By Martin Banks The European rail supply industry says it “supports” a major new competition report’s recommendations. The sector says this could cut emissions, lower freight costs by 10% and “drive investment in rail.” The report on the future of European competitiveness was authored by former Italian PM Mario Draghi. It sets out the former […]
By Martin Banks A senior MEP says the outcome of a high profile court case on Tuesday was a “landmark victory” for the EU. The comments come after Europe’s top court backed the EU crackdown against Apple’s Irish tax deal and Google’s anti-competitive practices in two cases. Apple was told to pay €13bn in unpaid […]
By Martin Banks A major new report, which looks at the challenges faced by the industry and companies in the Single Market, has been given a guarded welcome. The findings of the report on the Future of EU Competitiveness seeks to contribute to the Commission’s work on a new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and […]
By Martin Banks A major new report voices optimism about the future of the troubled agricultural sector in Europe. This is despite concerns voiced by farmers in the recent past that the industry attracted insufficient support at national and EU level. The report, by the 29 members of the EU’s “Strategic Dialogue”, says that a […]
By Martin Banks Fresh efforts are being made by the EU to help tackle a crisis in nursing. The EU Commission said it had moved to support Member States in retaining nurses in their health systems and “make the profession more attractive to nurses.” The EC said the signing of a “contribution agreement” with the […]
By Martin Banks The first three years of the EU’s €724 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) have seen delays in funds being disbursed and projects being implemented. That is according to a worrying report published on Tuesday by the EU watchdog. The delays, they say, “put at risk the achievement of goals for helping […]
By Martin Banks Julia Leferman has officially assumed her role as the new Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe, the body that represents the huge brewing sector in Europe. She describes it as a “bold vision to position beer at the centre of European Union policy.” Leferman’s leadership, she said, will focus on driving […]
By Martin Banks The European Commission has launched a call for nominations of scientists to be shortlisted for future membership of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. The group provides high-quality, timely and independent scientific advice to the College of European Commissioners on any subject, including on policy issues that the European Parliament and the […]
By Martin Banks The centre-right European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament has been constituted. Nicola Procaccini (Fratelli d’Italia, Italy) and Joachim Brudziński (PiS, Poland) are the new joint leaders Assita Kanko (N-VA, Belgium), Hermann Tertsch (Vox, Spain), Alexandr Vondra (ODS, Czech Republic) and Charlie Weimers (Sverigedemokraterna, Sweden) are its deputy leaders. Meanwhile, […]
By Martin Banks Malta has not escaped some criticism from the EU in its annual rule of law report. The keenly awaited report from the Commission covers all Member States and none escape some criticism over the issue. These include the Maltese government which has found itself at odds with the EU at times in […]
