After the expiry of the financial sector programme in January 2014, a staff team from the European Commission, in liaison with staff from the European Central Bank, undertook the first visit to Spain in the context of the post-programme surveillance (PPS) on 24-28 March and on 3 April. The European Stability Mechanism participated in the meetings on aspects related to its own Early Warning System. Overall, the positive trends of policy progress, ongoing economic adjustment and diminishing financial stress that...

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Many non-EU nationals wishing to travel to the EU are often faced with cumbersome, lengthy and costly visa procedures. The proposals presented today will seriously shorten and simplify the procedures for those wanting to come to the EU for short stays, and induce more cost savings and less bureaucracy, whilst maintaining the level of security. Making the access to the Schengen area easier for legitimate travellers will facilitate visiting friends and relatives and doing business. It will boost economic...

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Closing remarks at the EUROFI High Level Seminar 2014 - Athens, 1 April 2014 by Michel BARNIER, Member of the European Commission, responsible for Internal Market and Services Ladies and gentlemen, My thanks to Jacques de Larosière and to Didier Cahen for inviting me to close this year's EUROFI High Level Seminar. As usual, it has acted as a platform to exchange ideas; brought together many respected speakers from both industry and public authorities; and given us plenty of food for thought. Before...

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Eurogroup - Athens, 1 April 2014 - Olli REHN, Vice-President of the European Commission and member of the Commission responsible for Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Euro Let me begin with some words on the economic outlook. In fact, the picture has not changed substantially since I presented the Commission’s Winter Economic Forecast on 25 February. We continue to project growth in the euro area of 1.2% this year and 1.8% next year, driven by a gradual strengthening in...

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The European Commission has today adopted a package of measures to stimulate new and different ways of unlocking long-term financing and support Europe's return to sustainable economic growth. Significant long-term investment will be needed under the Europe 2020 strategy and the 2030 climate and energy package, in infrastructure, new technologies and innovation, R&D and human capital. Investment needs for transport, energy and telecom infrastructure networks of EU importance alone are estimated at €1 trillion for the period up to 2020...

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"Improving ISDS to prevent abuse" - Statement by EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht on the launch of a public consultation on investment protection in TTIP | European Commission - STATEMENT/14/85 Brussels, 27 March 2014 Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. As you are aware, on the 21st of January I decided 'to pause' the part of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP negotiations specific to Investor to State Dispute Settlement and Investor Protection. I paused this part of the current...

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Speech at the New York Stock Exchange in New York | Wednesday, 26 March 2014 Ladies and gentlemen Thank you for inviting me to speak at the New York Stock Exchange. It is a great honour and pleasure to be here today. In 1792, a few stock brokers gathered under a buttonwood tree at the lower end of Wall Street. In this meeting, they signed an agreement which, in effect, marked the birth of the New York Stock Exchange. Today, more than 200...

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Cyberspace issues have acquired a growing importance in various international fora, with increasing focus on economic opportunities and threats, norms of behaviour and application of existing international law in cyberspace, as well as on protecting human rights online. The US and the EU share a commitment to support a universal, open, free, and secure Internet, based on an inclusive, effective, and transparent multi-stakeholder model of governance. EU-US Cooperation on cyber security dates back to the 2010 EU-US summit, where leaders...

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EU-US Summit 2014 - EU and US leaders met to discuss international foreign policy, the crisis in Ukraine, the economy and key global challenges. Meeting at the occasion of the EU US Brussels summit, Herman Van Rompuy, José Manuel Barroso, and President Barack Obama discussed the strong EU-US partnership, International foreign policy, the crisis in Ukraine and key global challenges. International foreign policy and the Ukraine crisis Recent events in Ukraine have confirmed that a strong cooperation between the European Union and...

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