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Business news and information from the European Union

MEPs send copyright reform proposal back for rethink — 05 July 2018, 17:19 CET

The EU Parliament rejected Thursday a committee proposal to update EU copyright rules, including measures to monitor and filter uploads to the Internet some described as a 'vote for mass internet censorship'.

EU Auditors to examine VAT and customs duties in e-commerce — 05 July 2018, 14:09 CET

The European Court of Auditors announced Thursday it is to conduct an audit to find out how effectively the EU is addressing the challenges posed by e-commerce in terms of VAT and customs duties.

Ease of doing business compared for 25 European cities — 04 July 2018, 18:29 CET

A new report from the World Bank Tuesday assesses the support and obstacles entrepreneurs find in setting up and expanding businesses in 25 cities in Croatia, the Czech Republic, Portugal and Slovakia.

Auditors look into enforcement of EU competition rules — 03 July 2018, 18:31 CET

The European Court of Auditors announced Tuesday it is to conduct an audit of whether the European Commission has been effective in enforcing EU competition rules in the Single Market.

Migration top priority as Austria takes over EU presidency — 03 July 2018, 18:02 CET

"A Europe that protects" is the motto of the Austrian presidency of the Council of the EU, which the country took over from Bulgaria on 1 July, putting migration and security issues at the top of its priority list.

EU launches legal action over Poland's Supreme Court changes — 03 July 2018, 17:52 CET

The EU Commission launched an infringement procedure against Poland Monday over changes to Polish law on the Supreme Court, which it says undermines the principle of judicial independence.

Tariffs would damage US car industry, EU warns Trump — 03 July 2018, 17:51 CET

Imposing tariffs on imports of EU cars would damage US trade and its own car industry, the European Union warned Monday in formal comments to the United States Department of Commerce.

EU summit pledges solidarity in deal on migration — 29 June 2018, 11:57 CET

The EU summit agreed Friday to strengthen European solidarity in face of the migration crisis, calling for further measures to stem illegal migration and 'disembarkation platforms' for people saved at sea.

Baltic states sign energy synchronisation agreement with EU — 29 June 2018, 11:55 CET

The heads of state or government of Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland signed a roadmap Thursday for synchronising the Baltic States' electricity grid with the continental European network by 2025.

EU states confirm 2030 renewable energy target — 29 June 2018, 11:55 CET

EU states gave the green light Wednesday to a provisional agreement on the revision of the renewable energy directive, with a headline target of 32% energy from renewable sources at EU level for 2030.

China, Russia protectionism on the increase: EU report — 28 June 2018, 23:45 CET

European exporters report a major increase in protectionism in 2017, according to the EU's annual report on Trade and Investment Barriers, released Tuesday, with China and Russia the main culprits.

Online markeplaces sign EU pledge on product safety — 27 June 2018, 14:09 CET

Four major online marketplaces, Alibaba (for AliExpress), Amazon, eBay and Rakuten - France signed a commitment Monday for faster removal of dangerous products sold on their online marketplaces.

France.com cannot be registered as a trademark — 26 June 2018, 23:12 CET

The French government succeeded Tuesday in its attempt to have the European Court of Justice outlaw an attempt by a French businessman to register the sign 'france.com' as an EU trademark.

EU finance ministers close deficit procedure against France — 25 June 2018, 14:01 CET

EU finance ministers closed the excessive deficit procedure for France Friday, confirming its deficit has dropped below 3% of GDP. They also issued budgetary recommendations to Hungary and Romania.

EU activates retaliatory duties on US imports — 25 June 2018, 13:32 CET

The EU's 'rebalancing measures' in response to US tariffs on steel and aluminium came into effect Friday, targeting steel products, agricultural goods and other products worth some EUR 2.8 billion.

Malta breaking EU law on wild birds: EU Court — 22 June 2018, 00:03 CET

Malta has failed to fulfil its obligations under EU law in its adoption of a derogation regime to allow the trapping of seven species of wild birds, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.

EU launches trade talks with New Zealand — 22 June 2018, 00:03 CET

EU Trade Cecilia Malmstroem launched negotiations Thursday for a comprehensive trade agreement between the EU and New Zealand, aimed at removing barriers to trade in goods and services.

EU agrees deal on free flow of non-personal data — 21 June 2018, 22:37 CET

The European Parliament, Council and Commission reached a political agreement late Tuesday on new rules that will allow data to be stored and processed everywhere in the EU without unjustified restrictions.

Luxembourg told to recover EUR 120m Engie state aid — 21 June 2018, 00:50 CET

Luxembourg allowed two Engie group companies to avoid paying taxes on almost all their profits for about a decade, without any valid justification, the European Commission found on Wednesday.

EU confirms deal on energy savings and governance — 21 June 2018, 00:23 CET

EU decision-makers have reached agreement on a 32.5 per cent target for energy savings by 2030, as well as a new instrument to help EU Member States deliver on Europe's energy and climate goals.

MEPs' copyright reform proposals cause Internet concern — 20 June 2018, 23:55 CET

Plans to update EU copyright rules, including measures to monitor and filter virtually all uploads to the Internet, backed by MEPs Wednesday, have been termed a 'vote for mass internet censorship'.

Le Pen must repay EUR 300,000: EU Court — 20 June 2018, 17:25 CET

Former French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen MEP must repay almost EUR 300,000 to the European Parliament, the EU's top Court confirmed Tuesday, for the employment of a parliamentary assistant.

Talks set to start on pan-European pension — 20 June 2018, 17:25 CET

EU states have asked the presidency to start negotiations with the Parliament on a proposal for a pan-European pension product that would make it easier for people to put money aside for their old age.

EU extends sanctions against Russia over Crimea — 19 June 2018, 20:32 CET

EU ministers decided to extend sanctions against Russia for another year Monday, as the EU continued to punish Russia for the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sebastopol.

Migration levels in EU continue downward trend — 19 June 2018, 15:45 CET

There were 728,470 applications for international protection in the EU In 2017, a decrease of 44% compared to 2016, according to figures from the European Asylum Support Office published Monday.