In the modern global economy, trade is essential for growth, jobs and competiveness, and the EU is committed to an open rules-based trading system. Exports now support almost one in seven manufacturing jobs in Europe (i.e. more than 30 million jobs – two thirds more than 15 years ago), while imports are a major source of productivity gains and allow consumers to benefit  from  access  to more  choice  and  lower  cost  products.  Production  in  the  EU  is dependent not...

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What is this Board and what will it do? Following the Five Presidents' Report on completing Europe's Economic and Monetary Union, the Commission decided last October to set up a European Fiscal Board as an independent advisory board on fiscal matters. It will advise the Commission on fiscal matters. More specifically, the board's role is to evaluate the implementation of EU fiscal rules, to advise the Commission on the fiscal stance appropriate for the euro area as a whole and to...

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The Commission urged Member States to support proposals to strengthen European defences against unfair trade. The College also discussed the latest developments regarding the EU-Canada trade agreement (CETA) and appointed the members of the European Fiscal Board. Trade Defence Instruments The Commission today called upon Member States to support its efforts to provide the European Union with updated, strengthened and more robust trade defence instruments. Ahead of the European Council (20-21 October), the Commission details its arguments in a Communication"Towards a...

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Commission proposed first research partnership of its kind in the Mediterranean Area to develop much-needed novel solutions for sustainable water management and food production. Today the Commission has presented a proposal for a Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area - PRIMA. The first partnership of its kind in the Mediterranean basin aims to develop much-needed novel solutions for sustainable water management and food production. Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: "EU research and innovation is...

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The European Union welcomes the agreement today in Kigali, Rwanda, on a global phase-down of climate-warming hydrofluorocarbon gases (HFCs). These manmade substances which are used mainly in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, have  a global warming effect up to 15,000 times greater than carbon dioxide and are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. Today's agreement represents a significant step forward in implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change, which will legally enter into force next month. EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: "This is a huge win for the climate. We have taken the first...

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Young European could be receiving a free InterRail pass to discover Europe by rail once they turn 18.The proposal received a warm welcome in the Parliament, but what is InterRail exactly? Check out our infographic for some basic facts about the pass and rail travel in Europe. On 4 October MEPs discussed and supported the idea of offering free InterRail passes to young people when they turn 18. This would help them to experience Europe’s diversity, better understand each other...

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In 2015, the European Capitals of Culture celebrated their 30th anniversary. Discover the brochureillustrating successful projects in recent European Capitals of Culture and the factsheet on the history and highlights of the initiative over the years. WHAT IS IT? The European Capitals of Culture initiative is designed to: Highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe Celebrate the cultural features Europeans share Increase European citizens' sense of belonging to a common cultural area Foster the contribution of culture to the development of cities In addition to...

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The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has said that he is counting on regions and cities to help the European Union listen to and address citizens' real concerns. His comment came in a meeting on 11 October with political leaders of the European Committee of the Regions. The meeting between President Tusk, and the leaders of the CoR – its President and First Vice-President and the presidents of the CoR's five political groups – came a week before...

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People and organisations from across Europe came to Parliament in Brussels on 12 October for the European Citizens’ Prize award ceremony that sought to highlight their contributions to Europe. Parliament Vice-President Sylvie Guillaume, who chairs the jury, said: “Europe is going through particularly hard times and it sometimes seems to be disintegrating before our eyes. Yet European citizens show us that Europe is alive and they put European values into practice every day." A total of 50 individuals and associations...

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