New European Commission’s College: competences and roles for next five years (Part I)

Views: 155In the President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal for the new College’s political guidance this September, some new priorities have been formulated with specific tasks assigned to the future “EU-ministers” for the next 5 years. The first article deals with the College’s leadership (i.e. Commission’s executive vice presidents), the second, will “cover portfolios” of […]

First risk assessment under the Digital Service Act

Views: 28The providers of the first 19 very large online platforms (VLOPs) and very large search engines (VLOSEs) designated in April 2023 must publish their annual risk assessment and audit reports for the first time, under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The reports shall include such aspects of their services as e.g. dissemination of illegal […]

Emission reduction targets: carbon market rules and “clean” investments

Views: 22Since the European Green Deal was adopted at the end of 2019, the EU has committed to reaching climate neutrality by 2050. This objective became legally binding with the adoption and entry into force in 2021 of the European Climate Law. This EU-wide legislation sets an intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions […]

European external trade: negotiations and perspectives

Views: 20The EU Foreign Affairs Council on Trade exercises – on behalf of the member states – trade negotiations with the outside world (so-called EU common commercial policy); this work is within the so-called exclusive EU competences. The EU trade Commissioner provided an overview of some bilateral trade negotiations: the EU already has the largest […]

Clean energy transition: global and regional perspectives

Views: 183As is known, extensive use of fossil fuels is dangerous for the global climate and individual health; it also puts a strain on many regional economies, industries and businesses. Hence, there are many good reasons to speed up the energy transition including more active renewable policies both world-wide and in regional/national domain. 

Recent EU-Bond issuance to support European integration

Views: 33According to the EU basic law, the European Commission is capable of borrowing on the international capital markets (on behalf of the EU) to finance EU integration programs. The EU has already a well-established name in debt securities markets, with a track record of bond issuances over the past 40 years. Borrowing by syndicated […]

EU budget for 2025: pursuing European priorities

Views: 24The budget for 2025 includes expenditures depicted in the EU-wide long-term budget ceilings and oriented towards financing the NextGenerationEU program and other European integration priorities. The budget will allow the member states to deliver on the EU political commitments agreed in the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework. The annual EU Budget for […]

European economy in recent prognoses for 2024-2026

Views: 28According to the recent macro-economic prognoses, the European economy is “slowly recovering”; as inflation continues to ease and private consumption and investment growth pick up. Besides, unemployment is at record low level and growth is set to gradually accelerate over the next two years. However, structural challenges and geopolitical uncertainty heavily impacted the EU-wide […]

Digital transition and European financial market perspectives

Views: 22Modern financial technologies, so-called fintech are already greatly facilitating progressive development of the global and European financial markets. Indeed, the better access to financial services and its efficiency’s improvements, due to digital transitions, are benefiting private and public financial systems. The EU’s approach to digital finance is specific and includes several items dealing with […]

Single market for capital: European investment policy through reforms

Views: 23The EU-wide capital markets “union” represents a vital part of the continental integration efforts and aims to create a single market for capital. Among other issues, it is about activating available capital and money in the form of investments and savings to “flouting freely” across the EU member states in order to benefit consumers, […]