Chapter News

Chapter News

Congressman Gregory Meeks on EU-US relations: “The relationship with the EU is probably the most important one that we have, by any measure”

Congressman Gregory Meeks on EU-US relations under the 116th Congress. Two weeks after the inauguration of the 116th US Congress and a day after the reception celebrating the relaunch of the bipartisan Congressional European Union Caucus, Senior Communications Officer Martin Caudron sat down with Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) to talk about the state of the EU-US relationship, the priorities of the EU Caucus, and the nature of his dialogue with EU counterparts. Listen the interview HERE Compliments of the E.U. Delegation...

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Brexit News, Chapter News

The problem is Brexit itself, not the backstop.

BY JOHN BRUTON  Brexit, of its nature, means hard barriers between the UK and the EU. This is because it means the UK having different standards, and, sooner or later, different trade arrangements and tariffs than the EU.   Whether these barriers are at the geographic boundary, or a few miles away, makes little difference. These new barriers will bring delays, extra bureaucracy, and eventually bankruptcies, in their wake.This is what Brexit means, and was always going to mean. Taking back control, by its...

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Chapter News

World Economic Forum recognises European Commission as champion in the circular economy

Yesterday evening in Davos, the European Commission was awarded the 2019 Circular Economy prize by the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders as recognition of the work done to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy that protects the environment and reduces greenhouse gas emissions while delivering opportunities for jobs, growth and investment. In 2015, the Commission established a unique comprehensive strategy, the Circular Economy Package, aiming to close the resource loop by introducing measures covering the whole lifecycle of products...

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Chapter News, Trade & TTIP Related

EU-U.S. Trade Talks: European Commission presents draft negotiating mandates

The European Commission has today adopted proposals for negotiating directives for its trade talks with the United States: one on conformity assessment, and one on the elimination of tariffs for industrial goods. These negotiations follow the Joint Statement agreed by President Juncker and President Trump last July.  As part of its commitment to transparency, the European Commission is publishing the draft mandates at the same time as submitting them to the EU Member States. The Member States must now give their green light...

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Brexit News, Chapter News

Brexit: EU officials ask the UK to clarify its position

In the debate following the UK House of Commons’ meaningful vote, MEPs underlined that Europeans will remain united and that citizens’ rights are still the EP’s priority. Following the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration in the UK’s House of Commons yesterday evening, it is now up to the UK government and UK Parliament to let the EU know where a positive majority lies and what type of relationship they want with the European Union, MEPs stressed. The...

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Brexit News, Chapter News

EU tax policy and Competition; EU-US trade relations and update on Brexit

Commission launches debate on a gradual transition to more efficient and democratic decision-making in EU tax policy EU tax policy The Commission has today kick-started the debate on reforming decision-making for areas of EU taxation policy, which currently requires unanimity among Member States. This unanimity often cannot be achieved on crucial tax initiatives, and can lead to costly delays on sub-optimal policies. The Communication published today suggests a roadmap for a progressive and targeted transition to qualified majority voting under the ordinary legislative...

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Brexit News, Chapter News

Speeches by First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier on behalf of President Juncker at the Plenary session of the European Parliament on the occasion of the debate on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU

Strasbourg, 16 January 2019 By Frans Timmermans & Michel Barnier First Vice-President Frans Timmermans Thank you very much, Mr President. The vote last night in the House of Commons was crystal clear. The Withdrawal Agreement has been rejected. And now we will have to look for a way forward. The Commission regrets the rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement, as the representative of the Council said, because we do believe this was the best possible outcome. In a situation where two parties were negotiating, looking after their...

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Chapter News

Coming up in 2019: European elections, EU budget, Brexit

Elections, future of Europe, Brexit... the New Year starts with a busy agenda for the European Parliament. European elections  The next European elections - and the first after Brexit - will take place on 23-26 May. People in the EU will elect 705 MEPsto form the new European Parliament, which will then elect a new  president of the European Commission. Look out for debates between the lead candidates for the post. Future of Europe MEPs will continue to discuss the future of Europe with EU leaders. Spanish Prime Minister...

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Chapter News, Trade & TTIP Related

EU Trade Commissioner Visits Washington DC. Read her Speech About the Current International Trade Landscape.

This week (January 7th-13th), EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström spoke at the Atlantic Council in Washington D.C. about the current international trade landscape. In her speech, Malmström pointed out the importance of reforming the WTO, in order to maintain the effectiveness of the system. “International trade without the WTO would be anarchic. Countries would be bullied, companies would fall victim to unfair practices – there would be no reliability, no stability. So we need to repair and stand up for the...

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Chapter News

Joint Statement on Trilateral Meeting of the Trade Ministers of the United States, Japan, and the European Union

Mr Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Ambassador Robert E. Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative, and Ms Cecilia Malmström, Commissioner for Trade, met in New York on 25 September 2018. Statement on Concerns with Non-Market-Oriented Policies and Practices of Third Countries The Ministers reiterated their concern with and confirmed their shared objective to address non market-oriented policies and practices of third countries that lead to severe overcapacity, create unfair competitive conditions for their workers and businesses, hinder...

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