Ecofin discusses its work programme for the second half of 2014 At the meeting on 8 July the ministers discussed the Economic and Financial Affairs Council's work programme and priorities for the second semester of 2014, presented by the Italian presidency. Structural reforms and investment in growth and jobs are the key priorities under the Italian presidency of the Council of the EU, which runs from 1 July through to the end of December 2014. Pier Carlo Padoan, the Italian Minister of...

Algirdas Šemeta, EU Commissioner responsible for Taxation and Customs Union, Statistics, Audit and Anti-fraud at Economic and Finance Ministers Council | Brussels, 8 July 2014 Before I comment on the Italian Presidency Work programme, I would like to first thank the Greek presidency for all it achieved in the tax field. I'm not only speaking about the new legislation they succeeded in getting adopted but also the groundwork they did on many files, which should bring future successes. So, thanks to...

Karel De Gucht, European Commissioner for Trade at CDU Wirtschaftsrat Economic Conference, Berlin, 3 July 2014 Ladies and gentlemen, Berlin in 2014 is an anchor of political and economic stability. This is due to your "Soziale Marktwirtschaft" and the great performance of German companies and workers. I praise you for your achievements and I have listened carefully to Chancellor Merkel's convincing agenda for Germany and Europe. Indeed, we have a broadening recovery under way in the European Union. But we are unfortunately...

The European Commission has today launched a public consultation on ‘Science 2.0’, in order to gauge the trend towards a more open, data-driven and people-focused way of doing research and innovation. Researchers are using digital tools to get thousands of people participating in research, for example by asking them to report if they catch flu in order to monitor outbreaks and predict possible epidemics. Scientists are being more open too: sharing their findings online at an early stage, comparing...

Data collection and exploitation is a growing phenomenon; in response to industry and grassroots demands the European Commission is today calling on national governments to wake-up to this “big data” revolution. Vice President Neelie Kroes said "It’s about time we focus on the positive aspects of big data. Big data sounds negative and scary, and for the most part it isn’t. Leaders need to embrace big data.” The main problems identified in public consultations on big data are: Lack of cross-border coordination Insufficient...

Each six months, according to a pre-established order, a new Member State takes the helm of the Council of the EU. The Presidency's role encompasses chairing Council meetings, taking charge of the agenda, promoting legislative and political decisions, and brokering compromises among Member States. Starting today, July 1st 2014, Italy holds this position through December 31. The presidency trio programme is on line Italy, Latvia and Luxemburg: from 1 July 2014 to 31 December 2015 Member states holding the six-month presidency work...

At a meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council today the euro area member states adopted a recommendation approving a proposal that would enable Lithuania to become the 19th member of the currency union on 1 January 2015. They agreed with the Commission’s assessment that Lithuania has achieved a high degree of sustainable convergence with the euro area, and that it therefore fulfils the conditions for adopting the euro as its currency. The proposal will be referred to the European...