EU Publications

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.

EU Budget 2012 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 23 January 2012, 23:20 CET

Following the agreement reached by the Conciliation Committee composed of the representatives of the European Parliament and of the Council and after the final vote in the European Parliament, its President, Mr. Jerzy Buzek, declared the 2012 EU budget definitively adopted on 1 December 2011.

The Future of Europe - Towards a Two-Speed EU? by The European Bookshop — last modified 17 January 2012, 22:53 CET

The European Union is in crisis. Public unease with the project, Euro problems and dysfunctional institutions give rise to the real danger that the European Union will become increasing irrelevant just as its member states face more and more challenges of a globalised world. Jean-Claude Piris, a leading figure in the conception and drafting of the EU's legal structures, tackles the issues head on with a sense of urgency and with candour. The book works through the options available in light of the economic and political climate, assessing their effectiveness. By so doing, the author reaches the (for some) radical conclusion that the solution is to permit 'two-speed' development: allowing an inner core to move towards closer economic and political union, which will protect the Union as a whole. Compelling, critical and current, this book is essential reading for all those interested in the future of Europe.

Programme and priorities for the Danish Presidency by EUbusiness — last modified 12 January 2012, 18:22 CET

The programme for the Danish presidency was officially presented on 6 January at a press conference in Copenhagen. In the programme it will be possible to read more about the most important issues on the agenda during the next six months, including the four fundamental priorities for the Danish Presidency: A responsible Europe; A dynamic Europe; A green Europe; A safe Europe.

'Assessment of budgetary implementation in the context of the ongoing Excessive Deficit Procedures after the Commission Services' 2011 Autumn Forecast by EUbusiness — last modified 11 January 2012, 15:41 CET

The European Commission concluded that Hungary has not made sufficient progress towards a timely and sustainable correction of its excessive deficit and proposes to move to the next stage of the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP)

Improved cross-border payment services - Commission staff working document summary of the impact assessment by EUbusiness — last modified 21 December 2011, 23:33 CET

The deal reached by MEPs and Member State negotiators lays down EU-wide rules which should ensure that payment service providers compete fairly, eliminate hidden national bank charges, and accelerate transfers. This could save up to €123 billion within six years, benefiting clients, banks, and businesses.

'Youth Opportunities Initiative' Communication by EUbusiness — last modified 20 December 2011, 18:15 CET

The new 'Youth Opportunities Initiative' Communication, adopted by the European Commission, calls on EU Member State to work on preventing early school leaving; helping youngsters develop skills relevant to the labour market; ensuring work experience and on-the-job training and helping young people find a first good job. The Commission is also urging Member States to make better use of the European Social Fund which still has €30billion of funding uncommitted to projects. In addition, the Commission has put forward a set of concrete actions to be financed directly by EU funds.

Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2011 by EUbusiness — last modified 15 December 2011, 16:30 CET

The economic, financial and sovereign debt crises and subsequent austerity measures underline the need for a more integrated approach to employment and social policy. This review merges two previous European Commission reports on these areas. It begins with an overview of the current European employment and social situation before looking at recent shifts in Europe's job structure and in income inequality. The review then examines patterns of poverty and social exclusion in Europe and the phenomenon of in-work poverty. Issues of active ageing, intra-EU labour mobility and the impact of enlargement are also covered. The review is available in English only.

ECA special report No 13/2011 on whether the control of customs procedure 42 prevents and detects Value Added Tax (VAT) evasion by EUbusiness — last modified 13 December 2011, 18:43 CET

Customs procedure 42 is the regime an importer uses in order to obtain a VAT exemption when the imported goods will be transported to another Member State. In the absence of proper control, goods risk remaining in the Member State of importation without payment of VAT or being consumed in the Member State of destination without VAT being charged there. The report found that control of this procedure in seven selected Member States is deficient and has led to significant VAT losses. The report recommends, inter alia, improving the communication of key data within and between Member States, encouraging the automatic verification of VAT identification numbers, creating a common EU risk profile for imports under procedure 42 and encouraging action on a proposed amendment of the VAT directive.

The International Role of the Euro 2011 by Ina Dimireva — last modified 28 December 2011, 13:02 CET

This is the tenth annual review of the international role of the euro published by the ECB. It presents the main findings of the continued monitoring and analysis by the ECB and the Eurosystem of the developments, determinants and implications of the use of the euro by non-euro area residents.

The future of VAT - EC Communication by EUbusiness — last modified 06 December 2011, 18:47 CET

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee on the future of VAT - Towards a simpler, more robust and efficient VAT system tailored to the single market.

Understanding the Common Agricultural Policy by The European Bookshop — last modified 01 December 2011, 13:39 CET

The majority of recent publications on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union address current issues and specific applications. There is little available which attempts to increase understanding of the nature of existing policies, their development, intentions, problems and successes. The aim of this book is to improve knowledge and understanding of the ‘policy process’ and its application to the CAP, focussing on the principles of policy analysis. For while the details of agricultural and environmental policies evolve, the principles upon which they are based endure. The author uses economics as a basis for his exploration, as fairly simple economics holds the key to understanding many of the fundamental pressures to which agriculture and rural areas are subject. He explains the importance of the political and administrative context in which the process occurs, acknowledging the influence of environmental and sociological concerns. Such knowledge of the conceptual framework of the ‘policy process’ and its application to the CAP is essential for all concerned with agriculture and rural livelihoods, both within the European Union and in those countries trading with the EU. This includes both students and professionals. The book provides an understanding of these principles in terms of how and why policy changes, thus increasing the efficiency and efficacy of the process.

The European Union in the Security of Europe - From Cold War to Terror War by The European Bookshop — last modified 01 December 2011, 13:36 CET

This book examines the European Union’s contribution to providing security in Europe amidst an increasingly complex and challenging environment. In this new and comprehensive guide to the EU's role in security since the end of the Cold War, the authors offer an explanation of EU internal and external security regimes, and argue that the Union has become an important exporter of security within its region. However, the Union’s rhetorical ambitions and commitments continue to outstrip its capabilities and it lacks both a common conceptualisation of security and a meaningful, shared strategic culture. Drawing extensively on primary sources the book examines the Union’s relations with the US and Russia in a time of shifting geostrategic calculations and priorities. With the EU capacity for enlargement slowing, this text presents a detailed assessment of EU security policies towards Central Europe, the Mediterranean, the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and South Caucasus. European Union Security will be of interest to students and scholars of the EU, security studies, and international relations.

Comitology: Hijacking European Power? New Edition October 2011 by The European Bookshop — last modified 01 December 2011, 13:32 CET

Will administration bypass politics with the new Lisbon Treaty? What consequences and means of action? 50 directives are adopted each year under co-decision against 2.500 regulations in comitology. This technocratic drift covers all current issues: rosé wines, body scanners, GMOs... People understand the word "comitology" to mean a higher, mysterious and non-transparent power. The Lisbon Treaty introduces another comitology reform but it is as yet unclear what comitology will look like after the reform and how it will be implemented.

Regulation establishing a programme to support further development of an integrated maritime policy by EUbusiness — last modified 24 November 2011, 17:23 CET

The Council today adopted a regulation establishing an EU programme to further promote the development and the implementation of the EU's integrated maritime policy.

Minimizing regulatory burden for SMEs - Adapting EU regulation to the needs of micro-enterprises by EUbusiness — last modified 23 November 2011, 23:17 CET

The Commission today presents a new approach to ensure that the EU responds better to the needs of small businesses. From now on, the European Commission will seek wherever possible to exempt micro-enterprises from EU legislation or introduce special regimes so as to minimise the regulatory burden on them. In a report to the Council and the European Parliament, the Commission presents a list of initiatives of this kind already taken and to be examined for the future. It announces stronger means to ensure the input of micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the formulation of new EU initiatives. As of January 2012 the Commission will further: 1) step up the search for exemptions or lighter requirements for micro-enterprises in existing and new EU legislation; 2) strengthen the processes by which micro-enterprises and other SMEs are consulted when reviewing existing EU regulation and preparing new EU laws; 3) produce annual scoreboards to evaluate the real benefits for businesses and to ensure a continuing focus on their needs and interests.

Accuracy and Precision - Prioritising and Organising - Preparing for European institution AST competitions by The European Bookshop — last modified 17 November 2011, 23:32 CET

This book is aimed at all candidates taking part in European institution AST competitions who wish to prepare in the best possible way for the accuracy and precision test and the prioritising and organising test. The accuracy and precision test depends on observation. Candidates have to compare two tables and spot the differences between them (misspelt names, reversed figures, etc). The difficulty of the test lies in the time allotted: you will have to answer 40 questions in 6 minutes! To succeed, you will need to develop your visual concentration skills and overcome the stress associated with time pressure. The prioritising and organising test demands a rigorous and methodical approach. It includes timetabling problems (organising a journey or schedule management) and constraint optimisation problems (choosing the best possible option after taking certain constraints into account). To succeed, you must interpret a table correctly and be able to transcribe a question in the form of an equation (timetabling problems) or a series of instructions (constraint optimisation problems). Entry competitions for European institutions are highly selective. To succeed in the accuracy and precision tests and in the prioritising and organising tests is, above all, a matter of method and training. This book will help you to significantly increase your chances of success. It contains: - a detailed methodology, illustrated by numerous examples; - 80 accuracy and precision questions; - 72 prioritising and organising questions; - a detailed explanation of the answer to each question. The questions provided here are similar to those set in the AST competitions held by EPSO from 2010 onwards.

Scientific Opinion on the risk posed by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and other pathogenic bacteria in seeds and sprouted seeds by EUbusiness — last modified 15 November 2011, 19:27 CET

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the public health risk of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC)[1] and other pathogenic bacteria that may contaminate seeds intended for sprouting and sprouted seeds (sprouts, shoots and cress). Recognising that sprouted seeds are generally consumed raw or minimally processed, the Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ Panel) concludes that sprouted seeds are ready-to-eat foods with food safety concerns because certain pathogenic bacteria can contaminate seeds and grow during sprouting. Furthermore, preventing initial contamination during production, storage and distribution of seeds is of the foremost importance, as sprouted seeds have the potential to cause large food-borne outbreaks. Operators producing sprouted seeds should strive to implement additional food safety management measures[2] across the whole sprout production chain. Stakeholders at all parts of the production chain and consumers, including also those practising home-sprouting, should be informed of the food safety risk posed by sprouted seeds.