The European Commission welcomes the agreement reached late yesterday by members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - including the EU - to substantially limit the export-related support for coal-fired power plants and to encourage the use of the most advanced technology in energy production. The outcome of two years of intense discussions represents a first important step forwards in aligning export credits policies with the global push for cleaner energy generation. EU Commissioner for Trade, Cecilia Malmström said: “The...

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The European Commission adopts a list of 195 key energy infrastructure projects - known as projects of common interest – which will help deliver Europe’s energy and climate objectives and form key building blocks of the EU’s Energy Union. The European Commission has today adopted a list of 195 key energy infrastructure projects which will help deliver Europe’s energy and climate objectives and form key building blocks of the EU’s Energy Union. The projects – known as Projects of Common Interest...

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The first State of the Energy Union Report shows that much progress has already been made since the adoption of the Energy Union Framework Strategy 9 months ago. Still much remains to be done, and 2016 will be an important year of delivery. The Energy Union Framework Strategy (IP/15/4497) created a new momentum to bring about the transition to a low-carbon, secure and competitive economy. The Commission has also committed to report annually on the state of the Energy Union in...

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In or out? Britain will decide on its future in Europe with a referendum once negotiations with the EU have been concluded. A delegation from the Parliament's constitutional affairs committee went to London on 16 and 17 November to discuss the upcoming EU membership referendum with ministers, parliamentary committees and think-tanks. We spoke to committee chair Danuta Hübner, a Polish member of the EPP group, about her findings and the upcoming negotiations. What impressions did you get from the visit to...

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I have been informed that in the talks between Greek authorities and the institutions substantive agreement has been reached on all outstanding issues regarding the measures included in the first set of milestones and on the financial sector measures that are essential for a successful recapitalisation process. This is good news. The Eurogroup Working Group discussed the state of play today and welcomed the substantive progress made. Legislation will be adopted in the Greek parliament on Thursday. Upon the completion of the agreed...

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Today the European Commission together with companies launch the European Pact for Youth, a mutual engagement of business leaders and the EU to create a culture of business-education partnerships to improve the chances for young people of getting a job, at the Enterprise 2020 Summit. Today the European Commission together with companies launch the European Pact for Youth, a mutual engagement of business leaders and the EU to create a culture of business-education partnerships to improve the chances for young...

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The European Commission has completed its assessment of the Draft Budgetary Plans (DBPs) for 2016 that euro area Member States submitted by 15 October. With these Opinions, the Commission assesses the compliance of the Draft Budgetary Plans for the following year with the provision of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). No DBP for 2016 has been found in particularly serious non-compliance. In several cases, however, the Commission finds that the planned fiscal adjustments fall short, or risk doing so, of what is required...

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A regulation that will improve the transparency of securities lending and repurchase transactions was adopted by the Council on 16 November 2015.  The regulation is intended to counter the risk of trading activities developing outside the regulated banking system, or otherwise without proper oversight. By introducing binding and reporting requirements, it sets out to discourage banks and other financial intermediaries from shifting transactions to the less-regulatedshadow banking sector. It will ensure that information on securities financing transactions is efficiently reported to trade repositories and...

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A directive aimed at further developing an EU-wide market for electronic payments was adopted by the Council on 16 November 2015.  The directive incorporates and repeals directive 2007/64/EC, which provided the legal basis for the creation of an EU-wide single market for payment services. The revised directive adapts the rules to cater for emerging and innovative payment services, including internet and mobile payments. It sets out to ensure a more secure environment for payments, in particular for those using remote channels. Changes in e-commerce Since adoption of the original payment...

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The European American Chamber of Commerce has a special bond with the City of Lights as we grew out of the French American Chamber of Commerce in Paris. After the terrible attacks on the city of our origin, we have the people of Paris and France in our hearts and send our heartfelt condolences to those who lost loved one's. The EACC Team here in New York

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