Chapter News

21 May
Chapter News, News

Circular Economy: Commission welcomes Council final adoption of new rules on single-use plastics to reduce marine plastic litter

Brussels, 21 May 2019 The Council of the EU today adopted the ambitious measures proposed by the Commission to tackle marine litter coming from the 10 single-use plastic products most often found on European beaches, as well as abandoned fishing gear and oxo-degradable plastics. The rules on Single-Use Plastics items and fishing gear envisage different measures to apply to different product and place the EU at the forefront of the global fight against marine litter. Where alternatives are easily available and...

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20 May
Chapter News, News, Trade & TTIP Related, Uncategorized

Extra-EU trade in goods by invoicing currency – Euro was the most used currency for EU exports and US dollars for EU imports in 2018

Brussels, 20 May 2019 Goods imported and exported by the European Union (EU) can be invoiced in a range of currencies. In 2018, the euro was the most used currency for EU exports with a share of 48% of the total value of goods exported to non-EU countries and a share of 35% invoiced in US dollars. The picture was reversed for imports, with 56% of imports paid in US dollars and around a third in euros (35%). For total trade...

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15 May
Chapter News, News

Banking Union: Council adopts measures to reduce risk in the banking system

Press Release, 6/14/2019 The EU is putting in place a new framework which will strengthen the banking union and reduce risks in the financial system. The Council today adopted a comprehensive legislative package which will reduce risks in the banking sector and further reinforce banks' ability to withstand potential shocks. The package contains amendments to the capital requirement legislation (regulation 575/2013 and directive 2013/36/EU) which reinforce the capital and liquidity positions of banks, and strengthens the framework for the recovery and...

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15 May
Chapter News, News, Uncategorized

Capital markets union: Council adopts updated rules for financial derivative products and clearing

Press Release, 5/14/2019 The EU will soon have in place simplified rules for non-financial counterparties, small financial counterparties and pension funds using financial derivative products. The Council today adopted a regulation improving the existing regulatory framework applying to the over-the-counter (OTC) derivative market. The European Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR), adopted in 2012, forms part of the European regulatory response to the financial crisis, and specifically addresses the problems encountered in the functioning of the OTC derivatives market during the 2007-2008 financial crisis. The...

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13 May
Chapter News, News

Digital Single Market: Cheaper calls to other EU countries as of 15 May

Brussels, 13 May 2019 As of 15 May, a new maximum price will apply for all international calls and SMS within the EU. As a result, consumers calling from their country to another EU country will pay a maximum amount of 19 cents per minute (+VAT) and 6 cents per SMS message (+VAT). Following the end of roaming charges in June 2017, these new price caps for international calls and SMS in the EU are part of the EU-wide overhaul of...

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13 May
Chapter News, News

Human rights and democracy in the world: 2018 EU annual report adopted

On 13 May 2019, the Council adopted the EU annual report on human rights and democracy in the world for 2018. The report noted that in 2018 the EU remained at the forefront of the protection and promotion of human rights in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. The EU engaged in activities across the globe in line with the objectives set out in the EU action plan on human rights and democracy (2015-2019). The Council recognised that in a volatile...

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07 May
Chapter News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

Spring 2019 Economic Forecast: Growth continues at a more moderate pace

Brussels, 7 May 2019 The European economy is forecast to continue expanding for the seventh year in a row in 2019, with real GDP expected to grow in all EU Member States. As global uncertainties continue to weigh, domestic dynamics are set to support the European economy. Growth is expected to gather pace again next year. The recent slowdown in global growth and world trade, together with high uncertainty about trade policies, is weighing on prospects for Gross Domestic Product (GDP)...

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02 May
Chapter News, News

Declaration by the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2019

On World Press Freedom Day we celebrate the essential role of a free press not only as a conveyer of reliable and accurate news, but as a pillar of democracy. The quality of democratic processes is linked to the state of freedom of expression as well as media freedom and pluralism. There is no democracy without a truly free press. While bearing the great responsibility to guarantee checked and correct news to the public, free, diverse and independent media are...

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01 May
Chapter News, News

Luis de Guindos on challenges for bank profitability

Speech by Luis de Guindos, Vice-President of the ECB, 1 May 2019 Introduction Sustained economic expansion over the past six years and greater banking sector resilience have supported financial stability within the euro area. But the recent softening of growth prospects heightens risks. The financial stability environment has become more challenging than it was a year ago. The risks that have been with us for some time now – a possible disorderly increase in risk premia, debt sustainability concerns, low bank profitability...

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01 May
Chapter News, News, Uncategorized

Strength in unity: Commission makes recommendations for the EU’s next strategic agenda 2019-2024

Brussels, 30 April 2019 Ahead of the meeting of EU27 leaders in Sibiu, Romania, on 9 May 2019, the European Commission is today setting out a number of policy recommendations for how Europe can shape its future in an increasingly multipolar and uncertain world. With the European Parliament elections on 23-26 May 2019 and the change of political leadership of the EU institutions that will follow, the time has come for new policy orientations and new priorities. As both the priorities...

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