EU Business Blogs | EUbusiness.com
US-EU data transfer deal set for speedy implementation
The European Parliament gave its final green light to the historic EU-U.S. Data Protection 'Umbrella Agreement' on Thursday, despite concerns over whether president-elect Donald Trump might be less keen on its implementation.
Brexit II horror movie opens in the U.S.
Brexit II, sequel to the first Brexit horror movie shot in the United Kingdom, opened in the United States this week to shock and derision from most critics, though to some acclaim in Russia.
Europe need not be afraid of data
"Europe should not be afraid of data" said EU Commissioner Andrus Ansip at the Digital Assembly 2016 in Bratislava, Slovakia this week.
Progress not possible without international cooperation
Looking at the various developments in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg this week, it is clear that the only way to progress in this globalised world is through international cooperation.
High marks for investment plan creating jobs & growth in Europe
The European Commission this week announced it would build on the successful first year of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), extending it beyond 2018.
Single market gaps exposed by geo-blocking plan
Geo-blocking, refusing to sell to people living in other EU countries, is to be outlawed under plans to boost e-commerce in Europe. But what this proposal does is to expose the many remaining gaps in the Single Market.
MEPs defend EU industry against China's unfair trade practices
It was perhaps not too surprising that the European Parliament in plenary this week voted against granting Market Economy Status to China.
Greenpeace leaks increase pressure for TTIP transparency
The EU is under increasing pressure to be more open about what is being negotiated under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), following leaks by Greenpeace of classified documents from the TTIP trade talks.
Turning the Paris agreement on climate change into action
Following the signing of the Paris agreement on climate change in New York Friday, the hard work begins to ratify and implement it in the EU's 28 Member States.
Trade secrets directive: protecting companies from theft - and whistleblowers?
The new 'trade secrets' directive, passed by the European Parliament on Thursday, ensures protection for the work of journalists and whistle-blowers, says rapporteur Constance le Grip MEP. Not all are convinced.
Tax grilling for multinationals
The issue of tax avoidance and tax havens has caused much public concern for a while now, but actually dealing with it is taking some time. There was some drama this week, however, when representatives of the big bad multinationals finally appeared before the special European Parliament committee on tax rulings.
EU renews commitment to gender equality
International Women's Day on 8 March was an opportunity for the EU to assess progress on gender equality in Europe. Bringing out a report on gender equality, the Commission renewed a commitment to integrating equality for women and men into every EU policy across the board.
Mandatory lobby register on the cards
About time, some would say, as the European Commission this week launched a public consultation on making the EU lobby transparency regime mandatory.
Time to speed up EU's Net power
How digital are we? The European Commission brought out its Digital Economy and Society Index for 2016 (DESI) this week with a favourable report of progress since last year, but warning that a slowdown in the pace of progress threatened Europe's standing at the top table of the most digitalised countries in the world.
TiSA to open up new markets for EU services
Compared to other trade deals, the talks on a Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) have had a pretty smooth ride. TiSA came to the fore this week when Euro-MPs in plenary set out their guidelines for the deal to the Commission, which is negotiating on the EU's behalf.
Erasmus+ gains good grades, one year on
Three reviews of the EU's education funding out this week provided a positive evaluation of the first year of the Erasmus+ programme for education, training, youth and sport between 2014-2020.
2015 employment review exposes wide disparities in jobs situation in the Member States
Interesting facts emerge from what is generally a positive outlook on jobs in the EU's 2015 review of employment and social developments.
Towards a Circular Economy
While the world's leaders and environmental experts in Paris grapple with trying to agree a global deal on climate change, the European Commission this week set out new proposals for a 'circular economy' which have the potential to fundamentally change the way we live and do business.
Paris attacks: Europe's new reality
The attacks in Paris were an attack on our freedoms, an attack against our European values and our way of life, an attack against all of us, said president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz this week. "In our grief, we Europeans stand side to side with the French people."
Connecting Europe aims for better use of public money
The second year of the Juncker Commission continued this week with the investment theme, with the launch of a second call for proposals under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This will provide more than EUR 7.6 bn for key transport projects, with EUR 6.5 bn earmarked for countries with Cohesion Fund eligibility.
Michael Ter-Berg, Director
Nick Prag, Founder, EUbusiness