Chapter News

ECB blog post by Christine Lagarde | 25 years of euro unity

The euro is more than a currency, says President Christine Lagarde. It is the strongest form of European integration and stands for a united Europe that works together, protecting and benefiting all its citizens. The ECB, with its commitment to price stability, will always be a cornerstone of that effort. On 1 June 1998, the European Central Bank was established to prepare for the launch of the euro – the world’s largest ever currency changeover. As a lawyer at the...

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Member News

Osborne Clarke | Employee Incentives Update, May 2023

In this edition, we cover annual reporting for employment-related securities arrangements (including changes to HMRC's templates), recent improvements to tax-advantaged plans and some upcoming consultations. We also report on developments across Europe, including recent changes to the Dutch share option regime and a further update on wage tax deferral for German start-ups in an international setting. Employment-related securities | Updated HMRC templates and 6 July 2023 deadline Companies operating employment-related securities arrangements are reminded that the deadline to file their annual...

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Member News

ACG Resources | Choose to be Exceptional, 7 Characteristics

Every single person wants to be great at what they do, exceptional even. However, when it comes down to it, few actually want to put forth the effort to see that transformation. Those who are willing to live intentionally and take action in their lives will see the rewards of their efforts. Here are seven characteristics or qualities of those who are truly exceptional. Focus Forward. No good will come from keeping your eyes trained backward. This is true...

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Chapter News

IMF | How Natural Gas Market Integration Can Help Increase Energy Security

Closer ties allowed Europe to find new natural gas sources after Russia’s supply cutoff, and growing global export capacity can reduce market fragmentation. Natural gas might be the same commodity everywhere in the world, but prices can vary dramatically because of the complex network of infrastructure needed to transport it. The result is a partially fragmented global market, mainly because most natural gas moves by pipeline—unlike the market for crude oil, which is more integrated and tends to trade at...

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Chapter News

HR/VP Josep Borrell | How to deal with China

How to handle China is a major political issue for the EU, one that is more complex than dealing with Russia. Certainly, the EU’s political and economic systems have profound differences with both Russia and China. Unlike Russia, China is a real systemic actor, approaching 20% of the world economy and growing while Russia represents around two percent and decreasing. The economic, political, and financial influence of China is considerable, and its military power continues to grow. Its ambition is...

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Chapter News

U.S. and EU Sanctions Teams Enhance Bilateral Partnership

The United States and European Union are committed to working more closely on sanctions as a key tool to address shared foreign policy goals. From April 26–28, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the European Commission Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA) concluded a multi-day technical meeting in Brussels, exchanging best practices and strengthening working relationships. The purpose of the meeting was...

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Chapter News

EU Customs Reform

On 17 May 2023, the Commission put forward proposals for the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union since its establishment in 1968. Key features of the proposals The reform responds to the current pressures under which EU Customs operates, including a huge increase in trade volumes, especially in e-commerce, a fast-growing number of EU standards that must be checked at the border, and shifting geopolitical realities and crises. The measures proposed present a world-leading, data-driven vision for EU...

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Chapter News

Cooperation between national taxation authorities: EU Council puts the spotlight on crypto-assets and the wealthiest individuals

The Council has reached agreement on its position (general approach) regarding amendments to the directive on administrative cooperation in the area of taxation. The amendments mainly concern the reporting and automatic exchange of information on revenues from transactions in crypto-assets and information on advance tax rulings for the wealthiest (high-net-worth) individuals. The aim is to strengthen the existing legislative framework by enlarging the scope for registration and reporting obligations and overall administrative cooperation of tax administrations. Today we are strengthening...

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Member News

Arendt | Updated ESMA Guidelines on MiFID II product governance requirements

On 27 March 2023, the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) published its Final report on Guidelines on MiFID II product governance requirements (the “2023 Guidelines”). 1. Background The 2023 Guidelines, which were preceded by a consultation paper (“CP”), replace the previous version of the guidelines issued by ESMA in 2017 and take account of recent regulatory and supervisory developments. 2. Aim According to ESMA, the 2023 Guidelines’ main aims are to: reduce the risk of mis-selling and its related financial consequences; reduce...

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Member News

Vulcan Insight | European Commission Proposes the Creation of a New EU Customs Authority

This week, the European Commission presented a comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union which will harmonise how customs operate across the EU. Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, welcomed the proposed reform describing it as part of the Commission’s “plan to strengthen the EU’s open strategic autonomy”. Commissioner Dombrovskis explained that the reform would “enable EU customs to better defend our financial and economic interest, while ensuring the safety and security of goods entering the...

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