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Business news and information from the European Union

New reforms to boost resilience of European banks — 24 November 2016, 18:42 CET

The EU Commission unveiled a package of proposals Wednesday to boost the resilience of European banks against potential shocks, and to support smaller businesses and infrastructure investment.

EU Parliament calls for freeze on Turkey membership talks — 24 November 2016, 18:40 CET

The European Parliament called Thursday for a temporary freeze on EU accession talks with Turkey until "disproportionate repressive measures" under the country's state of emergency are lifted.

Boost to start-ups in Europe — 24 November 2016, 00:50 CET

The EU Commission has launched a new initiative to help start-ups grow and do business across Europe, with a focus on venture capital investment, insolvency law and taxation.

Europeans live longer, but not always in good health — 23 November 2016, 23:28 CET

Life expectancy in most EU countries now exceeds 80 years, says a new OECD-EU joint report, but this record life expectancy is not always matched by healthy life years.

EU imposes due diligence on conflict minerals — 23 November 2016, 18:24 CET

The EU agreed a draft regulation on 'conflict minerals' Tuesday with the aim of stopping the financing of armed groups and human rights abuses through trade in minerals from conflict areas.

Commission sets out plan for sustainable Europe — 23 November 2016, 18:24 CET

The European Commission set out a framework for development cooperation for the EU and its Member States Tuesday, with plans for implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Monetary policy supporting EU growth: ECB's Draghi — 22 November 2016, 23:09 CET

The Eurozone economy has shown "remarkable resilience" in the face of adverse developments, as growth continues at a moderate pace, European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi told Euro-MPs Monday.

MEPs end time-at-sea limits for North Sea fishing — 22 November 2016, 19:03 CET

North Sea cod fishermen will be able to land every catch – not just cod – more easily following MEPs' s green light Tuesday to remove limits on the number of days a vessel can spend in a fishing area.

Climate conference: EU promises to deliver 'whatever happens' — 22 November 2016, 16:55 CET

The shadow of Donald Trump loomed over the Marrakesh climate conference, which concluded last week with promises to put the Paris climate change agreement into action.

EU states agree visa-free travel for Ukraine in principle — 21 November 2016, 18:52 CET

European Union states agreed Thursday the principle of short-term visa-free travel for Ukrainians to the EU, just days before an EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels.

EU settles Budget deal for 2017 — 21 November 2016, 18:51 CET

EU finance ministers and Euro-MPs reached a provisional deal on the 2017 EU budget in the early hours of Thursday morning, with money focused on tackling the migration crisis and reinforcing security.

EU charts course for Euro economy — 17 November 2016, 22:54 CET

The EU Commission adopted its 'Autumn economic package' Wednesday, setting out economic and social priorities and completing its assessment of eurozone states' draft budget plans.

New travel system to tighten security at EU borders — 17 November 2016, 18:12 CET

Travellers coming into the EU will have to obtain prior authorisation, and pay a charge, under a new European Travel Information and Authorisation System unveiled Wednesday.

French practice on out-of-print books against copyright directive: EU Court — 17 November 2016, 00:55 CET

The EU's copyright directive protects the rights of authors against exploitation through the digital reproduction of out-of-print books, the eU's top court ruled on Wednesday.

EU slaps more anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel, iron — 16 November 2016, 00:54 CET

The EU is to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on seamless pipes and tubes of iron and steel from China - typically used in power plants and in the oil and gas industry.

EU moves to strengthen NATO and defence partnership — 16 November 2016, 00:52 CET

EU foreign affairs ministers ended a two-day meeting on Tuesday with moves to strengthen Europe's security and defence and its partnership with NATO.

Border controls extended 3 months — 14 November 2016, 23:44 CET

The EU has extended controls at certain internal Schengen borders - Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, where controls already take place - for a further three months.

EU agrees deep-sea fish quotas for 2017-18 — 14 November 2016, 23:44 CET

The EU Council agreed Monday on total allowable catches and quotas for deep-sea stocks in the EU and international waters in the North-East Atlantic for 2017 and 2018.

Drones: new EU rules to ensure safety and privacy — 13 November 2016, 23:36 CET

The European Parliament's transport committee approved changes to EU aviation safety rules on 10 November which would also include basic safety measures for drones.

Brussels mulls action on aggressive tax planning — 11 November 2016, 00:05 CET

The European Commission launched a public consultation Thursday to gather feedback on the way forward for EU action on advisers and intermediaries who facilitate tax evasion and tax avoidance.

EU sets out vision for world's oceans — 10 November 2016, 23:09 CET

The European Union set out its vision for better ocean governance Thursday, with a joint agenda of actions to secure the effective conservation and sustainable use of the global seas and oceans.

EFSA finalises guidance on novel and traditional food — 10 November 2016, 22:35 CET

The EU's food safety authority published Thursday guidance documents on novel food and traditional food from third countries to help ensure these foods are safe before marketing them in Europe.

Brussels proposes new anti-dumping measures — 10 November 2016, 11:23 CET

The Commission proposed Wednesday changes to the EU's anti-dumping and anti-subsidy legislation to deal with over-capacity and a changing international legal framework.

Brexit, political uncertainty reel back EU growth forecasts — 10 November 2016, 11:23 CET

The EU Commission trimmed its growth forecast for the European economy Wednesday, with political uncertainty, Brexit and weak global trade weighing on growth prospects.

Turkey 'moving away from the EU': enlargement report — 10 November 2016, 11:22 CET

Turkey is moving away from the EU, the Commission warns in its annual assessment of potential EU members' progress in implementing political and economic reforms.