By Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund Abu Dhabi, February 22, 2016 Good morning—Sabah Al-Khair Ministers and Governors—thank you for honoring us with your presence. It is a great pleasure to speak before such a distinguished audience. Dear Minister Al-Tayer: Thank you for your generous hospitality and the gracious introduction, and thank you, Dr. Al-Hamidy, for joining hands with us to organize the Arab Fiscal Forum. This event is taking place at a pivotal moment not only for this region but for many...

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Following its first session in which European Union government leaders agreed to accelerate action on the refugee crisis, the European Council agreed a new settlement for the United Kingdom in the European Union. New settlement for the United Kingdom Unanimously agreed by all Member States, the deal fully addresses the requests of the United Kingdom and is legally binding. It will become effective on the date the United Kingdom informs the Council that it has decided to remain a member of...

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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced New York's participation in the bipartisan Governors' Energy Accord Coalition, a multi-state effort to develop and implement clean energy policies and initiatives that expand clean energy sources, modernize energy infrastructure and build a clean energy economy. Today's action follows the Governor's announcement in January of a $5 billion Clean Energy Fund which is part of New York State’s overall commitment to lead the nation in the fight against climate change. "From the creation of...

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Eurogroup President Jeroen Dijsselbloem will strive to strengthen the EU Banking Union, despite recent calls to loosen regulation in response to bank share volatility in global markets, he told the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on Thursday. "There should be no doubt of the European Union's determination to apply these rules", he said in his capacity as Eurogroup President and chair of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN). The EU's Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive, which came into force...

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Investments and free flow of capital are essential for Europe's growth. However, the EU's capital markets are still underdeveloped and fragmented. Therefore, the European Commission adopted an Action plan on "Capital Markets Union" in 2015 aiming to create a true single market for capitals in Europe. The EESC calls for Europe to better mobilise capital and channel it to companies, infrastructures and sustainable projects that will create jobs and growth. At its plenary session, the EESC has adopted an opinion...

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Good morning everybody, and welcome to this very important seminar on the future of our industry. The theme is the future of the competitiveness of our industry and the future of competitiveness of Europe, as that is the cornerstone of the future of job creation and the future of well-being in Europe. Europe has always been and will always been a manufacturing continent. But at the same time, and at this specific moment, there are lots of external and lots...

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The Commission today presented its energy security package with necessary proposals to equip the EU for global energy transition as well as to be prepared for possible energy supply interruptions. Energy security dimension is one of the cornerstones of the Energy Union strategy, a key political priority of the Juncker Commission. Implementing Energy Union: The Commission presents energy security package The Commission today unveiled a package of energy security measures to equip the EU for global energy transition to address possible energy...

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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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