EU Publications

Cyprus: Country economic forecast - April 2012 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 28 May 2012, 00:23 CET

Marketresearch presents a report on Cyprus's economic condition. Banking sector problems, weak tourism from the EU and the need for sharp public sector cutbacks rule out any return to growth this year; indeed, a return to recession is now expected.

European Economic Forecast – Spring 2012 by EUbusiness — last modified 11 May 2012, 14:05 CET

The European Union's economy is currently in a mild recession. But a gradual recovery is in sight. Uncertainty about economic and financial prospects remains high, but strong policy actions and major advancements in the EU institutional framework have brought about an easing of financial market tensions in the beginning of 2012 and a tentative stabilisation of confidence, expected to further strengthen over the forecast period.

Europe's Economic Crisis: Transatlantic Perspectives by Amazon — last modified 10 May 2012, 22:01 CET

Today the Eurozone is in turmoil, beset by stresses and strains that could challenge Europe s very construction. How did the current crisis come about, and how may it be resolved? And what does it mean for Europe s historic experiment in political and economic integration? This book addresses these questions and offers invaluable perspectives for anyone attempting to understand the roots and continuing impact of Europe s economic crisis.

A strategy for e-procurement by EUbusiness — last modified 26 April 2012, 16:55 CET

In April 2012 the European Commission adopted a communication setting out a strategy to make the use of e-procurement the rule in the EU by mid-2016. E-procurement refers to the use of electronic communications by public sector organisations when buying supplies and services or tendering public works. This Communication presents the strategic importance of electronic procurement (e- procurement) and sets out the main actions through which the Commission intends to support the transition towards full e-procurement in the EU.

De minimis Regulation for services of general economic interest (SGEI) by EUbusiness — last modified 25 April 2012, 20:07 CET

Commission Regulation of 25.4.2012 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid granted to undertakings providing services of general economic interest - the European Commission has adopted a Regulation that exempts from EU state aid rules aid of up to EUR 500,000 per company over a three-year period that is granted as compensation for the provision of services of general economic interest (SGEI).

Plunkett's E-Commerce & Internet Business Almanac 2012 by Amazon — last modified 23 April 2012, 18:46 CET

This new almanac is your ready-reference guide to the e-commerce & Internet business worldwide! You will get all of the data you need, including complete e-commerce statistics, trends and technologies analysis, Internet research and development, growth companies, online services and markets, bricks & clicks and other online retailing strategies, emerging e-commerce technologies and Internet usage trends. Plus, you also get access to profiles of nearly 450 E-Commerce & Internet companies - Plunkett's own unique list of companies that are the leaders in this field, from online retailers, to manufacturers of software and equipment for Internet communications, to Internet services providers. Corporate profiles include executive contacts, growth plans, financial records, addresses, phone and fax numbers and more. This innovative book offers unique information, all indexed and cross-indexed. The industry analysis section covers business to consumer, business to business, online financial services and technologies, as well as Internet access and usage trends. The book includes numerous statistical tables covering such topics as e-commerce revenues, access trends, global Internet users, etc. Purchasers will find a form in the book enabling them to register for 1-year, 1-seat online access to tools at Plunkett Research Online, including the ability to view the market research/industry trends section and industry statistics. You have access, at no additional charge, to the very latest data posted to Plunkett Research Online. Online tools enable you to search and view selected companies, and then export selected company contact data, including executive names. You will find a complete overview, industry analysis and market research report in one superb, value-priced package.

stakeholder.eu 2012: The Directory for Brussels by EUbusiness — last modified 05 April 2012, 13:57 CET

As capital of the European Union, Brussels is home to tens of thousands of civil servants, representatives of businesses, civil society and governments. In order to work in Brussels, you do not need to know everyone – but you do need to know the stakeholders in your area of interest and activity. The second revised and extended edition of stakeholder.eu 2012 lists all of these EU stakeholders in a comprehensive, well-structured, reliable and userfriendly way.

SMEs, Resource Efficiency and Green Markets - Flash Eurobarometer 342 by EUbusiness — last modified 29 March 2012, 18:46 CET

The European Commission has published an extensive survey – the first of its kind - to understand the views and attitudes of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) towards resource efficiency and green markets. The report addresses three core themes: resource efficiency, green markets and green jobs.

The Decline and Fall of Europe by EUbusiness — last modified 22 March 2012, 20:53 CET

Europe stands on the brink of a monumental fall, wrestling with colossal economic, social, political and strategic challenges. The Decline and Fall of Europe reveals the hidden cracks that threaten to tear Europe apart, many of which have been deliberately ignored by politicians for decades, and in the process asks the question - is Project Europe really worth saving?

Attitudes of Europeans towards water - Flash Eurobarometer 344 by EUbusiness — last modified 22 March 2012, 20:29 CET

Close to three quarters of Europeans think that the EU should propose additional measures to address water problems in Europe, according to a Eurobarometer survey. A sizeable majority – 68 % – think that water-related problems are serious. Droughts, floods and chemical pollution are seen as significant challenges.

Second quarterly report of the Task Force for Greece by EUbusiness — last modified 15 March 2012, 22:57 CET

The European Commission's Task Force for Greece presented its second report on the EU support to Greece on 15 March 2012. The Task Force for Greece was established by President Barroso following a request from the Greek Prime Minister Papandreou in Summer 2011. The objective is to support the delivery of the Greek adjustment programme and to accelerate the absorption of EU funds through a comprehensive programme of technical assistance.

Development Policy of the European Union (The European Union Series) by Amazon — last modified 07 March 2012, 22:47 CET

Designed to replace Martin Holland's The European Union and the Third World, this new text provides systematic coverage of the European Union's policies in relation to the developing world in the 21st century and includes substantial coverage of governance issues and the relationship between development initiatives and European integration.

The HLG Best Practice Report by EUbusiness — last modified 23 February 2012, 18:43 CET

The HLG adopted Europe can do better: Report on best practice in Member States to implement EU legislation in the least burdensome way in November 2011. The report provides concrete examples of best practice proposed primarily by Member States themselves.

The European Union and Member State Territories: A New Legal Framework Under the EU Treaties by EUbusiness — last modified 22 February 2012, 16:49 CET

The book reviews the EU Treaties provisions governing relations between the EU and Member State territories, such as the Netherlands Antilles, the UK Channel Islands and the French Overseas Departments. The book includes an overview of each of the relevant territories, including their present constitutional relations with their Member State and their legal relations with the EU. Prior to the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, the over-arching Treaty provision for this relationship was Article 299 of the EC Treaty. Having traced the development of Article 299 from 1957 to the present Lisbon framework, the book identifies many inconsistencies and issues with this current framework and proposes a new model framework, one that is more concise and up-to-date and which is adaptable to possible future developments. Useful for EU Law departments and Research Centres, EU Think Tanks, EU Institutions Libraries, Permanent Representatives to the EU and law firms specializing in EU law.

Standards for Smart Grids: Recommendations for smart grid standardization in Europe by Ina Dimireva — last modified 17 February 2012, 18:57 CET

This report investigates the status of smart grids standardization in Europe. Its main focus is the organization of standardization in Europe. The present version of the report focuses on the smart electricity grid.

ECB Monthly Bulletin - February 2012 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 16 February 2012, 20:31 CET

The ECB Monthly Bulletin provides a detailed overview of recent economic and monetary developments in the euro area in the form of text and statistics.

European Union and Public Affairs Directory 2012 by Amazon UK — last modified 14 February 2012, 22:56 CET

The definitive guide to EU Institutions, policy & public affairs professionals. The European Union & Public Affairs Directory (EPAD) 2012 (published December 2011) is Europe's most comprehensive contact directory, detailing thousands of key European public affairs professionals, officials and policy-makers and covering organisations from media agencies to major corporations and trade unions to think tanks, as well as the European Parliament and Commission.

Alert Mechanism Report 2012 - Report prepared in accordance with Articles 3 and 4 of the Regulation on the prevention and correction of macro-economic imbalances by EUbusiness — last modified 14 February 2012, 18:54 CET

The EU’s new rules on economic governance, the so-called "six-pack" has two legs: fiscal and macroeconomic surveillance. The macroeconomic imbalances procedure is a new tool that helps detect and correct risky economic developments. Its first ever annual Alert Mechanism Report (AMR), adopted today, kicks-off the surveillance. The European Commission identifies 12 EU Member States whose macroeconomic situation needs to be analysed in more depth. It is only these subsequent in-depth reviews that will assess whether or not imbalances exist and whether or not they are harmful.

The Euro area sovereign debt crisis: Safe haven, credit rating agencies and the spread of the fever from Greece, Ireland and Portugal (ECB Working Paper No. 1419) by Ina Dimireva — last modified 10 February 2012, 19:59 CET

Since the intensification of the crisis in September 2008, all euro area long-term government bond yields relative to the German Bund have been characterised by highly persistent processes with upward trends for countries with weaker fiscal fundamentals. Looking at the daily period 1 September 2008 - 4 August 2011, the paper finds that three factors can explain the recorded developments in sovereign spreads: (i) an aggregate regional risk factor, (ii) the country-specific credit risk and (iii) the spillover effect from Greece. Specifically, higher risk aversion has increased the demand for the Bund and this is behind the pricing of all euro area spreads, including those for Austria, Finland and the Netherlands. Country-specific credit ratings have played a key role in the developments of the spreads for Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Finally, the rating downgrade in Greece has contributed to developments in spreads of countries with weaker fiscal fundamentals: Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Belgium and France.

Who needs credit and who gets credit in Eastern Europe? (ECB Working Paper No. 1421) by Ina Dimireva — last modified 10 February 2012, 18:51 CET

Based on survey data covering 8,387 firms in 20 countries this ECB Working Paper compares credit demand and credit supply for firms in Eastern Europe to those for firms in selected Western European countries. The paper finds that firms in Eastern Europe have a higher need for credit than firms in Western Europe, and that a higher share of firms is discouraged from applying for a loan.