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Business news and information from the European Union

EU Parliament warns Poland on rule of law — 16 November 2017, 23:29 CET

Poland is at "clear risk of a serious breach" of European values, including the rule of law, enshrined in the EU Treaty, MEPs said on Wednesday, warning of possible suspension of Poland's EU voting rights.

EU-China look to cooperate on state aid — 16 November 2017, 23:08 CET

The EU Commission and China reaffirmed the importance of cooperation on competition policy for good economic relations Thursday, at a meeting forming part of a new dialogue between the EU and China.

Limited success for EU's bailout plans for Greece — 16 November 2017, 14:11 CET

The EU's bailout programmes for Greece following the financial crisis provided short-term financial stability and made some progress on reform possible, according to a European Court of Auditors report.

More progress needed on Romania, Bulgaria reform — 15 November 2017, 23:28 CET

Romania and Bulgaria have still more progress to make in judicial reform and the fight against corruption, according to the EU's latest Cooperation and Verification Mechanism Reports on the countries.

Privacy activist can sue Facebook, but no class action: EU Court — 15 November 2017, 22:54 CET

Austrian privacy activist Maximilian Schrems can sue Facebook Ireland before the Austrian Courts with respect to the private use of his Facebook account, an EU Court advisor said Wednesday.

EU bolsters protection against online fraudsters — 15 November 2017, 20:47 CET

MEPs approved Tuesday EU-wide rules to protect consumers against scams and detect and stop rogue traders more swiftly, with a view to increasing consumers' trust in cross-border e-commerce.

EU Parliament gives green light to new anti-dumping rules — 15 November 2017, 18:19 CET

New EU rules will require trade partners outside the EU to meet international social and environmental standards, following a vote by Euro-MPs Wednesday to fight dumped and subsidised imports.

Juncker sets up task force on 'doing less more efficiently' — 15 November 2017, 17:49 CET

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker established a new task force on Tuesday, the 'Task Force on Subsidiarity, Proportionality' tasked with 'Doing Less More Efficiently'.

23 EU states launch new era for European defence cooperation — 14 November 2017, 22:48 CET

23 EU Member States - though not the United Kingdom - signed an historic pact Monday to cooperate more closely in future on security and defence in the wake of Brexit and Russian aggression.

Brussels mulls action to protect public from fake news — 14 November 2017, 22:48 CET

The EU Commission launched a consultation on fake news and online disinformation Monday, setting up an expert group representing academics, online platforms, news media and civil society groups.

2017 eurozone growth fastest in a decade — 13 November 2017, 18:58 CET

The eurozone economy is set to grow at its fastest pace in a decade this year, the EU Commission forecast in its Autumn Economic Forecast Thursday, with real GDP growth substantially higher than expected.

EU carbon market reform deal falls short — 13 November 2017, 16:46 CET

A tentative deal to redesign one of the EU’s key climate policies, the Emissions Trading Scheme, was reached by the EU institutions Thursday, but it was not welcomed by environmental groups.

New EU gas rules could staunch Russian pipeline — 10 November 2017, 00:05 CET

Changes to the Gas Directive proposed Wednesday to ensure that all major gas pipelines entering EU territory comply with EU rules could prove an obstacle to the Russian-backed Nord Stream 2 project.

Inequality still a challenge for education in Europe: report — 09 November 2017, 22:44 CET

While Europe's national education systems are becoming more inclusive and effective, a new report also confirms that educational attainment still largely depends on their socio-economic backgrounds.

Weekly rest period allows for flexibility, rules EU Court — 09 November 2017, 21:51 CET

A worker's weekly rest period can be granted on any day during each seven-day period, and does not necessarily have to be granted the day following six consecutive working days, the EU Court ruled Thursday.

EU sets out new 2030 targets for clean cars — 08 November 2017, 17:08 CET

The European Commission proposed new targets for EU fleet-wide average CO2 emissions of new passenger cars and vans Wednesday, in a bid to accelerate transition to low- and zero emission vehicles.

EU on track for 2020 CO2 emissions targets — 08 November 2017, 13:49 CET

Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union were reduced by 23% between 1990 and 2016, while the economy grew by 53% over the same period, according to the latest Commission report.

Paris is Europe's most innovative city 2017 — 07 November 2017, 23:16 CET

The city of Paris was awarded the 2017 European Capital of Innovation Tuesday, with a prize of EUR 1,000,000 granted under the EU's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Brussels presents sustainable fishing plan for 2018 — 07 November 2017, 18:14 CET

The European Commission presented Tuesday its proposal for next year's fishing quotas in the Atlantic and North Sea, which EU Member States are due to agree at the December Fisheries Council.

UN climate talks begin with call to accelerate action — 07 November 2017, 18:11 CET

The 2017 UN climate change conference got under way Monday, aiming for speedier, more ambitious global action on climate change and put the world on a safer, more prosperous development path.

EU Globalisation Fund proves its worth — 01 November 2017, 23:36 CET

An EU report on the performance of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, published Wednesday, affirms its role in providing support to people losing their jobs as a result of globalisation.

Landmark EU-Cuba agreement enters into force — 01 November 2017, 23:01 CET

Provisional application of the European Union's first ever agreement with Cuba, which began 1 November, covers political dialogue, cooperation and sector policy dialogue as well as trade cooperation.

Brussels to probe UK tax scheme for multinationals — 29 October 2017, 23:52 CET

The EU Commission opened an in-depth probe Thursday into a UK scheme that exempts certain transactions by multinational groups from the application of UK rules targeting tax avoidance.

EUR 30bn earmarked for EU research projects 2018-2020 — 29 October 2017, 23:52 CET

The EU announced its work programme for research and innovation funding over the period 2018-2020 Friday, with EUR 30 billion earmarked for supporting scientific excellence under Horizon 2020.

New rules to protect investors and EU economy from bad loans — 26 October 2017, 23:41 CET

The EU gave the final approval Thursday to new rules which mean packaged loans converted into securities will have to be made less complex and more transparent before selling them on to investors.