A week ago, it would have been hard to believe that the Kremlin would ever backtrack. A country in the geographical centre of Europe was about to fall in a matter of days under the onslaught of the second most powerful army in the world. But that has not happened. Instead, the aggressor has been…
The European Union says it has reached a major milestone in the implementation of the InvestEU programme with the signature of the Guarantee and Advisory Hub Agreements between the European Commission, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Investment Fund (EIF). The InvestEU programme is a key pillar of the European Union’s largest ever…
The Socialists and Democrats are hosting an event in Saarbrücken, Germany, on cross-border work later this week. Anke Rehlinger, Saarland’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Transport, and Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, will deliver keynote speeches. S&D Group leader Iratxe García; SPD-MP Secretary General Christian Petry; head of the SPD delegation in the European Parliament Jens Geier;…
The EU needs to reassess the priorities of its industrial policy in light of the pandemic and the conflict on Europe’s eastern border: this is what emerged from a conference hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The Conference, titled “A sustainable future for European industry”, was organized in cooperation with the European…
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…
New data published by the Greens/EFA Group reveals the amount of housing being bought up and controlled as investment assets by large firms across Europe. The study, My home is an asset class: The Financialization of Housing in Europe, shows how investors, facilitated under the capital markets union, are rapidly buying up significant amounts of living…
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 disbursed €271 million to Finland in pre-financing, equivalent to 13% of the country’s financial allocation under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The pre-financing payment will help kick-start the implementation of the crucial investment and reform measures outlined in Finland’s recovery and resilience plan. The Commission will authorise further disbursements based…
The EPP group has welcomed what it calls “new and strong” rules for online platforms. “The European Parliament will send a strong signal that we want a Digital Single Market with clear rules, strong consumer protection and a business-friendly environment”, said Arba Kokalari, speaking during plenary debate on the Digital Services Act (DSA) in the…
The European Commission has presented its communication on own resources and directives on a minimum corporate tax and fighting shell entities. Reaction came from BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer who said: “It is important that the EU has a stable funding source through its own resources. The best way to ensure we are able…
