A Commission to tackle the crises? – EUbusiness Week newsletter 849

Publisher’s Note

Since the European elections, the Brexit saga has grabbed the headlines, the EU institutions have been treading water. Now, the changing of the EU guard is under way, with Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen announcing nominees and portfolios for her next Commission. The EU executive will be judged on how it responds to Europpe’s crises, such as the rise of populism and threats to the rule of law, and the climate crisis. Ms von der Leyen has put climate protection and sustainable development at the top of her priorities. But her introduction of a Commissioner for ‘Protecting our European Way of Life’ has been less universally welcomed.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

1. EU reaffirms ambition for climate neutrality by 2050

The Commission reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to accelerated climate ambition Wednesday, as it makes preparations for a long-term strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
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2. EU states’ VAT collection gap at EUR 137 bn in 2017

Thorough reform of the VAT system is needed to make it more fraud-proof, the EU executive said as it released a study showing Member States lost EUR 137 bn VAT revenues in 2017.
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3. Europe’s satnav system reaches 1 billion smartphones

Galileo, Europe’s satellite navigation system, has reached billion smartphone users worldwide, on the 15th anniversary of the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency.
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4. EU proposals for sustainable fishing in Baltic Sea

The situation of fish stocks in the Baltic Sea is ‘serious’, said Brussels as it set out proposals for 2020 fishing opportunities for the commercially most important fish stocks.
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5. Brussels issues Brexit ‘no-deal’ checklist for businesses

With 8 weeks to go until the possible withdrawal of the UK from the EU on 31 October, the Commission reiterated its call for EU27 businesses to prepare for a ‘no-deal’ scenario.
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6. Performance risks in EU defence plans, say auditors

The current military capabilities and cooperation of the EU Member States do not match the new level of ambition of the EU’s defence policy, says a review by the European Court of Auditors, published Thursday.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Google news: a German provision stopping Google search from using newspaper snippets without publisher authorisation must be disregarded as it was not notified to the Commission, the EU Court ruled Thursday.
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July 2019 infringements package: key decisions
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

EU extends sanctions over actions against Ukraine’s territorial integrity until 15 March 2020 – Council adopts list of candidates for appointment as Commissioner
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Council …

Commission Watch

Erasmus+ boosts participation of African students and staff in 2019 – Vaccination benefits – fight against climate change – the von der Leyen Commission – VAT Gap – effectiveness of public consultations – Milk, fruits and vegetables for schoolchildren – EU unemployment figures – Drought in Europe
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Parliament Watch

Conference of Presidents adopts calendar for hearings of Commissioners-designate – Sassoli: Friends of Football with UEFA to kick out hate – Statement by EP President Sassoli on Sakharov Prize winner Oleg Sentsov’s release – Lagarde recommended for ECB President by Economics and Monetary Affairs Committee
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EU diary

16 Sep: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
16 Sep: General Affairs Council
16-19 Sep: European Parliament plenary session
16-22 Sep: European Mobility Week 2019
19-20 Sep: Data protection in law enforcement conference
19-20 Sep: CareersNet meeting
20 Sep: Annual meeting of EU accessible cities
20 Sep: Transport, Telecommunications & Energy Council
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary

RESOURCES

EU Law Firms
Summaries of EU Legislation
EU Decision-Making
Treaties of the European Union
Key EU Legal Terms

Other news on EUbusiness this week

Eurojust launches new Counter-Terrorism Register 6-Sep
Kids get EU milk, fruit & veg as school year begins 4-Sep
EU agrees measures to combat drought in Europe 31-Aug
EU support helps Greece towards financial stability 28-Aug

EUbusiness Community

Breaking News

The economic policy at the heart of Europe is creaking (The Economist)

Press

Business Organisations Voice Strong Support For A New EU SME Strategy
EU failing 2020 commitments for marine biodiversity protection
New study highlights lack of progress on infrastructure & incentives for alternatively-powered cars
Censorship machine takes over EU’s internet European Court of Justice does not request a more detailed investigation of risks of genetically engineered soybeans
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Reducing labour shortages by improving skills matching – Employers statement
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Jobs

Secretary General, European Cyclists’ Federation
Director of Global Economic Affairs and Strategic Policy Files, DIGITALEUROPE
Outreach Coordinator, Open Society European Policy Institute
International Lobby & Advocacy Coordinator, Clean Clothes Campaign
Senior Legal Officer – Consumer and Digital Policy, European Consumer Organisation
Senior EU Affairs Officer, European Cancer Patient Coalition
Head of Programme: Ocean, Plastics, and Chemicals, ClientEarth
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Guides

Global Vaccination Summit
VAT gap
Communication on forests
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Events

25 Sep, Amsterdam: Defence Exports Conference 2019
16 Oct, London: Mental Health in the Workplace
31 Oct, Abu Dhabi: Citizenship and Residency Exhibition 2019
20 Nov, Amsterdam: 18th Annual Benelux Infrastructure Forum
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Publications

Digital Education at School in Europe – Eurydice Report
Climate change adaptation in the agriculture sector in Europe
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Links

Brexit preparedness checklist

Finland’s EU presideny website

More links