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Today's proposals aim for a coordinated EU wide response to corporate tax avoidance, following global standards developed by the OECD last autumn.

The European Commission has tabled legislative proposals to ensure car manufacturers comply strictly with all EU safety, environmental and production requirements.

In its first year, Erasmus+, the bigger and more fit-for-purpose programme for education, training, youth and sport, is already living up to expectations.

The Fiscal Sustainability Report 2015 provides an overview of the challenges to public finance sustainability faced by Member States in the short, medium and long term.

Investment in research and innovation from the EU budget between 2007 and 2013 has greatly improved scientific excellence in Europe and strengthened its competitiveness by improving industry's capacity to innovate.

The rule of law and media independence in Poland was discussed during January's plenary session in Strasbourg this week. Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło rejected criticism of her government's policies during the heated debate.

This year's review reveals further positive employment and social developments in the EU. However, despite recent improvements, huge disparities still exist between Member States, in terms of economic growth, employment and other key social and labour market indicators.

Today, the European Commission proposed to facilitate the exchange of criminal records of non-EU citizens in the EU by upgrading the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS).

Geo-blocking consumers’ online access to goods and services on the basis of their IP address, postal address or the country of issue of credit cards is unjustified and it must stop, says Parliament in a resolution.

Today Member States agreed on a Commission proposal to invest €217 million in key trans-European energy infrastructure projects, mainly in Central and South Eastern Europe.

The Council discussed Syria and developments in the region. It expressed full support for UN Security Council resolution 2254 endorsing a "roadmap" for a peace process in Syria and setting a timetable for talks.

The Council started preparations of the February European Council by examining an annotated draft agenda. At their meeting on 18 and 19 February 2016 EU leaders will aim to reach agreement on a compromise package to address the four items raised by the UK in view of an in/out referendum.

On 16 January 2016, the Council lifted all nuclear-related economic and financial EU sanctions against Iran. This follows verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran has implemented the agreed nuclear-related measures as set out in the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The Council discussed growth prospects and macroeconomic imbalances under the "European Semester", the EU's annual policy coordination process. It adopted conclusions, and approved a draft recommendation on the economic policies of the euro area.

At their weekly meeting today, the College of Commissioners discussed the refugee crisis, looking at the measures taken in 2015 and the initiatives to be presented in spring 2016.

The euro area seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.5% in November 2015, down from 10.6% in October 2015, and from 11.5% in November 2014. The EU28 unemployment rate was 9.1% in November 2015, down from 9.2% in October 2015, and from 10.0% in November 2014.