New markets for EU services – EUbusiness Week newsletter 733 – EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 733 top stories: Eurozone growth forecast cut on China, migrant risks; Cameron urges unity on EU as eurosceptic attacks begin; EU, US agree new Internet ‘Privacy Shield’; MEPs back diesel test loopholes despite VW scandal; Europe must ‘act early’ to prevent Zika spread: WHO; Controversy over German plans to cap cash transactions

Publisher’s Note

Ongoing talks on a Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) took the spotlight this week when Euro-MPs set out guidelines for a deal to establish global minimum requirements for trade in sectors such as financial, digital and transport services.

An agreement which delivers more opportunities for European firms to supply services in third countries can have a big impact in Europe. The EU is the world’s largest exporter of services, with 25 per cent of global services exports coming from the EU. And within the EU, 70 per cent of EU jobs are derived from services.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. Eurozone growth forecast cut on China, migrant risks

The EU has cut its eurozone growth forecasts for this year, warning that the slowdown in China and Europe’s biggest migrant crisis since World War II could chill the economy.
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Portugal cabinet adopts budget without EU blessing

2. Cameron urges unity on EU as eurosceptic attacks begin

Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday fended off attacks from eurosceptics and a hostile press over proposed reforms to keep Britain in the EU that Brussels defended as a “fair” deal for all.
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EU leaders not happy with ‘Brexit’ offer: sources

3. EU, US agree new Internet ‘Privacy Shield’

The EU and United States have struck a new deal on data transfers relied on by Facebook and Google, after Europe’s top court struck down the previous pact for failing to protect users from US spying.
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4. MEPs back diesel test loopholes despite VW scandal

Euro-MPs on Wednesday waved through plans to allow diesel car makers to exceed pollution limits, in a big victory for the auto industry after the Volkswagen scandal.
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5. Europe must ‘act early’ to prevent Zika spread: WHO

The World Health Organization is urging European countries to act swiftly to fend off the mosquito-born virus Zika, which is suspected of a surge in brain damaged babies in South America.
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6. Controversy over German plans to cap cash transactions

A proposal by German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble to introduce a ceiling for cash payments to help combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism came under fire in Germany Thursday.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Thai seafood: Thai police said Monday over 100 people have been arrested in a crackdown on human trafficking since the European Union threatened to boycott the country’s multi-billion dollar fishing industry over the issue.
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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

‘Brexit’ proposals: Council head Donald Tusk on Tuesday unveiled a package of EU reforms demanded by British Prime Minister David Cameron in return for backing the country’s continued membership of the bloc.
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Germany calls EU plans to avoid Brexit ‘ambitious’
Hollande opposed to ‘new negotiations’ over UK deal
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Commission Watch

Terror financing: the Commission unveiled plans on Tuesday to choke off financing of terrorist groups, with France pushing hard for a crackdown after last year’s deadly attacks in Paris.
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EU urges Greece to take steps to tighten external border
Israel demolishes EU-funded Palestinian buildings
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Parliament Watch

ECB: the European Central Bank is prepared to play its part in helping the economic recovery, president Mario Draghi told MEPs in a debate broadcast live online on Monday, but he warned of risks to growth.
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In plenary this week, MEPs urged the Commission to table a new gender equality strategy. They also called for urgent action to protect religious minorities against ISIS, and said the EU must maintain its aid to Libya.
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EU diary

9-12 Feb: Barcelona Convention meeting
9-10 Feb: Antimicrobial Resistance Conference
9 Feb: European Green Capital handover ceremony
11 Feb: Eurogroup
12 Feb: Economic and Financial Affairs Council
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary