EU Publications

A simplification agenda for the 2014-2020 MFF by EUbusiness — last modified 08 February 2012, 23:29 CET

The European Commission has adopted a Communication on the simplification of access to EU funds in the next financial period (2014-2020). Within the framework of the MFF 2014-2020, both in the proposal from 29 June 2011, and in the sector-specific proposals, the Commission presented many simplification measures. Through this Communication the Commission demonstrates that the objective of simplification must remain a main principle in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The current rules are both fragmented and complex; by simplifying them and by reducing red tape, we would allow the EU budget to contribute more to the economic growth in Europe through better access to funds for SMEs', local and regional authorities, scientists and others.

Cost optimal levels for energy performance requirements by Ina Dimireva — last modified 08 February 2012, 14:40 CET

The Concerted Action conducted a study on experiences and challenges for setting cost optimal levels for energy performance requirements. The results were used as input by the European Commission in their work of establishing the Regulation on a comparative methodology framework for calculating cost optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements.

Intelligent Energy - Europe Magazine - October 2011 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 08 February 2012, 12:19 CET

Intelligent Energy – Europe (IEE) magazine is a bi-annual magazine which brings you all the news on the IEE programme. Published by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness & Innovation (EACI) it contains information on the programme, views from the EACI and project managers on the ground. The leading topic of the latest issue of the magazine is "Renewable energy: A new era".

EU Financial assistance for the decommissioning of nuclear plants in Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia: Achievements and Future Challenges - ECA Special Report No 16/2011 by EUbusiness — last modified 08 February 2012, 11:39 CET

In the framework of the EU accession negotiations, Bulgaria, Lithuania and Slovakia committed to the early closure and decommissioning of eight nuclear reactors, thus facing a significant production capacity loss. The Court assessed the effectiveness of the EU financial assistance (2 850 million euro up to now) in supporting recipient countries’ efforts to decommission their closed nuclear reactors and to address the consequences of the early closure. The Court found that progress has been slow, no comprehensive assessment of future needs exists, and available funding is plainly insufficient. The Court recommended making conditional any further support upon an evaluation of the EU added value.

Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011 by EUbusiness — last modified 08 February 2012, 00:04 CET

The Innovation Union Scoreboard includes innovation indicators and trend analyses for the EU27 Member States, as well as for Croatia, Iceland, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and Turkey. It also includes comparisons based on a more reduced set of indicators between the EU27 and 10 global competitors.

CEER Vision for a European Gas Target Model by Ina Dimireva — last modified 07 February 2012, 09:06 CET

European energy regulators committed to produce a vision paper on a conceptual model for European gas markets (the “gas target model”). The current conclusions paper sets out the vision for the European Gas Market in 2014 and beyond. Furthermore, this paper proposes measures to achieve the goal of the Internal Energy Market by 2014 in line with the commitment of the European Council of 4 February 2011.

The European offshore wind industry key 2011 trends and statistics by Ina Dimireva — last modified 04 February 2012, 16:02 CET

The report assesses the 2011 European offshore wind power market and trends.

Wind directions February 2012: Bridging the gaps by Ina Dimireva — last modified 04 February 2012, 15:44 CET

Wind Directions is the magazine of the European wind energy industry. The focus of the first issue of 2012 is the topic grids and the single energy market.

Competition Law - 7th Ed by The European Bookshop — last modified 02 February 2012, 21:19 CET

* One of the most definitive and thorough books on competition law available, written by one of the world's most respected academics in the field, providing students with everything they need in one complete stand-alone resource. * The acclaimed critical and contextual approach addresses the wider economic and practical realities of competition law and brings competition law to life making it straightforward to follow for students of all levels. * Written with a clear style, this highly insightful book is the definitive text on competition law for students and practitioners alike. * The accompanying Online Resource Centre includes additional articles by the author, web links, author video podcasts, and an updated table of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) decisions

Trade between EU and West Africa, 2000-2010 - Issue number 5/2012 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 31 January 2012, 23:04 CET

This publication focuses on ECOWAS, the Economic Community of West African States. In 2010 the EU-27 had a trade surplus with the ECOWAS countries in goods and, in 2009, in services. Imports and exports both rose strongly in 2010 recovering from the financial crisis. Mineral fuels (crude oil imports from Nigeria) made up two thirds of EU-27 imports from ECOWAS, whilst petroleum products accounted for nearly a third of EU-27 exports.

Tourism in Europe: Occupancy of tourist accommodation surpasses the pre-crisis level - Issue number 8/2012 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 31 January 2012, 22:50 CET

First results for 2010-2011 evolution of tourism in Europe, focusing on nights spent in collective accommodation establishments, but also looking at holiday trips made by EU residents.

Guide to the European Citizens’ Initiative by Ina Dimireva — last modified 31 January 2012, 00:02 CET

Through the European citizens’ initiative, one million EU citizens will be able to invite the European Commission to make a legislative proposal. A successful initiative may therefore be instrumental in setting the EU legislative agenda. This guide explains what the citizens’ initiative is about, how to sign up to initiatives and how to organise your own initiative should you have an idea for EU legislation that you think could gain the support of one million EU citizens.

Building trust in the Digital Single Market for e-commerce and online services by Ina Dimireva — last modified 27 January 2012, 12:10 CET

The European Commission is proposing 16 measures aiming to double online retail sales by 2015 by providing better protection for consumers, more information and a wider range of choices.

Panorama Magazine Nr 40 - Winter 2011/2012 - Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 investing in Europe's Regions by Ina Dimireva — last modified 27 January 2012, 12:06 CET

Panorama Magazine is the quarterly magazine of the actors of regional development. This edition of Panorama gives you an overview of the Commission’s proposals for cohesion policy after 2013 as well as comments from some of the key stakeholders.

Beginners' guide to EU public contracts by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 January 2012, 18:29 CET

How to tender for a Commission contract – with guidance on the different types of contract, finding a contract that's relevant to your business and filling out the forms.

Rising to the China challenge by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 January 2012, 17:53 CET

This report analyses the opportunities and challenges that China represents for European business.

ECB Monthly Bulletin - January 2012 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 January 2012, 00:55 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.

Towards an integrated European card payments market by Ina Dimireva — last modified 26 January 2012, 00:51 CET

In the card payments domain, considerable effort is still needed to achieve an integrated European market. This article presents a market overview and the economic principles and features of card payments. The article describes the main characteristics of the Single Euro Payments Area project and the mandate of the Eurosystem in the context of retail payments.

Enterprise & Industry Magazine - December 2011 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 24 January 2012, 18:54 CET

The Enterprise & Industry online magazine provides regular updates on policy development, on legislative proposals and their passage to adoption, and on the implementation and review of regulation affecting enterprises. Articles cover issues related to SMEs, innovation, entrepreneurship, the single market for goods, competitiveness and environmental protection, better regulation, industrial policies across a wide range of sectors, and more.

European Commission proposal for the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework by Ina Dimireva — last modified 23 January 2012, 23:35 CET

The multiannual financial framework is a mechanism for ensuring that EU spending is predictable and at the same time subject to strict budgetary discipline.