Budget 2016 debate underway – EUbusiness Week newsletter 696

Publisher’s Note

The EU got down this week to preparing plans for next year’s budget, with Euro-MPs targeting growth, solidarity and paying the bills in their guidelines for the EU Budget 2016. Their priorities focus on job creation and entrepreneurship; and putting EU finances in order by tackling the overdue payments backlog and reforming the EU’s revenue system.

MEPs are keen that the 2016 budget should have a tangible positive impact on people’s lives. The Commission is now expected to follow Parliament in drawing up its budget proposal, which we should expect in late May.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

1. Greece allows lenders back as PM tries to win allies

Greece’s creditors returned to Athens Thursday for the first time since the left-wing Syriza party came to power, with the radical new government denying it had allowed back the hated “troika” it had vowed to shun.
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Greece, OECD launch reform partnership
Greece gets half-billion-euro lifeline

2. On ‘QE’ day, ECB launches new anti-deflation weapon

The European Central Bank on Monday set out on its massive bond purchase programme, its most audacious scheme yet to ward off deflation and stimulate growth in the single currency area.
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Bond purchases ‘will boost benefits from reforms’

3. Irish economy surges at fastest rate in Europe

Ireland’s economy grew at the fastest rate in the European Union last year, data showed Thursday as the eurozone nation added it would repay more IMF bailout loans early.
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4. Euro-Parliament adopts law for safer, greener trucks

The European Parliament has adopted a law allowing for longer heavier trucks as long as manufacturers build more aerodynamic, less polluting and less dangerous vehicles.
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5. EU must ‘apologise’ for bias in rate rigging case

European regulators mishandled an ongoing case on alleged interest rate rigging by some of world’s biggest banks and must apologise to France’s Credit Agricole for implying guilt, says Emily O’Reilly, the EU’s ombudsman.
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6. New battle of Waterloo as France blocks special euro coin

Belgium has hit out at France after Paris forced it to scrap a new two-euro coin celebrating the 200th anniversary of the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Net privacy: a Dutch court on Wednesday struck down a law requiring telecoms and Internet service providers to store their clients’ private phone and email data, saying it breached European privacy rules.
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Transit truckers file suit against German minimum wage
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

French reprieve: European finance ministers have approved a two-year extension for France to get its deficit within the bloc’s limits, despite accusations that bigger Member States are treated more leniently than smaller ones.
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Juncker investment plan clears key EU hurdle
EU seeks ways to stem tide of migrants
Iceland says dropping bid for EU membership
Council …

Commission Watch

Climate change: the EU has formally adopted climate change targets for December’s Paris conference including a 40 per cent cut in emissions by 2030, says Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete.
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Commission chief Juncker calls for EU army
US, EU in race to normalize Cuba ties
EU criticises Saudi silencing of Swedish minister speech
Commission …

Parliament Watch

Credit card fees: MEPs have backed a deal to cap the fees that banks charge businesses to process payments by credit and debit cards, saying it would lower costs for shoppers.
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Euro-MPs call for international probe into Nemtsov murder
EU fraud probe politically motivated: Le Pen
EP lifts immunity of MEP who is ex-Bulgarian premier
Also this week, MEPs in plenary called for binding human rights clauses in all EU international agreements; and the budget and economics committee said Parliament should have a bigger role in supervising operations of the new European Fund for Strategic Investment.
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EU diary

16 Mar: Foreign Affairs Council
16 Mar: Agriculture and Fisheries Council
16-20 Mar: European Parliament Committee Meetings
17 Mar: European Roadmap for Climate Services: launch workshop
19-20 Mar: European 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

Hungary denies EU nuclear veto report 12-Mar
Eurozone factory output falls in January 12-Mar
German industry slashes estimates of TTIP benefits 11-Mar
Israel demolishes EU-funded shelters in Jerusalem 10-Mar
EU rules out Venezuela sanctions for now 10-Mar
ECB fears unravelling of EU budget rules: report 10-Mar

EUbusiness Community

Press

Europe climate pledge fails the 2 degree test
Testbiotech files complaint about GRACE project
Social Dialogue needs new approach to tackle new challenges
More press …

Jobs

Research Assistant, Academy of European Law
Public Relations Officer, Academy of European Law
Trade and Business Analyst, Fertilizers Europe
Director, European Federation of Inland Ports
Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Plan EU Office
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Guides

Expert Guide for law firms facing difficulty
New EU rules for safer and more eco-friendly lorries
2015 EU Justice Scoreboard
Implementation of EU water legislation – report
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Events

24 Mar, Manchester: Enterprising Scientists: Generating Value and Opportunities
12 May, Copenhagen: European Climate Change Adaptation Conference
23 Jun, Budapest: European Funding Academy
More events …

Publications

ERM Annual Report 2014: Restructuring in the public sector
New psychoactive substances in Europe
More publications …

Links

Directive on Payment Services (PSD)

More links