Commission sets out EU's economic and social priorities for 2019, presents Opinions on Draft Budgetary Plans and confirms the existence of particularly serious non-compliance with the Stability and Growth Pact in the case of Italy; Greece is integrated into the European Semester for the first time. The 2019 European Semester cycle of economic and social policy coordination begins against a backdrop of sustained but less dynamic growth in a climate of high uncertainty. A lot has been achieved since 2014...

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Foreign ministers discussed on November 19 the most pressing issues on the international agenda. They highlighted their continued full support for the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), following the entry into force of US sanctions on 5 November 2018. They noted that the agreement continues to be implemented by Iran, as certified for the 13th time by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the same time, they expressed their full solidarity to those member states which witnessed unacceptable behaviour from Iranian...

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Growth in the euro area is forecast to ease from a 10-year high of 2.4% in 2017 to 2.1% in 2018 before moderating further to 1.9% in 2019 and 1.7% in 2020. The same pattern is expected for the EU27, with growth forecast at 2.2% in 2018, 2.0% in 2019 and 1.9% in 2020. Autumn 2018 Economic Forecast: sustained but less dynamic growth amid high uncertainty Brussels, 8 November 2018 Growth in the euro area is forecast to ease from a 10-year...

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The European Commission is awarding Athens the title of the European Capital of Innovation 2018 with a €1 million prize Athens is the winner of this year's European Capital of Innovation Awards, funded by the EU research and innovation programme Horizon 2020. The runner-up cities - Aarhus (Denmark), Hamburg (Germany), Leuven (Belgium), Toulouse (France), and Umeå (Sweden) - received €100,000 each. The prize money will be used to scale up local innovation activities and collaborate with other cities. The City of...

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The European Commission has approved an investment package of €243 million from the EU budget for projects under the LIFE programme supporting nature, the environment and quality of life in Europe's transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon future. The EU funding under the LIFE programme for the Environment and Climate Action will mobilise additional investments leading to a total of €430.7 million going towards 142 new projects. With numerous trans-national projects funded, LIFE will have an impact in every EU Member State. Funds of...

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