Finance and Monetary Affairs in the EU

Latest news on economic and monetary affairs in the European Union.

Brussels to offer derogations to ease pressure on EU farmers — 02 February 2024, 00:26 CET

The European Commission proposed Wednesday to allow EU farmers to make use of derogations for 2024 from Common Agricultural Policy rules which oblige them to keep certain areas non-productive.

EU reliance on fossil fuels increased slightly in 2022 — 30 January 2024, 18:32 CET

The EU’s reliance on fossil fuels for its overall energy supply in 2022 showed a slight increase on 2021, from 69.9 to 70.9 per cent, according to figures released Tuesday by the EU statistics agency.

EU renews economic sanctions against Russia for 6 more months — 29 January 2024, 23:02 CET

The EU Council renewed its restrictive measures against Russia for a further 6 months Monday, until 31 July 2024, in view of the country's continuing actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.

Economic Security Package: EuroCommerce asks for cautious approach to guard the competitiveness of businesses in Europe — 24 January 2024, 23:49 CET

The European Commission is addressing increasing geopolitical tensions, geo-economic fragmentation and technological shifts that are posing challenges for the European economy and Europe's economic security in a new Economic Security Package issued today.

Battery-only electric cars in Europe continue advance in 2022 — 24 January 2024, 23:42 CET

The number of battery-only electric passenger cars in the EU reached nearly 3 million in 2022, data released Tuesday by Eurostat said - a 55 per cent increase compared with 2021 (1.9 million).

EU beefs up fight against money laundering, terrorist financing — 18 January 2024, 23:03 CET

The European Parliament finalised a deal with the EU Council Thursday on new measures to beef up an EU toolkit to fight money laundering, terrorist financing and sanctions evasion.

$1 billion EU finance for Sweden's Northvolt's battery gigafactory — 17 January 2024, 17:52 CET

The European Investment Bank announced Tuesday the financing of Northvolt's circular battery gigafactory in northern Sweden, with a total lending package to slightly over $1.038 billion.

PayPal will amend terms to comply with EU consumer rules — 21 December 2023, 23:37 CET

US fintech giant Paypal committed Wednesday to modifying its terms and conditions to make them easier to understand for consumers, following dialogue with the EU Commission.

EU extends emergency measures against potential energy price shocks — 20 December 2023, 00:25 CET

EU energy ministers reached a political agreement Tuesday to extend the period of application of three emergency Council regulations helping to protect EU citizens from excessively high energy prices.

EU tightens sanctions against Russia over Ukraine — 18 December 2023, 23:07 CET

The European Union adopted Monday its 12th package of sanctions against Russia, following its illegal war against Ukraine, including additional import and export bans, abd closing sanctions loopholes.

EU sets up new authority to combat money laundering — 14 December 2023, 22:58 CET

The European Parliament and EU Council reached provisional agreement Wednesday to create a new European authority for countering money laundering and financing of terrorism (AMLA).

EU agrees tougher rules on freezing and confiscating criminal assets — 12 December 2023, 22:58 CET

EU Parliament and Council negotiators reached a political agreement Tuesday on EU-wide minimum rules on the tracing, identification, freezing, confiscation and management of criminal property.

COP28: EUR 175m to reduce EU methane emissions — 05 December 2023, 19:12 CET

At the COP28 climate change conference Commission president von der Leyen presented Saturday the first-ever EU law to curb methane emissions in the energy sector, announcing EUR175m to reduce methane emissions.

Greenhouse gases in EU down 3.6 tonnes per employed person in a decade — 04 December 2023, 21:51 CET

Greenhouse gas emissions from the EU economy per employed person decreased by 26 per cent or 3.6 tonnes over the last decade, according to figures from EU statistics agency Eurostat Monday.

Europe's population on way down in 2021: Eurostat — 21 November 2023, 18:17 CET

Natural population changes, as well as the role played by the pandemic, contributed to a decrease in most EU regions in 2021, according to figures produced Tuesday by the EU's statistics agency Eurostat.

EU strikes deal on short-term rentals rules — 17 November 2023, 16:55 CET

Parliament and Council negotiators reached provisional agreement Thursday on a draft regulation on data collection and sharing for short-term accommodation rental services such as Airbnb.

Europe's economic growth loses momentum, revised downwards — 15 November 2023, 19:33 CET

The European Commission revised downwards its forecast for Europe's economy Wednesday, dragged down by the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine, weak global demand and higher consumer prices.

Skills shortages 'a serious problem' for majority of EU SMEs — 14 November 2023, 17:51 CET

Skills shortages are one of the most serious problems for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the EU, according to a new Eurobarometer survey released on Tuesday.

EU annual budget 2024 - guide — 13 November 2023, 23:34 CET

The Council and the European Parliament today reached agreement on the EU’s annual budget for 2024. Next year’s budget strongly focuses on the EU's main policy priorities. Total commitments amount to €189 385,4 million. Total payments amount to €142 630,3 million.

75.8m employed by EU's micro & small businesses — 09 November 2023, 22:56 CET

In 2021, 98 per cent of the EU's 31 million enterprises were micro and small businesses employing 75.8 million people, or half the total number employed, the EU statistics agency Eurostat reported Thursday.

EU negotiators reach final agreement on EU-wide digital wallet — 08 November 2023, 23:02 CET

European Parliament and EU Council negotiators reached provisional agreement Wednesday on an EU wallet to authenticate and access public and private services and e-sign documents.

European Digital Identity - guide — 08 November 2023, 23:00 CET

With a view to ensuring a trusted and secure digital identity for all Europeans, the EU Council presidency and European Parliament representatives reached on 8 November a provisional agreement on a new framework for a European digital identity (eID).

eIDAS Regulation — 08 November 2023, 22:43 CET

eIDAS is a key enabler for secure cross-border transactions. The Regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market (eIDAS Regulation) is a milestone towards creating a predictable regulatory environment. The eIDAS Regulation helps business, citizens and public authorities carry out secure and seamless electronic interactions.

EU's Growth Plan for Western Balkans could double economy in 10 years — 08 November 2023, 17:56 CET

The European Commission presented a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans Wednesday, including EUR 6 billion in grants and loans to accelerate economic convergence with the EU.

Nearly half EU car imports in 2022 electric & hybrid — 06 November 2023, 23:36 CET

Trade of electric & hybrid cars continued its strong rise in 2022, according to the EU's statistics agency Eurostat, with an increase of 35 percentage points compared with 2017.