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Business news and information from the European Union

Commission confirms Spain, Portugal missed budgetary targets — 12 July 2016, 00:09 CET

The European Commission confirmed Thursday that Spain and Portugal will not correct their excessive deficit by recommended deadlines, and that they risk financial sanctions.

MEPs veto alertness claims for energy drinks — 12 July 2016, 00:09 CET

Euro-MPs voted on Thursday to veto European Commission plans to allow claims that sugary drinks and energy drinks containing caffeine boost 'alertness' or 'concentration'.

McDonald's wins Mac trade mark dispute at EU Court — 07 July 2016, 23:50 CET

The EU Court ruled Monday that the repute of McDonald’s trade marks makes it possible to prevent registration of trade marks which combine the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' with the name of a food or drink.

Europe increases its 'resource productivity' - Eurostat report — 07 July 2016, 17:22 CET

Resource productivity increased to 2.00 EUR/kg in 2015 from 1.48 EUR/kg in 2000, an increase of 35.4% in real terms, according to new figures from Eurostat, the EU's statistics agency.

MEPs call for more ambitious A-G scale for energy labels — 07 July 2016, 12:24 CET

The EU Parliament voted Wednesday for a simpler and more stringent A to G scale for energy labels showing the energy efficiency of household appliances to keep pace with technological progress.

Euro-Parliament gives green light to emission curbs for off-road machinery — 07 July 2016, 12:22 CET

Euro-MPs backed Wednesday plans to update EU type approval rules and emission limits for internal combustion engines in non-road mobile machinery such as lawn mowers, bulldozers and diesel locomotives.

EU outlines next steps in fight against tax avoidance — 07 July 2016, 00:17 CET

In the light of the recent Panama Papers media leaks, the EU Commission outlined Tuesday its next steps in efforts boost tax transparency in order to fight tax evasion and avoidance in the EU.

Brussels sends Canada trade deal to EU states for ratification — 06 July 2016, 23:53 CET

The European Commission gave in to political pressure Tuesday and sent the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between the EU and Canada to EU governments for signature.

'Rats fleeing a sinking ship' - MEPs denounce Brexit campaigners — 06 July 2016, 12:22 CET

Brexit campaigners in the UK referendum came in for strong criticism in a European Parliament debate on last week's summit. However, many MEPs said the people should be listened to and reform was needed.

EU clamps down on terrorism financing — 05 July 2016, 23:45 CET

The European Commission proposed Tuesday to strengthen EU rules on anti-money laundering in a bid to counter terrorist financing and increase transparency about who really owns companies and trusts.

EU cybersecurity deal could trigger EUR 1.8bn investment — 05 July 2016, 19:34 CET

An EU deal to strengthen Europe's cybersecurity sector and provide stronger protection against cyber-attacks could trigger investment of EUR 1.8 billion by 2020, the Commission said on Tuesday.

Brexit to overshadow Slovakia's EU presidency — 05 July 2016, 19:32 CET

The result of the UK referendum overshadowed the launch of Slovakia's first-ever EU presidency on 1 July, as the College of Commissioners met the Slovak Government in Bratislava.

Barcelona, Real Madrid 'in breach of EU state aid rules' — 05 July 2016, 16:55 CET

Barcelona and Real Madrid were among seven Spanish football clubs deemed by the European Commission Monday to have been granted unfair advantage under EU state aid rules.

2017 EU Budget prioritises growth, jobs and migrant crisis — 04 July 2016, 00:20 CET

A draft EU Budget for 2017 of EUR 134.9 bn, proposed by the EU Commission, focuses on supporting recovery of the economy and addressing Europe's border and immigration challenges.

EU agrees outline position on external fishing fleets — 01 July 2016, 12:24 CET

EU states reached a compromise deal Tuesday on the sustainable management of external fishing fleets, aiming to modernise the management of authorisations granted to EU vessels to fish outside EU waters.

Cross-border family disputes: new proposals to protect children — 01 July 2016, 00:59 CET

New proposals covering cross-border parental responsibility disputes were set out by the European Commission Thursday, relating to custody, access rights and child abduction.

Deep-sea fishing below 800 metres to be banned under outline deal — 30 June 2016, 23:40 CET

MEPs and ministers struck a deal Thursday to ban fishing in the North-East Atlantic below a depth of 800 meters. The ban applies to bottom trawling and restricts deep-sea fishing to where it took place between 2009 and 2011.

EU opens new chapter in Turkey membership talks — 30 June 2016, 23:38 CET

The EU opened a new chapter on financial and budgetary provisions in accession talks with Turkey Thursday - the twelfth meeting of the country's accession conference at ministerial level.

No 'a la carte' single market for the UK — 30 June 2016, 16:10 CET

There will be no single market 'a la carte', EU Council president Donald Tusk told Britain following an informal meeting of the leaders of the European Union in Brussels Wednesday.

EU spending needs closer link between education and employment: EU auditors — 30 June 2016, 13:23 CET

EU funding on education, while in line with EU objectives, does not always establish a clear link with its impact on employability, according to a new report from the European Court of Auditors.

EU Parliament calls for swift UK exit — 28 June 2016, 17:20 CET

In a heated debate over the result of the UK's referendum on EU membership, MEPs called for a swift exit for the UK, by officially withdrawing from the EU before any new relationship arrangements can be made.

Future of the European Union on summit agenda — 27 June 2016, 15:59 CET

EU leaders will meet at a summit on Brussels Wednesday to debate the future of the European Union, following the shock result of last week's British referendum on EU membership.

Britain votes to leave the European Union — 24 June 2016, 09:12 CET

In a historic vote, voters in Britain voted to leave the European Union. 52% voted to leave, 48% to remain. England and Wales voted for Brexit, but Scotland, Northern Ireland and London backed staying in the EU.

EU confirms agreement on European Border and Coast Guard — 23 June 2016, 22:52 CET

The EU confirmed Wednesday a compromise text agreed with the European Parliament on the proposed regulation on the European Border and Coast Guard.

MEPs vote in new rules on property settlement in divorces — 23 June 2016, 22:36 CET

MEPs approved Thursday new rules for deciding which country’s courts should settle property disputes in divorce or death cases involving international couples or registered partnerships.