Karel De Gucht | European Commissioner for Trade | High-level conference "Spain: from Stability to Growth" | Bilbao, Spain, 3 March 2014 Ladies and gentlemen, The fact that we are meeting here, in the Guggenheim Museum, is highly appropriate for our theme. This remarkable building – designed by an American and brought to life here in Bilbao – is a symbol, the world over… … of what creativity, technology and genius can achieve in architecture... … and what urban communities can do to put...

Tomorrow (4 March) European Commission President Barroso will take part in an interactive debate with citizens, hosted by the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, and featuring also European Parliament President Martin Schulz. The debate, entitled 'Your wish list for Europe', will be sparked by contributions from EU citizens, who will outline what they expect from Europe in the future. The debate takes place in the European Parliament on Tuesday, 4 March, from 9.00-11.30 CET. It will be streamed live on...

According to a new report released by the European Commission, by 2018 the EU’s “app economy” could employ 4.8 million people (up from around 1.8 million) and contribute €63 billion (more than $80 billion) to the EU economy. Currently, EU and North American developers each generate around 42 percent of app revenues in crucial EU and US markets. Key findings from the study include: EU games app developers lead the field: 28 EU companies created 40 percent of the top 100 grossing apps...

The European Commission's winter forecast foresees a continuation of the economic recovery in most Member States and in the EU as a whole. After exiting recession in spring 2013 and three consecutive quarters of subdued recovery, the outlook is for a moderate step-up in economic growth. Following real GDP growth of 1.5% in the EU and 1.2% in the euro area in 2014, activity is seen accelerating in 2015 to 2.0% in the EU and 1.8% in the euro...

Euro area annual inflation was 0.8% in January 2014, stable compared to December 2013. A year earlier the rate was 2.0%. Monthly inflation was -1.1% in January 2014. European Union annual inflation was 0.9% in January 2014, down from 1.0% in December 2013. A year earlier the rate was 2.1%. Monthly inflation was -0.9% in January 2014. Inflation rates – detailed figures More on Harmonized Indices of Consumer Prices (HICP) Employment: vacancy trends reveal growing North-South divide in EU labour market Vacancy...

Ministers held a debate on industrial competitiveness on the basis of the Commission communication “For a European Industrial Renaissance”. They also held a debate on the Commission's Annual Growth Survey (AGS) for 2014. The main results of the Council included: Industrial competitiveness Ministers held a debate on industrial competitiveness on the basis of the Commission communication “For a European Industrial Renaissance”, which proposes that industrial competitiveness concerns be systematically mainstreamed across relevant EU policy areas such as environmental, climate, energy, trade,...

The EU finance ministers on 18 February discussed the possible adjustments to the Council's general approach reached in December 2013 on the single resolution mechanism. The discussion was held with a view to giving more flexibility to the presidency in the forthcoming "trilogue" negotiations with the European Parliament on the establishment of the single resolution mechanism (SRM) – one of the key elements of Europe's future banking union. While not diverging from the key elements of the general approach, the ministers...

According to a European Commission report on the current status of EU industry, most sectors have still not regained their pre-crisis level of output and significant differences exist between sectors and Member States. According to a European Commission report published today on the current status of EU industry, most sectors have still not regained their pre-crisis level of output and significant differences exist between sectors and Member States. The "EU industrial structure report 2013: Competing in Global Value Chains" sheds...