EUROPA - Newsroom - Stories

“Fiscal compact" entered into force on 1 January 2013

21/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Institutional affairs

The Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (popularly known as the "fiscal compact") will enter into force on 1 January 2013 following its ratification by Finland. The treaty aims to strengthen fiscal discipline in the euro area through the "balanced budget rule" and the automatic correction mechanism.

Customs: Boosting EU competitiveness, protecting EU citizens in the 21st century

21/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Justice and citizens rights

The European Commission adopted a Communication on the State of Customs Union. The Communication takes stock of the current state of the EU customs union, identifies the challenges that it currently faces, and sets out priority actions for ensuring its future evolution. |VIDEO|

30th EU-Russia summit: a way forward

21/12/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy hosted the 30th EU and Russia bilateral summit. The agenda addressed a wide range of bilateral issues, covering political and economic matters and strategic perspectives for the EU-Russia relationship.

The EU updates rules on inspection of vehicles

20/12/2012 - Transport and travel

The Transport Council adopted a general approach on new rules on periodic inspection of vehicles, the so-called roadworthiness tests. The key objective of the update is to improve road safety and environmental protection. The draft directive lays down minimum requirements, which leaves member states free to impose stricter rules. |PHOTOS 1|2|3|VIDEO|

Agreement on fishing quotas for 2013

20/12/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council agreed on the fishing opportunities for the year to come, as is traditional at the end of every year under the common fisheries policy. |PHOTOS |VIDEOS|

EU rules on gender-neutral pricing in insurance industry enter into force

20/12/2012 - Employment and social rights

Under the new rules, insurers in Europe will have to charge the same prices to women and men for the same insurance products without distinction on the grounds of sex. This means that insurance prices could rise or fall in the short term for certain categories of customers while they are likely to balance out over time.

Europe for patients: Common rules on medical prescriptions when travelling to another EU country

20/12/2012 - Environment, consumers and health

The provisions for a common way to identify the patient, the prescriber and the prescribed product, are to be put into national law by the Member States by 25 October 2013.

Tobacco products: towards bigger health warnings and ban of strong flavourings

19/12/2012 - Business / Environment, consumers and health

After years in the making, the European Commission has adopted its proposal to revise the Tobacco Products Directive. The proposed legislation consists of new and strengthened rules on how tobacco products can be manufactured, presented, and sold. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

Commission adopts implementing rules for the Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers

19/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition

It also adopts technical standards for the regulation on OTC derivatives. The AIFMD is part of the Union's response to the financial crisis, and aims to create a comprehensive and effective regulatory and supervisory environment for alternative investment fund managers in Europe.

Aviation: Commission proposes new rules to prevent aircraft accidents

19/12/2012 - Transport and travel

The European Commission proposed today new rules for the better protection of air passengers, aiming to achieve a decreased number of aircraft accidents and fatalities through better use of data on occurrences.The new rules would promote more efficient exchange of information between Member States.

Digital "to-do" list: new digital priorities for 2013-2014

18/12/2012 - Science and technology

The priorities follow a comprehensive policy review and place new emphasis on the most transformative elements of the original 2010 Digital Agenda for Europe. |PHOTOS|VIDEO 1|2|

Commission proposes improved rules to enforce EU rights under international trade agreements

18/12/2012 - Business / External relations and foreign affairs

The proposal covers the EU's trade responses in cases of illegal trade measures in other countries, and it will allow effective action to safeguard the interests of EU companies and workers.

Alternative and Online Dispute Resolution soon to become a reality for European consumers

18/12/2012 - Business / Environment, consumers and health

The rules on ADR will ensure that contractual disputes between consumers and traders are settled out of court through quality alternative dispute resolution entities.

Environment Council: Safer management of Europe's water resources

17/12/2012 - Environment, consumers and health / Institutional affairs

The EU's Environment Ministers adopted conclusions setting out key actions to improve governance by those involved in managing water resources, namely: improving land use, addressing water pollution, and increasing water efficiency and resilience. |PHOTOS|VIDEO 1|2|

Fighting tax evasion: stronger EU rules enter into force on 1st January

17/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition

One of the key aspects of the Directive on Administrative Cooperation in the field of taxation is that it brings an end to bank secrecy. On the same date new EU VAT rules enter into effect, which will make life much simpler for businesses across Europe.

EU unitary patent: a big boost for innovation

17/12/2012 - Business

On 17 December the Council gave their green light to the creation of unitary patent protection in Europe. The approval comes following a positive vote in the European Parliament on 11 December.

Environment: New rules on cleaner fuels for shipping will deliver benefits for people's health

17/12/2012 - Environment, consumers and health / Transport and travel

New environmental rules on marine fuels, entering into force on the 17 December 2012, will substantially reduce air pollution and its impacts on human health.

European Council conclusions

14/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Institutional affairs

The European Council agreed on a roadmap for the completion of the Economic and Monetary Union, based on deeper integration and reinforced solidarity. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

November 2012: Euro area annual inflation down to 2.2% - EU down to 2.4%

14/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Statistics

Euro area annual inflation was 2.2% in November 2012, down from 2.5% in October. A year earlier the rate was 3.0%. Monthly inflation was -0.2% in November 2012.

Taxation: Clarifying EU rules on car taxes

14/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Transport and travel

The Commission presented a Communication clarifying EU rules on car taxation and recommending measures to strengthen the Single Market in this area.

Council agrees position on single supervisory mechanism

13/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Institutional affairs

EU finance ministers agreed on the general approach on the legislative package that establishes single supervisory mechanism (SSM) for the oversight of credit institutions, which is a key element in the EU's plan to establish a banking union. |VIDEO|

Giving honest businesses a second chance: Commission proposes modern insolvency rules

12/12/2012 - Business / Justice and citizens rights

Businesses hit by the economic crisis will be thrown a lifeline under a new proposal from the European Commission to modernise Europe’s rules on cross-border business insolvency, helping to give otherwise viable businesses a ‘second chance’. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

Parliament confirms deal on 2012 and 2013 budget package

12/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition / Institutional affairs

Six billion Euros to pay bills in 2012, priority for growth and jobs in next year's budget and a strategy for dealing with payment shortfalls in 2013 – these are the main parts of the budget package formally adopted by Parliament.

Commission plans to modernise European company law and corporate governance

12/12/2012 - Business

The European Commission has adopted an Action Plan outlining future initiatives in the areas of company law and corporate governance.

Parliament approves EU unitary patent rules

11/12/2012 - Business

EU inventors will soon be able to get a unitary patent at last. After over 30 years of talks, a new regime will cut the cost of an EU patent by up to 80%, making it more competitive vis-à-vis the US and Japan. |VIDEO|

Main results of the Foreign Affairs Council

10/12/2012 - External relations and foreign affairs

Ministers debated recent developments in the Middle East. The Council stressed that now is the time to take bold steps towards peace and underlined the urgency of renewed, structured and substantial peace efforts in 2013. |PHOTOS 1|2|VIDEO|

Nobel peace prize goes to… Europeans

10/12/2012 - Institutional affairs

2012 prize was presented in Oslo on 10 December recognising EU’s role in advancing stability and reconciliation in Europe.

Putting patients in the driving seat: A digital future for healthcare

07/12/2012 - Environment, consumers and health / Science and technology

The European Commission has unveiled an Action Plan to address barriers to the full use of digital solutions in Europe's healthcare systems. The goal is to improve healthcare for the benefit of patients, give patients more control of their care and bring down costs.

EU Consumer Scoreboard says that markets for banking services and for second-hand cars keep failing consumers

07/12/2012 - Business / Environment, consumers and health / Statistics

EU consumers have once again expressed their dissatisfaction with the performance of some key services markets, according to the Commission’s 2012 Consumer Markets Scoreboard.

Easier and faster circulation of judgments

07/12/2012 - Justice and citizens rights

EU rules on the enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters have been revised. The aim is to remedy shortcomings in the current rules for solving cross-border disputes in order to improve judicial cooperation between member states. |VIDEO|

Clamping down on tax evasion and avoidance: Commission presents the way forward

06/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition

The Commission presented an Action Plan for a more effective EU response to tax evasion and avoidance. It sets out a comprehensive set of measures, for now and for the future, to help Member States protect their tax bases and recapture billions of euros legitimately due. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

E-commerce: when purchasing games, books, videos or music on-line, look out for unfair terms, warns the EU

06/12/2012 - Business / Environment, consumers and health

Just in time for the holidays and gifts shopping season, the European Commission publishes the results of an EU wide screening of websites selling games, books, videos and music which can be downloaded to a computer or mobile device. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

R&D Scoreboard: Despite crisis, top EU firms continue to invest in innovation

06/12/2012 - Business / Science and technology

In the face of the continuing economic and financial crisis, major EU-based firms continue to rely on R&D for their competitive edge. They increased R&D investment by 8.9% in 2011, up from 6.1% in 2010. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

Youth employment: Commission proposes package of measures

05/12/2012 - Culture, education and youth / Employment and social rights

Measures to help Member States tackle unacceptable levels of youth unemployment and social exclusion by giving young people offers of jobs, education and training have been proposed by the European Commission. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

Improving the functioning of the food supply chain

05/12/2012 - Agriculture, fisheries and food

The Commission will assess all possible options for tackling unfair trading practices in the food chain, including legislation, and will launch an impact assessment.

Stricter EU rules on credit rating agencies agreed

05/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition

Credit rating agencies in the EU will soon be operating according to an amended set of rules recently agreed by the Council and the European Parliament.

Economic and Financial Affairs

04/12/2012 - Economy, finance, tax and competition

The Council agreed to adjust fiscal consolidation measures required of Greece, granting it an additional two years to correct its excessive budget deficit in the light of an agreement between the Greek government and the "troika" of international creditors. |PHOTOS|VIDEO|

EU establishes guidelines for renewable energy policy

Stories - December 2012

Help us improve