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Business news and information from the European Union

EU signs trade agreement with Vietnam — 01 July 2019, 16:52 CET

The EU and Vietnam signed in Hanoi the EU-Vietnam trade and investment protection agreements Sunday, the most ambitious free trade deal between the EU and an emerging economy to date.

EU reaches agreement with Mercosur on huge trade deal — 30 June 2019, 22:49 CET

The EU and the Mercosur trading bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil Paraguay and Uruguay reached a political agreement on Friday on a comprehensive trade deal - the largest the EU has ever concluded.

EU lifts Taiwan's yellow card for illegal fishing following reforms — 30 June 2019, 22:46 CET

The EU lifted its illegal fishing 'yellow card' against Taiwan Thursday in recognition of the country's upgrading its legal and administrative systems to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

First 17 'European Universities' selected — 27 June 2019, 22:57 CET

The European Commission announced Wednesday the higher education institutions from all over Europe that will be part of the first “European Universities” alliances.

New EU cybersecurity certification rules in force — 27 June 2019, 17:14 CET

The EU's Cybersecurity Act, agreed by negotiators in December 2018, entered into force Thursday, providing Europe with a framework of cybersecurity certification of products, processes and services.

EU funding to modernise air traffic management 'largely unnecessary': auditors — 26 June 2019, 13:53 CET

While the EU's regulation for the modernisation of air traffic management has added value, EU funding to support ATM projects was largely unnecessary, says the EU Court of Auditors in a report.

Asylum applications to EU on the increase in 2019 — 25 June 2019, 21:11 CET

Asylum applications in the EU increased in the first five months of 2019, though an annual report out Monday showed a decrease for the third consecutive year in 2018, returning to pre-crisis levels.

Lowering Polish judges' retirement age unlawful: EU top Court — 25 June 2019, 00:48 CET

Polish legislation to lower the retirement age of Supreme Court judges breaches EU law, the EU's top Court ruled Monday, going against principles of the irremovability of judges and judicial independence.

EU will not reopen talks on UK withdrawal agreement — 24 June 2019, 14:03 CET

Ending their two-day summit Friday, EU heads of state and government looked forward to a new UK prime minister, but said they would not reopen negotiations on Britain's withdrawal agreement.

National climate plans lack ambition, says Brussels — 24 June 2019, 14:00 CET

Member States' plans to implement EU objectives for meeting energy and climate targets fall short on renewables and energy efficiency, the Commission said Wednesday in its assessment of the plans.

adidas 3-stripe trademark invalid: EU Court — 20 June 2019, 23:57 CET

The adidas EU trade mark, which consists of three parallel stripes applied in any direction, is invalid, the EU's top Court ruled Wednesday, as the firm failed to prove the mark's distinctive character.

EU agrees aid package for Irish beef producers — 20 June 2019, 23:36 CET

EU Member States agreed Thursday to make EUR 50 million available to support Irish beef farmers, which can be matched by national funds to reach a maximum of EUR 100 million.

Barriers to European trade continue upward trend — 19 June 2019, 23:22 CET

Barriers to trade encountered by European companies trading in foreign markets cost EU businesses billions of euros every year, a new EU report said Monday, with China and Russia the worst culprits.

EU's Emergency Travel Document ready for take-off — 19 June 2019, 23:21 CET

EU ministers gave final approval Wednesday to consular protection for unrepresented EU citizens in third countries by simplifying the issuing of safe and widely accepted emergency travel documents.

EU cites Russian interference in European elections — 19 June 2019, 18:14 CET

The EU Commission said Friday it had found evidence of coordinated behaviour to spread disinformation in the run-up to the recent European elections, particularly from Russian sources.

EU increases aid to Europe's beekeeping sector — 17 June 2019, 23:17 CET

The European Commission announced Monday it is to provide EUR 120 million to the EU's beekeeping sector over the next three years, in order to support its essential role in agriculture and the environment.

EU promises 'maximum transparency' in scientific food safety studies — 17 June 2019, 22:58 CET

EU ministers gave the green light Thursday to ending secrecy around scientific studies on food safety, with requirements for transparency in scientific information to support risk assessment in the food chain.

EU blocks ThyssenKrupp-Tata Steel joint venture — 13 June 2019, 23:56 CET

The EU Commission gave the thumbs down Tuesday to a proposed joint venture between major steelmakers Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp, saying it would have reduced competition and increased prices.

Euro drop hits cost of living for Europeans in USA — 13 June 2019, 16:17 CET

Europe now accounts for less than a fifth (19 per cent) of the world’s most expensive cities, with 11 European cities dropping out of the top 100, according to ECA International's latest Cost of Living report.

New EU shareholders' rights rules enter into force — 12 June 2019, 00:11 CET

The new Shareholder Rights Directive, which entered into force on Monday, addresses corporate governance shortcomings that contributed to the financial crisis, says the EU Commission.

Safeguards for children in criminal proceedings apply across the EU — 12 June 2019, 00:11 CET

New rules and guarantees in criminal proceedings apply across the EU from Tuesday, when a directive on special safeguards for children starts to apply.

Europe's bathing waters get mostly clean bill of health — 11 June 2019, 17:44 CET

Just over 85 per cent of bathing water sites monitored across Europe last year met the EU's highest 'excellent' and most stringent quality standards for water cleanliness, says its annual bathing water report.

Cocaine seizures in Europe hit all-time high: EU drugs report — 06 June 2019, 23:42 CET

Seizures of cocaine are at record levels in Europe, with signs of an increase in the drug's availability, according to the European Drug Report released by the EU's drugs agency on Thursday.

More wind, solar power needed if EU is to meet renewables targets — 06 June 2019, 23:37 CET

The EU needs to take significant action to generate more electricity from wind and solar power and meet its targets on renewables, according to a report by the European Court of Auditors, out Thursday.

Italy set for EU reprimand over excessive debt — 06 June 2019, 17:43 CET

An Excessive Deficit Procedure is warranted against Italy over its rising debt, the European Commission said Wednesday in its 'Spring Package' recommendations for EU Member States' economies.