EUbusiness Week 693 top stories: Greek PM in ‘positive’ talks with Merkel despite snub; New EU sanctions hit two Russian deputy defence ministers; ECB minutes reveal differences over QE tool; Eurozone economy grows as cheap oil takes hold; WTO rules against China in row with EU over steel pipes
Publisher’s Note
The Commission unveiled a Green Paper this week for a single market for capital, with the aim of breaking down barriers that block cross-border investments and prevent access to finance for European businesses.
Businesses in Europe traditionally receive funding from the banks, with relatively little coming from capital markets. The balance elsewhere however is the other way round. And opportunities for a true single market for capital are significant: if EU venture capital markets were as deep as the US, around EUR 90 billion more in funds would have been available to companies between 2008 and 2013.
More …
Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
.EU AND EUROPEAN DOMAIN NAMES Lowest prices and free DNS Services! Fast, Easy & Centralised Registration! |
1. Greek PM in ‘positive’ talks with Merkel despite snub
Prime Minister Alexis Tspiras spoke to German Chancellor Angela Merkel for nearly an hour on Thursday in what a government source said was “a positive climate” aimed at calming the bailout crisis.
More …
Facts on Greece’s request for six-month EU loan
What’s at stake in a ‘Grexit’?
2. New EU sanctions hit two Russian deputy defence ministers
The EU included two Russian deputy defence ministers in its latest Ukraine sanctions list, hitting them with travel bans and asset freezes for their role in the conflict.
More …
Russia vows to respond to ‘illogical’ EU sanctions
3. ECB minutes reveal differences over QE tool
The European Central Bank revealed Thursday that there were divisions on its policy-setting governing council over the use of its new anti-deflation tool, but a “large majority” had voted for it as previous measures were insufficient.
More …
ECB says profits down in 2014
4. Eurozone economy grows as cheap oil takes hold
Economic activity in the eurozone picked up slightly in fourth quarter, official EU data shows, in a sign that the benefits of cheap oil and stimulus by the European Central Bank are taking effect.
More …
5. WTO rules against China in row with EU over steel pipes
A WTO panel largely has ruled against China in its row with the European Union and Japan over Chinese anti-dumping duties on imports of steel pipes.
More …
EUROPEAN LAW
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
More …
Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Ukraine: the European Union on Wednesday condemned a rebel offensive against the strategic town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine as a “clear violation” of an internationally-backed ceasefire.
More …
German anti-euro party wins first seats in western state
Council …
Commission Watch
Zimbabwe: the EU has unveiled a USD 270m aid package to support Zimbabwe’s agriculture and health sectors, marking the resumption of direct funding after more than 10 years.
More …
EU boosts Italy migrant aid
Commission …
Parliament Watch
External Parliamentary activities this week, with delegations at the WTO Parliamentary Conference in Geneva, and on a visit to the headquarters of the EU border agency Frontex.
More …
EU diary
23 Feb: Shale gas in a low-carbon Europe
23-24 Feb: European Parliament Committee Meetings
24 Feb: How digital is your country? New EU Digital Index
25 Feb: European Parliament plenary session
25 Feb: Commission presents Energy Union Strategy
26 Feb: Commission adopts monthly infringements package
26 Feb: European Parliament Committee Meetings
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
Greek debt crisis timeline 19-Feb
ECB extends emergency funding to Greek banks: source 18-Feb
Fans protest as ‘Russian Sinatra’ hit by EU sanctions 17-Feb
Greece can survive till summer without EU deal 16-Feb
EU urges joint action to stop Libya ‘breaking apart’ 16-Feb
EUbusiness Community
PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY ON EUBUSINESS Present your organisation’s business and product information, press releases, and calls for proposals directly to Europe’s decision-makers |
Press
New legislation For UK SME Bank Declines Takes Larger Step Forward
Capital Markets Union: Commission ticks the right boxes
EU Non-Recognition Policies Need Consistency
More press …
Jobs
Media Officers, European Investment Bank
Secretary, Green Budget Europe
Legal Advisor, European Chemicals Agency
General Secretary, Association of European Energy Exchanges
More jobs …
Guides
Green light for SME financing under Europe investment plan
EC Capital Markets Union to build a single market for capital
More guides …
Events
17 Mar, Milan: Horizon 2020: SME Instrument: training course
24 Mar, Manchester: Enterprising Scientists: Generating Value & Opportunities
23 Apr, Rome: Annual FOODSEG Symposium
More events …
Publications
EU sanctions against Russia impact on reported restructuring job losses in Europe
More publications …
Links
European Company Survey 2013 – Eurofound
Complaints, Complainants, and Rulings Regarding Drug Promotion in the UK & Sweden 2004 – 2012