Recalling its conclusions of July 2015 which invited the High Representative and the Commission to report back in early 2016 on the outcome of the COP21 and its implications for climate diplomacy, the Council adopted the following conclusions. The Council welcomes the Paris Climate Agreement as a landmark achievement for combating climate change, and for multilateralism. The Paris Agreement represents an ambitious, balanced, equitable and legally binding agreement. The adoption of the agreement and the cumulative announcement by the end...

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In the case of a deal on a reform of the UK’s EU membership, Parliament will do its utmost to support it, but the result is not guaranteed, warned EP President Martin Schulz. He spoke out after UK Prime Minister David Cameron discussed Parliament’s position with leading MEPs on Tuesday. The visit came ahead of Thursday’s European Council summit when heads of state will try to come to an agreement. Schulz will attend to present Parliament’s position. Although Schulz said...

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Empire State Development has issued a Request for Proposals to revitalize more than 40 acres at Republic Airport in East Farmingdale, Suffolk County. The development of this land will help generate new economic opportunities for Long Island, in terms of both attracting new businesses and creating jobs. "Republic is already a key part of New York’s regional transportation network and, with this action, we are seeking to unlock its potential as a major...

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Key Topics: Third EUR Climate Awareness Bond (CAB) increased to or above EUR 1.5bn EUR 13bn of Green Bonds issued by EIB to date via 59 CABs in 11 currencies Increasing role of Green Bonds in the context of COP21 Increasing role of stock exchanges in promoting transparency and comparability Today, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the development institution owned by the EU Member States, increased the 0.500% Climate Awareness Bond (CAB) 11/2026 to EUR 1.5bn, now the largest Green Bond in this part...

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On February 10, 2016, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the 2015 Article IV consultation with Austria. Austria is stable and affluent. It has weathered the global financial crisis well, and output and employment have recovered to pre-crisis levels. The budget deficit has been well contained in recent years. Nevertheless, as in other countries, budget support for bank restructuring and resolution has ratcheted up public debt, which stands now at about 86 percent of GDP. Crisis...

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Speech by Peter Praet, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Committee on Capital Markets Regulation conference on The lender of last resort – an international perspective, Washington DC, 10 February 2016 Introduction Ladies and gentlemen, Since tensions emerged in the interbank market in August 2007, central banks have been at the forefront – and centre – of the response to the financial crisis. Such prominence is directly linked to their ability to create liquidity for the entire financial...

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Commissioner Jonathan Hill and the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Timothy Massad have today announced a common approach regarding requirements for central clearing counterparties (CCPs). The US and EU are home to the largest derivatives markets in the world. A common approach to the regulation and supervision of global derivatives markets is critical to supporting cross-border trade and investment and maintaining financial stability. Today's agreement will ensure that European CCPs will be able to do business in the...

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Environment minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen is to open the third European Innovation Partnership (EIP) Water Conference in the Frisian provincial capital, Leeuwarden, on 10 February. The Leeuwarden conference is being held under the auspices of the Netherlands Presidency of the EU, like the Cities and Water conference that follows directly after it. The previous conferences were held in Brussels and Barcelona. The 650 participants will consider the latest developments in water-related innovation in Europe. Representatives of government, business and...

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1 out of 4 internet users in the EU experienced security related problems in 2015 - Security concerns limited uptake of certain activities In the European Union (EU), the proportion of internet users having experienced certain common security issues over the internet – such as viruses affecting devices, abuse of personal information, financial losses or children accessing inappropriate websites – stood at 25% in 2015. In other words, three-quarters (75%) of internet users encountered no such online security problems in...

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