Today, the European Commission recommended to the Council to authorize the launch of negotiations on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the European Union and the United States. "I am very pleased that just one month after the announcement by the EU and the U.S. to go for this 'game-changing' trade deal, the European Commission is ready with a proposed mandate for the future negotiations," said EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht. "We can now roll up our sleeves up...

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For the eighth consecutive year, teams of high school students around the U.S. are competing with peers at regional and national levels, responding to questions about the European economy and the euro. Today marks the start of the 2013 preliminary rounds of the Euro Challenge, one of the EU Delegation's flagship education programs. What is the Euro Challenge? The Euro Challenge is an exciting educational opportunity for high school students to learn about the European Union (EU) and the euro. Student...

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Speaking at a conference on Europe at Harvard March 2, European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht stressed that fostering transatlantic trade would be the best way to provide economic stimulus. "This is the cheapest stimulus package you can imagine," he said. Noting that "On both sides, we are still suffering the effects of the earthquake that hit our economies in 2008," Commissioner De Gucht agreed that trade is an indispensable ingredient of prosperity as he made the case for...

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 In early 2012, the EU proposed a major overhaul of its 1995 data protection rules to adapt them to 21st century innovations in information and communications technologies. Negotiations on new legislation are advancing swiftly, and if all goes well, the EU plans to adopt a new law before the end of the year. "European businesses need to take advantage of this new computing and information-sharing landscape and European consumers need to be able to navigate safely though the digital age,"...

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The Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America has a Contract Agent vacancy (Group II),  providing Administrative and Secretarial Assistance to the Political, Security and Development Section at the Washington Delegation. Please refer to the requirements before considering applying. This position is only open to citizens from an EU country having passed an EPSO CAST exam for Contract Agent Group II. The Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America has a vacancy for...

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The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive will come into force later this year in the European Union (EU). This will regulate alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) within the EU and provide for a new pan-European ”passport” for compliant alternative investment funds (AIFs), including hedge funds, private equity and real estate funds. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) annnounced on 16 January 2013 that it has approved co-operation arrangements between the Brazilian Comissão de Valores Mobiliários (CVM) and all 27 of...

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The European Commission today set out its first comprehensive strategy to prevent and respond to cyber disruptions and attacks. The new cybersecurity strategy along with a proposal on Network and Information Security aims to prevent and fight cybercrime, strengthen the security and resilience of networks and information security systems, and helps establish a more coherent European cybersecurity policy.   The international dimension also features prominently with the objective of establishing a coherent international cyberspace policy. At bilateral level, the document underscores...

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European leaders today reached an important agreement on a balanced and growth-oriented common budget for the European Union. Noting that this compromise shows a sense of collective responsibility from Europe's leaders, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy highlighted that the 2014-2020 budget is future-oriented, realistic, and driven by pressing concerns. "I'm satisfied that all along this negotiation we kept the bigger picture in mind. Even in such difficult economic conditions, we have managed to keep essential factors of continuity and of growth." European Commission President...

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The latest edition of the European Policy Scorecard 2013 published by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) finds that the transatlantic relationship remains resilient and vital to both partners. Europe is singled out as the only dependable partner the U.S. has. The study highlights how the EU has been able to advance its foreign policy objectives. In particular, the European External Action Service, under the leadership of High Representative Catherine Ashton, has "continued to develop and consolidate its role."...

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