The Board of Directors of the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) decided to reduce to zero the step-up margin accrued by Greece for the period between 17 June 2021 and 1 January 2022, as part of the medium-term debt relief measures agreed for the country in 2018. The value of this sixth successive reduction amounts…
CEOs from leading companies have called for large content platforms to contribute to the cost of the European digital infrastructure that carries their services. The plea comes in an open letter from José María Álvarez-Pallete (Chairman and CEO, Telefónica), Tim Höttges (CEO, Deutsche Telekom), Nick Read (CEO, Vodafone), Stéphane Richard (Chairman and CEO, Orange) The letter reads,…
The European Commission has presented its standardisation strategy. It stresses the importance of standardisation for global competitiveness and supports policies aimed at better anticipating and defining the European standardisation priorities. Reaction came from BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer. Beyrer said, “We must consolidate a strong European Standardisation System and improve and speed up standardisation processes which…
Almost 300 Airbus employees in France who lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic should receive €3.7 million in EU aid. On Tuesday, the Committee on Budgets approved France’s request for support from the EGF. MEPs acknowledge that “in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic, the general travel restrictions led to a general collapse…
The current energy crisis is impacting on the competitiveness of the European textile and clothing industry. Because there are limited alternatives to the use of gas in different parts of the production process, production costs increase sharply. EURATEX asks the European Commission and Member States to urgently support the industry to avoid company closures. At…
From today until 21 February 2022, the general public is invited to vote for the 98 creative Brussels initiatives that have enabled our capital to shine in new and creative ways. They can now vote on www.awards.brussels. Once the five finalists in each category have been selected by public vote, a jury made up of members…
In the face of changes brought to the world of work by the digital and green transition and the health crisis, social dialogue will have to be strengthened across Europe. It should be complemented by more robust rules onmusculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial risks leading to major work-related illnesses such as heart conditions, stroke, cancer and…
The EESC is urging the creation of a European network of special ombudsmen to help SMEs cope with the financial and funding issues they are experiencing, particularly as a result of the COVID crisis. The Committee also stresses that for SMEs to take up AI there needs to be the political will to support them…
The social economy can only attract suitable investments if there are dedicated financial instruments that balance social impact with acceptable returns for investors and fair risks to social enterprises, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) says in an opinion adopted at its January plenary session. Requested by the French presidency, which will make the social…
The European Commission has tabled proposal to combat the use of shell companies for tax purposes. Comment on the issue came from Markus Ferber MEP, the EPP Group’s Spokesman in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. “Often the main purpose of shell companies is to facilitate aggressive tax planning or disguise beneficial ownership structures. In theory, Member…
