On 17 October Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem published an op-ed article in a Dutch newspaper entitled "Why I disagree with Joseph Stiglitz". The article discusses the new book by Nobel Prize-winner Joseph Stiglitz "The Euro: How a Common Currency Threatens the Future of Europe". Dijsselbloem also joined Stiglitz on stage for a debate and Q&A session with the audience about this book on 30 September, at the John Adams Institute in Amsterdam. ________________________ Why I disagree with Joseph Stiglitz Professor and Nobel...

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The UK's decision to leave the Union will already affect the EU's budget for next year. "There has already been an unforeseeable situation and now we have to deal with this problem," said Jens Geier, the MEP who will negotiate on behalf of the Parliament regarding the bulk of the EU's budget for 2017. MEPs will vote on Parliament's position in plenary on 26 October. We talked to the German S&D member about how Brexit is affecting the budget...

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A first gas interconnector between Finland and Estonia will end the long lasting gas isolation of Finland and help, boosting security of supply and bringing an economic lift to the region. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Estonia Taavi Rõivas and the Prime Minister of Finland Juha Sipilä have today witnessed the signing of a €187 million investment in the Balticconnector – the first gas pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia. This gas interconnector will end the energy...

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In the context of the U.N. Habitat III conference, the European Commission has presented three commitments to meet the New Urban Agenda's global objectives. The New Urban Agenda, adopted at the U.N. Habitat III Conference taking place this week in Quito, Ecuador, contains guidelines to make cities all over the world more inclusive, green, safe and prosperous. It is a cornerstone in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other milestone reform agendas, in particular the Paris...

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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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