EU citizens could access registers of beneficial owners of companies without having to demonstrate a “legitimate interest,” and trusts would have to meet the same transparency requirements as firms, under amendments, agreed by MEPs on Tuesday, to the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive. The amendments, agreed by the Economic and Monetary Affairs and Civil Liberties committees, would plug gaps in the EU’s framework legislation against money laundering and terrorism financing.  They would also introduce stricter transparency rules to prevent tax evasion....

Trade agreements can help increase sales and support jobs in the EU agri-food sector, a new study shows. Trade agreements have helped to boost EU agricultural exports and have supported jobs in the agri-food sector and other sectors of the economy, according to a new independent study carried out on behalf of the European Commission. Trade agreements with three countries – Mexico, South Korea and Switzerland – were studied in detail. Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan said: "These...

  Is the EU still fit for purpose in its current form? With no shortage of challenges facing us the European Parliament has looked into how the EU can be improved. On 16 February MEPs adopted three reports setting out how they believe the EU needs to be reformed in order to boost its capacity to act, restore people’s trust and make the economy more resilient. The report by Guy Verhofstadt (ALDE, Belgium) considers what treaty changes might be needed for...

  How well do you know Europe? Find out by taking part in our winter challenge! See how many European capitals you can identify correctly. To enter the challenge, simply click on the image above.  You will be presented with a picture of a European capital. Choose the correct city it represents. You have three guesses per picture. Good luck! Compliments of the European Parliament

The Commission published today its annual analysis of the economic and social situation in Member States European Semester Winter Package Over the past twelve months, many EU countries have made further progress in addressing their key economic challenges, according to the European Commission's assessment today as part of an annual cycle of economic policy coordination at EU level.  Today's review follows the economic forecasts released last week. The 27 Country Reports provide the annual analysis by the Commission of Member States'...

After fifteen rounds of negotiations with the United States on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) since 2013, European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said that the free-trade deal is likely to be “in the freezer” until the new US administration has figured out its position on transatlantic trade. US President Donald Trump’s administration is not bound by any progress made in the TTIP negotiations by the previous Obama administration. TTIP was removed from the official White House...