Chapter News

Commission reports on employment and social situation in the EU: record high employment rates and signs of improvement for the youth

The EU remains on a firm path towards more employment and growth according to the latest Quarterly Review on Employment and Social Developments in Europe. Employment in the EU continues to grow at a consistent pace and in almost all Member States. Employment increased by 1.5 % in the EU and 1.6% in the euro area in the second quarter of 2017 compared tothe same period in 2016.There are 3.5 million and 2.4 million more people employed in the EU...

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Member News

New EU VAT system and quick fixes for cross-border trade

By Loyens & Loeff Today, 4 October 2017, the EU Commission set out a process to come to a new VAT regime for cross-border trade expected to enter into force in 2022. The cornerstone of the proposal is the ‘destination’-principle  according to which  transactions will be taxed with VAT in the Member State of destination rather than in the Member State of the supplier or origin. To improve the functioning of the current system, the Commission has announced some ‘quick fixes’...

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Member News

US Delegation visits the Basque Country as part of the “Learning Tour 2017” initiative

By the Delegation of the Basque Country to the United States The Learning Tour 2017 initiative, promoted by the Basque Government, aimed to showcase the most outstanding and remarkable aspects of the Basque Country and to promote the Basque sustainable development model. The delegation was made up of a group of seven US institutional, economic, and academic representatives, who were accompanied by the General Secretary for External Action, Marian Elorza, the Director of Foreign Affairs, Leyre Madariaga, and the Basque Country's Delegate to...

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Member News

European Court of Justice to Rule on Validity of Standard Contractual Clauses

By Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati On October 3, 2017, the High Court of Ireland issued its decision in Data Protection Commissioner vs Facebook and Schrems1 concerning the validity of the EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)—a mechanism used by a very large number of companies to transfer personal data outside of the European Union. The Irish High Court referred this question to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU). This is the second time that the CJEU has been...

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Chapter News

European Commission proposes far-reaching reform of the EU VAT system

The European Commission has today launched plans for the biggest reform of EU VAT rules in a quarter of a century. The reboot would improve and modernise the system for governments and businesses alike. Overall, over €150 billion of VAT is lost every year, meaning that Member States miss out on revenue that could be used for schools, roads and healthcare. Of this, around €50 billion - or €100 per EU citizen each year - is estimated to be due to...

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Chapter News

Starting A Business Just Got Easier With IN2NYC

Starting A Business Just Got Easier. Applications are now being accepted for the International Innovators Initiative (IN2NYC), a City-led program that helps international entrepreneurs expand or relocate their businesses to New York City. IN2NYC was designed for international entrepreneurs who exemplify the type of innovation that keeps New York City a competitive destination for businesses across industries. The initiative helps entrepreneurs who have started a business overseas and would like to relocate or expand their business to the United States. International...

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Member News

NautaDutilh opens Luxembourg Desk in New York

By Nauta Dutilh Corporate News NautaDutilh expands its New York office with a Luxembourg desk headed by Jad Nader, who recently has been named local partner. The firm's New York satellite team advises US clients on Dutch, Belgian, and Luxembourg law, particularly in regard to cross-border banking and finance and corporate M&A transactions. The arrival of a Luxembourg partner will increase the firm's capacity to handle Dutch and Luxembourg matters locally. "We are excited to be able to offer our US...

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Chapter News

Initiative for Europe Speech by M. Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic

By Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. Ministers, Members of Parliament, Prefect, Dean, University Presidents Ladies and gentlemen, I have come to talk to you about Europe. “Again”, some might exclaim. People will just have to get used to it, because I will not stop talking about it. Because this is where our battle lies, our history, our identity, our horizon, what protects us and gives us a future. “Already? Is it really necessary? ”, others might say. Because for them it is never...

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Brexit News, Chapter News

Theresa May’s speech: a new era of cooperation and partnership between the UK and the EU

By Theresa May. (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)  It’s good to be here in this great city of Florence today at a critical time in the evolution of the relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union. It was here, more than anywhere else, that the Renaissance began – a period of history that inspired centuries of creativity and critical thought across our continent and which in many ways defined what it meant to be European....

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Member News

New Guidance Imposes Finding of Misrepresentation for Conduct Inconsistent With Visa Within 90 Days of Entry

By Maria Fernanda Gandarez (New York City), Matthew Kolodziej (New York City), Rajula Sati (New York City) | Ogletree Deakins The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued new guidance establishing a presumption of willful misrepresentation when a foreign national, within 90 days of entry into the United States, engages in conduct that violates the terms of his or her nonimmigrant status. The individual will be presumed to have misrepresented his or her intent to comply with the terms of his...

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