Non-EU nationals exempt from visa requirements will have to get an authorisation before travelling to the EU, under new rules backed by Parliament on Thursday. The new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), which should be operational in 2021, will allow for advanced checks on visa-free travellers and those considered to pose a security, irregular migration or epidemic risk will be denied access. Nationals of the more than 60 countries and territories exempt from visa requirements to enter the EU will...

US decision to quit key international deals and start trade war harms EU-US ties, but EU should not give up on transatlantic bond, said committee MEPs on Thursday. In a resolution on the state of EU-US relations, approved by 35 votes to 4, with 2 abstentions, Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs stress that the EU-US relationship is the fundamental guarantor for global stability, but regret that the US administration has chosen a one-sided “America first” policy, that harms the interests of...

The Commission eliminated in 2017 the highest number ever of trade barriers faced by EU companies doing business abroad  The annual report on Trade and Investment Barriers, released today, shows that the European Commission has eliminated the highest number ever of trade barriers faced by EU companies doing business abroad. European exporters reported a major increase in protectionism in 2017. The report highlights that thanks to the EU's enhanced Market Access Strategy, 45 obstacles were lifted fully or in part in 2017...

The Commission's 2018 European Innovation Scoreboard published today shows that the EU's innovation performance continues to improve, but further efforts are needed to ensure Europe's global competitiveness. Every year, the Commission publishes a comparative assessment of the innovation performance of Member States and benchmarks it with international competitors. The data helps Member States, and the EU as a whole, assess in which areas efforts need to be focused. Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, said: "The 2018 Scoreboard shows...

Today, in the capital of New Zealand, Wellington, Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström and New Zealand's Minister for Trade David Parker officially launched talks for a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement. The negotiations will aim at removing barriers to trade in goods and services, as well as developing trade rules to make trade easier and more sustainable. Today's announcement follows on the footsteps of the launch of negotiations with Australia earlier this week. It also comes soon after the conclusion of...

Following their summit in Charlevoix on June 8-9, G7 leaders adopted a joint communiqué affirming their commitment to fight trade protectionism and to reform the World Trade Organisation among many other commitments (read the full text here). The EU, represented by President Donald Tusk with President Jean-Claude Juncker, reaffirmed its strong commitment to implement the Paris climate agreement, along with France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK. Despite President Trump's refusal to sign the joint communiqué, the EU stands behind the final...

  G7 Summit: The European Union will continue to stand up for the international rules-based multilateral system  European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk represented the EU at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Canada. G7 leaders committed to fight trade protectionism and to reform the World Trade Organisation and urged Russia to end its actions undermining democracies and its support of the Syrian regime. They also called for the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and of Iran. Leaders vowed to work together to achieve inclusive...