London, 5 February 2016 | European Banking Authority's 5th Anniversary Conference Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm delighted to be here to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the European Banking Authority. It’s a particular pleasure to do so here at the Guildhall, at the heart of the City of London. From here, Britain has traded with the rest of Europe for centuries. Today, investment flows out from the Square Mile to the four corners of the continent, and financial services – this country’s biggest...

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The European economy is now entering its fourth year of recovery and growth continues at a moderate rate, driven mainly by consumption. At the same time, much of the world economy is grappling with major challenges and risks to European growth are therefore increasing. The Commission's winter forecast shows that the overall growth outlook has changed little since the autumn but that the risk that growth could turn out worse than forecast has risen, mainly as a result of external factors....

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What will the UK’s future in Europe be like? The day after European Council President Donald Tusk proposed a settlement in response to UK demands for reforms, MEPs discussed the issue as part of a debate on the EU summit on 18-19 February, which will be dedicated to the talks as well as the migration crisis. Most MEPs stressed that the UK staying in the EU would be better for both the country itself as well as for the other...

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The European Commission and the United States have agreed on a new framework for transatlantic data flows: the EU-US Privacy Shield. Today, the College of Commissioners approved the political agreement reached and has mandated Vice-President Ansip and Commissioner Jourová to prepare the necessary steps to put in place the new arrangement. This new framework will protect the fundamental rights of Europeans where their data is transferred to the United States and ensure legal certainty for businesses. (…) Vice-President Ansip said: “We...

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Innovative thinking is the key to implementing the circular economy, a concept based on the principle of re-use and minimal waste. The idea is that everything is a raw material that can be re-used or recycled.  Innovative thinking is the key to implementing the circular economy, a concept based on the principle of re-use and minimal waste. The idea is that everything is a raw material that can be re-used or recycled.  The EU Action Plan to implement a circular...

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Speech by Benoît Cœuré, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Professor Lamfalussy Commemorative Conference, Budapest, 1 February 2016 The fact that Europe is facing so many challenges today should not discourage euro area countries from integrating further. On the contrary, says Executive Board member Benoît Cœuré, a successful euro area is crucial for a successful European Union. Dear Governor Matolcsy, Ladies and Gentlemen, Almost to the day 15 years ago, on 15 February 2001, Alexandre Lamfalussy and...

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Commissioner Jourová's remarks on the state of play of the Safe Harbour negotiations before the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (Libe) | Strasbourg, 1 February 2016 Honourable Members I am pleased to be back with you to provide an update on the talks with the United States on a new framework for transatlantic data flows and to hear your views on this subject. Tomorrow, the College will discuss the state of play of the negotiations with the U.S. and...

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Today's proposals aim for a coordinated EU wide response to corporate tax avoidance, following global standards developed by the OECD last autumn. New rules are needed to align the tax laws in all 28 EU countries in order to fight aggressive tax practices by large companies efficiently and effectively. The European Commission has today opened up a new chapter in its campaign for fair, efficient and growth-friendly taxation in the EU with new proposals to tackle corporate tax avoidance. The Anti...

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Speech by Yves Mersch, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at an event organised by the Bayerischer Sparkassenverband, Munich, 27 January 2016 Ladies and Gentlemen, You have invited me to speak about “Current developments in the German banking market”. Allow me to say right at the beginning, not just in my official capacity as a representative of the European Central Bank (ECB), that a national banking market in a monetary union must be seen in the context of...

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