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Business news and information from the European Union

EUR 371m fine for investment banks cartel — 20 May 2021, 18:31 CET

Seven investment banks were found Thursday to have breached EU antitrust rules through participation of traders in a cartel in the primary and secondary market for European Government Bonds.

EU eases criteria for restrictions on non-essential travel — 20 May 2021, 18:31 CET

Responding to ongoing vaccination campaigns, the EU announced Thursday the introduction of certain waivers for vaccinated travellers and an easing of criteria for restrictions for third countries.

EU agrees new draft rules for highly skilled migrant workers — 18 May 2021, 18:48 CET

The European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional deal Tuesday on new rules for the entry and residence of highly skilled workers from outside the EU under the revised Blue Card Directive.

Sustainable blue economy to support EU's green recovery — 18 May 2021, 17:46 CET

A new approach for a sustainable blue economy, proposed Monday by the EU Commission for industries and sectors related to oceans, seas and coasts, aims to assure them a green recovery from the pandemic.

New tax rules to help EU business to recovery — 18 May 2021, 17:46 CET

The European Commission set out its plans for a new business taxation system Tuesday, promising a more robust, efficient and fair system to support Europe's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

EU aims for zero pollution in air, water and soil — 17 May 2021, 23:18 CET

The EU Commission set out Wednesday an integrated vision for 2050, where pollution is reduced to levels no longer harmful to human health and natural ecosystems, as well as the steps to get there.

EU upgrades outlook for economic growth — 17 May 2021, 23:18 CET

The European Commission upgraded its forecasts for the EU and euro area economies Wednesday, as people's lives gradually return to normal, but it warned that many risks continue to hang over the region.

EU, India strengthen strategic partnership on connectivity, trade — 13 May 2021, 00:23 CET

The European Union and India concluded at the weekend a connectivity partnership, and agreed to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement and launch talks on an investment protection agreement.

Brussels looks to ease restrictions on non-essential travel — 11 May 2021, 00:47 CET

The Commission proposed Monday an easing of current restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU to take into account progress of vaccination campaigns and the worldwide epidemiological situation.

Updated EU industrial strategy focuses on sustainable recovery — 11 May 2021, 00:47 CET

The European Commission presented an updated Industrial Strategy Wednesday with a focus on sustainable economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and on the building future resilience.

Apple music streaming app breaches competition rules, says EU — 06 May 2021, 00:39 CET

Apple's App Store has abusesd its dominant position for the distribution of music streaming apps by distorting competition in the music market, the EU Commission said Friday in a preliminary finding.

EU upgrades rights for rail passengers — 05 May 2021, 00:32 CET

Under the new revised rules on rail passengers' rights adopted by MEPs on Thursday, train passengers will be better protected when there are delays and cancellations or when they face discrimination.

EU gives one hour deadline to remove online terrorist content — 30 April 2021, 23:11 CET

Internet platforms will have one hour to remove or disable access to flagged terrorist content following the EU Parliament's go-ahead Wednesday for a new law to address dissemination of terrorist content.

EU Parliament votes to approve EU-UK trade deal — 30 April 2021, 00:13 CET

The European Parliament voted by a large majority late Tuesday to give its formal approval to the agreement setting the rules for the future relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom.

EU agrees loan facility to support just climate transition — 28 April 2021, 12:45 CET

EU presidency and European Parliament negotiators reached provisional agreement Monday on a new public sector loan facility to support the transition towards a climate-neutral economy in the EU.

EU legislators strike provisional deal on European climate law — 26 April 2021, 23:51 CET

EU co-legislators set a target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030 Wednesday, laying down a framework for EU climate-related legislation for the next 30 years.

New EU legal framework for AI sets standards for trust — 26 April 2021, 23:51 CET

The EU Commission proposed Wednesday a first-ever legal framework on artificial intelligence, with guarantees of safety and fundamental rights while strengthening AI uptake, investment and innovation.

EU extends customs, VAT waiver for imports of medical protective equipment — 21 April 2021, 00:19 CET

The Commission extended Monday the temporary waiver of customs duties and Value Added Tax on imports from non-EU countries of medical protective equipment used in the fight against COVID-19.

European rail companies fined EUR 48m for customer allocation cartel — 21 April 2021, 00:13 CET

The European Commission fined Austrian, Belgian and German railway companies a total of EUR 48 million Tuesday for breaching EU antitrust rules by taking part in a customer allocation cartel.

Road death rate in Europe falls to all-time low — 21 April 2021, 00:11 CET

An estimated 18,800 people were killed in a road crash last year, an unprecedented annual fall of 17% on 2019, preliminary figures from the EU Commission on road fatalities for 2020 showed Tuesday.

EU concludes partnership talks with Africa-Caribbean-Pacific countries — 19 April 2021, 23:38 CET

Talks on a Post-Cotonou Agreement between the EU and Africa-Caribbean-Pacific states formally concluded Friday, setting the political and economic cooperation framework for the next twenty years.

EU prepares to raise EUR 800 bn to finance recovery — 19 April 2021, 23:38 CET

The EU Commission took steps Wednesday to ensure that borrowing under its 'NextGenerationEU' funding for post-Covid recovery is financed on the most advantageous terms for EU states.

Brussels adopts greener state aid guidelines for EU regions — 19 April 2021, 23:37 CET

The Commission revised its regional state aid guidelines Monday, setting out the rules under which EU states can grant aid to companies to support economic development in disadvantaged regions.

Brussels looks to exempt vital EU services from VAT — 17 April 2021, 00:00 CET

The European Commission proposed Monday to exempt from VAT goods and services made available by the Commission, EU bodies and agencies to Member States and citizens during times of crisis.

EU funds urgent research into combatting Covid variants — 12 April 2021, 21:54 CET

The EU Commission announced Wednesday it is mobilising EUR 123 million from its new EU research and innovation programme Horizon Europe, for urgent research into coronavirus variants.