EU-Africa major partners – EUbusiness Week newsletter 806 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 806 top stories: EU farm reform offers stronger role for Member States; New EU e-payments rules to make shopping safer; Euro-MPs back people-powered renewables; Brussels acts to protect Europe’s know-how; Commission proposes new tools to combat VAT fraud; Investment boost for development of sustainable cities

Publisher’s Note

Leaders of Africa and the EU came together at a summit in Ivory Coast this week to define the future direction for cooperation between the two continents. Both parties pledged to work together on infrastructure investment, economic opportunities for youth and peace and security.

With the global order being contested, and fundamental principles being challenged, as EU president Donald Tusk put it, working together produces results – a key example being the Paris climate change agreement. “Together we can shape the global agenda, strengthen the rules-based order and support effective multilateralism, based on our shared values and interests”, he said.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1.EU farm reform offers stronger role for Member States

Member States will have a stronger role in deciding how to allocate EU public subsidies to farmers under proposals for more sustainable farming put forward by the Commission.
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2. New EU e-payments rules to make shopping safer

The revised payment services directive adopted Monday by the EU executive is designed to provide consumers with more convenient and innovative payment solutions, whether buying in shops or online.
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3. Euro-MPs back people-powered renewables

MEPs in committee have voted for new binding targets for energy efficiency and use of renewables, calling for recognition of the right of Europeans to produce and sell their own renewable electricity.
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4. Brussels acts to protect Europe’s know-how

Europe’s smaller companies will be encouraged to invest in innovation and creativity, under plans to strengthen protection of intellectual property rights.
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5. Commission proposes new tools to combat VAT fraud

The Commission unveiled Thursday new tools to make the EU’s Value Added Tax system more fraud-proof and to close loopholes which can lead to large-scale VAT fraud.
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6. Investment boost for development of sustainable cities

The Commission and European Investment Bank launched Tuesday a new advisory service to help cities plan investments to support urban development and get easier access to finance.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Right to paid leave: the EU’s top court ruled Wednesday that a worker is still entitled to accumulated paid leave even if an employer has not put him in a position to exercise his right to paid annual leave.
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Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

Four candidates declared for Eurogroup presidency – EU Industrial Policy Strategy conclusions – 2018 EU budget – Digital Single Gateway – Consumer protection in the digital age – Geo-blocking: EU ambassadors confirm agreement on removing barriers to e-commerce – Reception conditions for asylum applicants – EU-League of Arab States relations
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Council …

Commission Watch

Steel Global Forum agreement to tackle overcapacity – Africa- EU Summit – EU-Afghanistan cooperation – EU Air Safety List – VAT proposal for administrative cooperation – Erasmus+ record year – Statement of Objections to AB InBev for preventing cheaper imports of beer into Belgium – Eurostat figures: inflation, unemployment – The future of food and farming – EU delivering on climate commitments through enhanced global partnerships – Brexit legislative amendments for relocation of European Medicines Agency and European Banking Authority from London – Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement – Europe’s social dimension – Payment Services Directive revision
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Parliament Watch

ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly – job-search aid for retail workers laid off in Finland and Greece – EU budget 2018 approved – More firms to enjoy a simpler, cheaper, more effective VAT payment system – Helping people with disabilities: MEPs advocate positive discrimination – Yemen: MEPs renew call for EU arms embargo against Saudi Arabia – New ways to support stability and peace outside the EU – Final vote on new EU rules on who bears banks’ losses – Drones: new EU-wide rules to boost safety and privacy – Brexit: progress but not enough – Cleaner energy: new binding targets for energy efficiency and use of renewables
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EU diary

4-5 Dec: European Day of Persons with Disabilities
4 Dec: Tips and tricks on the assessment of feed additives
4-5 Dec: European Parliament Committee Meetings
4-7 Dec: European nuclear safeguards training seminar
5-7 Dec: Conference on migration and technology
5 Dec: European Trade Policy Day
5 Dec: Economic and Financial Affairs Council
6 Dec: European Parliament of Persons with Disabilities
7-8 Dec: Employment, Social, Health, Consumer Council
7 Dec: Global investment forum: New technologies
8-10 Dec: Annual conference of human rights 2017
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary