Finance

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

EU budget 2009: EUROCHAMBRES urges even more resources for 'competitiveness' — 08 May 2008, 00:52 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

2008 Convergence Report of the European Commission — 07 May 2008, 17:56 CET

The European Commission concluded on 7 May 2008 that Slovakia meets the criteria for adopting the euro and made a proposal to the Council to this effect. The regular Convergence Report on euro readiness, adopted by the Commission, shows that the other nine countries with a so-called 'derogation' have made progress on the road to the single currency, but do not yet meet all the conditions for euro adoption. The Council of EU finance ministers (ECOFIN) will take the final decision on the adoption of the euro in Slovakia in July, after Parliament has given its opinion and EU heads of state and government have discussed the subject at their summit meeting in June.

Report on fraud regarding non cash means of payments in the EU: the implementation of the 2004-2007 EU Action Plan — 30 April 2008, 00:20 CET

The European Commission has published a report on the actions undertaken on prevention of payment fraud between 2004 and 2007 following an Action Plan on this matter. This report shows that the security of means of payment and payment systems is a necessary condition for improving consumer confidence and trust in new payment services. From a regulatory point of view, the security of means of payment has been addressed in recent legislation, namely in Payment Services Directive, and also the third Money Laundering Directive by means of the "know your customer" obligations. The development of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) by industry will provide an opportunity to build on the legislative framework to increase both security and trust.

CEA comments on key Solvency II issues — 28 April 2008, 22:31 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Spring economic forecasts 2008 - 2009 — 28 April 2008, 15:56 CET

EU Macro-economic forecasts: growth moderates, price pressures a worry but, overall, EU weathers external headwinds rather well.

Settlement Finality and Financial Collateral Directives - guide — 24 April 2008, 14:27 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

F.E.E. supports Commission's measures to reduce excessive administrative burdens — 23 April 2008, 16:45 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Quarterly report on the euro area - March 2008 — 27 March 2008, 12:40 CET

The economy has to contend with strengthening external headwinds but the euro area is showing resilience helped by strong growth in emerging markets, shows the latest Quarterly Report on the Euro Area (QREA). The most recent hard and soft data are consistent with the growth forecast announced on 21 February. The Report also looks at why growth and inflation have become more stable in industrialised countries in recent decades, a phenomenon economists refer to as the 'Great Moderation'. It shows that labour market reforms have succeeded in increasing employment levels but that there is a growing divide on the labour market, with the burden of reform falling on those not subject to standard labour contracts. It also shows that the economies of the Member States are reacting differently to the ongoing inflationary pressures. Finally, in its focus section, the QREA argues that East Asia could take inspiration from the European economic and monetary experience to the benefit of the region and indeed the whole world.

EuroCommerce welcomes the Commission investigation into Visa Europe — 27 March 2008, 01:47 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

CEA sets out concerns over EC's VAT review — 11 March 2008, 00:19 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Transparency of Debtors assets - guide — 06 March 2008, 14:32 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Solvency II: CEA reiterates position on SMEs and group supervision — 06 March 2008, 13:17 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Financial assistance to the Western Balkans - Donor cooperation — 05 March 2008, 16:33 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Regional cooperation in South East Europe: main initiatives — 05 March 2008, 16:20 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Commission Communication on Financial Stability - guide — 27 February 2008, 23:21 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Sovereign wealth funds and financial stability - guide — 27 February 2008, 18:53 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Interim Economic Forecasts, February 2008 — 21 February 2008, 23:16 CET

The global economy is cooling and the financial turmoil still ongoing. So far, the European economy has weathered these headwinds relatively well, but can no longer escape unaffected. Growth is revised down by 0.4 pp. in 2008 and the high inflation is fading only gradually. Interim Economic Forecasts, February 2008 from the European Commission.

Institutionalised Public-Private Partnerships - Commission guidance — 19 February 2008, 18:41 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

EU Stability and Growth Pact — 30 January 2008, 12:32 CET

The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) is a rule-based framework for the coordination of national fiscal policies in the economic and monetary union (EMU). It was established to safeguard sound public finances, an important requirement for EMU to function properly. The Pact consists of a preventive and a dissuasive arm.

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) - guide — 28 January 2008, 20:24 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA): cost-benefit study — 28 January 2008, 20:23 CET

The European Commission has published a major study into the costs, benefits and opportunities created by SEPA (the Single Euro Payments Area) which was formally launched on 28 January 2008. The study shows that in the most favourable scenario the net benefits to payments markets over the next six years could amount to as much as EUR 123 billion with users gaining most. However, this calls for rapid and full migration from existing national payment products to the new SEPA payment instruments. The study also estimates that if SEPA can be used as a platform for e-invoicing there are further potential gains of EUR 238 billion.

Commission ruled against MasterCard Multilateral Interchange Fee - Eurocommerce — 20 December 2007, 11:28 CET

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EC prohibits MasterCard's intra-EEA Multilateral Interchange Fees - guide — 19 December 2007, 23:51 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

Contraband and counterfeit cigarettes - guide — 14 December 2007, 23:47 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.

EU budget 2008: breakdown — 13 December 2007, 16:58 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about Economic and Monetary Affairs policies in the European Union.