Luxembourg presidency reached a provisional agreement with European Parliament representatives on common rules for the protection of trade secrets and confidential information of EU companies. The agreement was confirmed by the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Council on 18 December 2015. Draft directive on trade secrets Etienne Schneider, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economic Affairs of Luxembourg, congratulated the EU institutions for their excellent cooperation and for the successful outcome, and made the following comments: "Nowadays there is great diversity of...

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On 18 December 2015, the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) endorsed an informal deal struck with the European Parliament on the first rules to strengthen the security of network and information systems across the EU. The network and information security (NIS) directive will increase cooperation between member states and lay down security obligations for operators of essential services and digital service providers. Essential services operators are active in critical sectors such as energy, transport, health and finance. Digital services cover online...

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The European Commission put forward its EU Data Protection Reform in January 2012 to make Europe fit for the digital age (IP/12/46). Today, an agreement was found with the European Parliament and the Council, following final negotiations between the three institutions (so-called ‘trilogue’ meetings). More than 90% of Europeans say they want the same data protection rights across the EU – and regardless of where their data is processed: this will soon be a reality. The Reform package will put...

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Cybersecurity - the best defense in one of the newest theaters of war—must respond to constantly transforming targets in order to eliminate or minimize unimaginable damage to a society’s security and infrastructure. What today is mostly the stuff of science fiction could tomorrow become reality without constant cyber vigilance. The European Union aims to keep pace with cyber vulnerabilities, and on December 7, 2015, adopted EU-wide rules affecting network and information security. The new legislation will: improve cybersecurity capabilities in...

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From 30 November to 12 December, Paris hosted the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 11th session of the meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 11). On 12 December, the parties reached a new global agreement on climate change. The agreement presents a balanced outcome with an action plan to limit global warming 'well below' 2°C. Carole Dieschbourg, Environment Minister for...

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Today, the Commission adopted a Communication on the contribution of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) to the EU's growth strategy, the Investment Plan and the Commission's priorities over the next decade. Today, the Commission adopted a Communication on the contribution of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) to the EU's growth strategy, the Investment Plan and the Commission's priorities over the next decade. The report also includes the outcomes of the negotiations with all the...

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European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström and US Trade Representative Michael Froman released the following joint statement after the conclusion of their meeting on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in Brussels. “The European Union and the United States have made considerable progress towards a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in the past year, notably since the G7 Elmau summit in June, when we agreed to accelerate work on all elements of the agreement. We are fully committed...

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Outlook and Risks 1. The UK’s recent economic performance has been strong, and considerable progress has been achieved in addressing underlying vulnerabilities. Growth has exceeded that of the other major advanced economies, the unemployment rate has fallen substantially, employment has reached an historic high, the fiscal deficit has been reduced, and financial sector resilience has increased. 2. Steady growth looks likely to continue over the next few years, and inflation should gradually return to target. After a period of robust private domestic demand-driven growth, matched...

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Worth €99.6 billion for 2014-2020, all 118 EU Rural Development Programmes for 2014-2020 are now ready to roll. Today's adoption of Greece's Rural Development Programme (RDP) marks the end of the adoption process for all 118 programmes for the 2014-2020 period. With €99.6 billion from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and another €60.6 billion of co-funding from national and regional public funds or private investment, the RDPs will help European rural areas and communities face the current...

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