The European Commission has today launched plans for the biggest reform of EU VAT rules in a quarter of a century. The reboot would improve and modernise the system for governments and businesses alike. Overall, over €150 billion of VAT is lost every year, meaning that Member States miss out on revenue that could be used for schools, roads and healthcare. Of this, around €50 billion - or €100 per EU citizen each year - is estimated to be due to...

Starting A Business Just Got Easier. Applications are now being accepted for the International Innovators Initiative (IN2NYC), a City-led program that helps international entrepreneurs expand or relocate their businesses to New York City. IN2NYC was designed for international entrepreneurs who exemplify the type of innovation that keeps New York City a competitive destination for businesses across industries. The initiative helps entrepreneurs who have started a business overseas and would like to relocate or expand their business to the United States. International...

By Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic. Ministers, Members of Parliament, Prefect, Dean, University Presidents Ladies and gentlemen, I have come to talk to you about Europe. “Again”, some might exclaim. People will just have to get used to it, because I will not stop talking about it. Because this is where our battle lies, our history, our identity, our horizon, what protects us and gives us a future. “Already? Is it really necessary? ”, others might say. Because for them it is never...

As announced by President Juncker in his letter of intent on 13 September, the European Commission is today proposing measures to preserve and strengthen the Schengen area. The Commission is proposing to update the Schengen Borders Code to adapt the rules for the reintroduction of temporary internal border controls to the current needs to respond to evolving and persistent serious threats to public policy or internal security. Stronger procedural safeguards are also being introduced to ensure that border controls at internal borders remain an exception...

By Karsten Grabow Preliminary result Despite severe losses the two Christian democratic parties attained important strategic goals. They remained as the strongest political forces in Germany. There is no winning coalition without them possible and Angela Merkel will be Germany’s next chancellor. The Social democrats lost more than five percentage points and gained 20.5 per cent of the votes. This is the worst result the Social democrats got in an election since the foundation of the Federal Republic. Immediately after election, SPD...

For now, we have some key details on the agenda of October's upcoming Council meeting in Brussels. The agenda is full - and the Council has released a few details, shown below: Place:           Europa building, Brussels Chair:           Matti Maasikas, Deputy Minister for European Affairs of Estonia  All times are approximate and subject to change from 08.30    Arrivals (live streaming)  +/- 08.55       Doorstep by Deputy Minister Matti Maasikas  +/- 10.00       Beginning of Council meeting (Roundtable) Adoption of legislative A items (public session) Presentation of the priorities...