is a EUR 16...

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Member News

50 New Generation Study Abroad Teacher Grants Available

The IIE-AIFS Foundation Generation Study Abroad Enrichment Grants Program recognizes U.S. secondary-level teachers who have shown to be outstanding advocates for study abroad. The program is a professional development opportunity for teachers who have taken the Generation Study Abroad pledge to prepare their students for global citizenship and study abroad. Fifty enrichment grants of $1,000 each are available to teachers to conduct any learning activity in the United States or abroad that enhances their international outlook and global experience. About...

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Chapter News

ECB publishes enhanced statistics on loans to the euro area private sector adjusted for sales and securitisation

September 2015 The ECB has published new statistics on loans adjusted for sales and securitisation, providing more complete information on loans that were granted by euro area banks but are no longer recorded on their balance sheets. The enhanced method for adjusting loans for sales and securitisation enables a more comprehensive view of lending to the real economy originated by euro area banks, and improves comparability across countries. The flows and growth rates of bank loans to the euro area private sector,...

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Chapter News

The Euro and the Future of Europe

Speech by Vice-President Dombrovskis at the Humboldt University: | Berlin, 21 September 2015 President, distinguished guests, fellow Europeans, It is a privilege to be here at Humboldt University, where many eminent speakers have stood in the past and set out their vision on the future of Europe. And it is wonderful to be back here in Berlin. When I was here in April, I delivered a speech in the Axel Springer building. I remember looking out at the view where the Wall once stood...

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Chapter News

600 years after its first steps, globalization deserves a serious discussion

By João Vale de Almeida, incoming EU Ambassador to the United Nations In August 1415 , when the Portuguese kicked off the first wave of globalization by taking control of the north African  strategic port of Ceuta, they could hardly have imagined the long-term nature and extent of the process they were launching. A small country on the western most corner of Europe, Portugal had the merit of creating the first global network of trade routes and maritime outposts and of...

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Chapter News

Commission’s 2015 EU Consumer Scoreboard shows untapped e-commerce potential

The 2015 edition of the Consumer Scoreboard shows that cross-border e-commerce is still an under-developed market in Europe: 61% of consumers feel more confident buying online from their own country (61%) than from another EU country (38%). The 2015 edition of the Consumer Scoreboard shows that cross-border e-commerce is still an under-developed market in Europe: 61% of consumers feel more confident buying online from their own country than from another EU country (38%). The scoreboard which focuses on The Digital...

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