EU Commission

EU to phase out Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean

The EU's political and security committee agreed to phase out the Mediterranean migrant rescue Operation Sophia's mandate during a prolonged six-month period. All will depend on the final confirmation…

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EU plans speed limiting technology for vehicles from 2022

Speed limiting technology looks set to become mandatory for all vehicles sold in Europe from 2022, after new rules were provisionally agreed by the EU. Safety measures approved by the…

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Brexit: EU completes preparations for possible “no-deal” scenario on 12 April

In a press release issued Monday, the European Commission pointed out, that as it is increasingly likely that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union without a deal on…

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European Union’s top antitrust regulator joins list of candidates to replace Juncker

Margrethe Vestager, the European Union’s top antitrust regulator joined the list of candidates for the presidency of the next European Commission, a post up for grab after EU parliamentary elections…

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Brexit once more set to dominate EU summit

Theresa May, the British Prime Minister, travels to Brussels on Thursday to meet with EU leaders at the European Council and discuss a short delay to Brexit, which is…

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Corporate Dispatch Europe Explained – The Week Ahead

A quick glance at the main forthcoming events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings and other EU-related conferences and events. Main events for the week…

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The EU and the US concerned following reports that Italy is close to signing up to China’s Belt and Road initiative

The European Commission stressed the need for EU States to stay united following reports that Italy is close to signing up to China's huge Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.…

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EU plans to place Saudi Arabia on a money laundering blacklist blocked

The Financial Times reported that European Union plans to place Saudi Arabia and four US territories on a money laundering blacklist has suffered a humiliating defeat after virtually unanimous opposition…

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European Commission publishes detailed information on contingency work in event of no deal Brexit

The European Commission has today published detailed information on its ongoing preparedness and contingency work in the event of a no deal scenario in the Article 50 negotiations with the…

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EU Migration Mini-Summit underway

Politico reports that Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said he would put forward a “completely new proposal” for managing Europe’s most divisive political issue. Conte said the proposal, the “European Multilevel Strategy…

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According to EU Commission, Malta acted according to international rules

The Malta Independent : EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker told Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that according to the Commission’s appraisal, Malta behaved according to international rules in the Aquarius case.…

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EU Ombudsman sets up inquiry into appointment of Selmayr to role of European Commission Secretary-General

The EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly announced that she set up an inquiry into the rapid appointment of Martin Selmayr to the role of European Commission secretary-general. Earlier this month, she…

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EU proposes upgrade for Visa Information System

The European Commission proposed to upgrade the Visa Information System (VIS), the database containing information on persons applying for Schengen visas, in order to better respond to evolving security and…

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European Agenda on Migration: Still fragile situation gives no cause for complacency

While joint EU efforts have continued to show results, the situation remains fragile due to ongoing migratory pressure, as evidenced by newly increased arrivals along the Eastern and the Western…

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Juncker to meet Polish Prime Minister amid rule-of-law dispute between Poland and the EU

Poland’s prime minister and the European Commission chief will meet for talks on Wednesday amid a protracted rule-of-law dispute between Warsaw and Brussels, according to reports. Radio Poland, reports that the…

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WTO rules against the European Union in landmark Airbus, Boeing judgement

The World Trade Organisation ruled on Tuesday the European Union had ignored requests to halt all subsidies to plane maker Airbus, prompting the United States to threaten sanctions against European…

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Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on violence in Gaza and latest developments

Dozens of Palestinians, including children, have been killed and hundreds injured from Israeli fire today, during ongoing mass protests near the Gaza fence. We expect all to act with utmost…

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European Commission launches online public consultation

On Europe Day, the European Commission launched an online public consultation addressed to all Europeans, asking them what direction they want the European Union to take in the future. This…

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My Dream of A Truly EU Member State – Matthias Bartolo (16 Year old European Maltese)

The following are the views of Matthias Bartolo, a 16 year old Sixth Form Student attending St Martin’s College. Politics is a passion of his, along with being a football…

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Towards a stronger, more united Europe than ever. Dr. Elena Grech (Head of Maltese EC Representation)

The following reflections have been shared by Dr. Helena Grech, the Head of the Maltese EC Representation for Corporate Dispatch's special edition of Europe Explained on the occasion of Europe…

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The future of Europe is a choice – Federica Mogherini

The following is a message by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the Commission. The future of the European Union is a…

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Today, Europe stands at a crossroad – Antonio Tajani (President European Parliament)

Insight and reflection by European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, for Corporate Dispatch. Europe’s story is one of freedom and citizen rights, of 70 years of benefits that were simply unimaginable…

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We are stronger together – Roberta Metsola (MEP)

Insights and reflections on the occasion of Europe Day provided by MEP Roberta Metsola for Corporate Dispatch. Today marks the 68th anniversary of the day in 1950 when Robert Schuman,…

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Moving Europe forward together – Miriam Dalli (MEP)

Insights and reflections provided by MEP Miriam Dalli for Corporate Dispatch on the occasion of Europe Day. The European Union we live in today is very different to the one…

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Special edition of Europe Explained on the occasion of Europe Day

9th May is Europe Day. It involves all of the citizens of the EU because it celebrates the declaration delivered on 9th May 1950 by Robert Schuman. On that day…

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Proposals at EU level to deal with unfair competition rules in the airline industry

Watered-down proposals to tackle unfair competition from foreign airlines seem to be accepted by European diplomats. Countries, such as France and Germany, and the European Parliament, have pushed for airlines’…

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Malta and Estonia register highest increase in CO2 emissions – Eurostat

Eurostat estimates that in 2017 carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion increased by 1.8% in the European Union (EU), compared with the previous year. CO2 emissions are a…

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DiscoverEU – 15,000 teenagers to benefit from free Interrail pass

The European Commission took its first steps towards implementing a scheme that will give 15,000 teenagers a free Interrail pass once they turn 18 at the start of 2018. This…

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Karl Marx isn’t responsible for all the atrocity his alleged heirs have to answer for – Jean Claude Juncker

Jean Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission defended Karl Marx’s record as a philosopher, arguing that he is not “responsible” for mistakes and atrocities committed in his name…

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Analysing the EU’s Spring Economic Forecast

The European Commission yesterday published its Spring Economic Forecast. This forecast is based on a set of technical assumptions concerning exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices with a cut-off date of…

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EU Spring 2018 Economic Forecast: Expansion to continue amid new risks

"The economic expansion in Europe is set to continue at a solid pace this year and next, supporting further job creation. However, we also see increased risks on the horizon.…

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BREXIT – Britain will be unable to leave customs union before 2023

The Telegraph reports that the Cabinet's Brexit sub-committee informed ministers that Britain will be unable to leave the customs union before 2023. This sparked fears that the delay will be…

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Mixed Reactions on EU Budget Proposals

The general sentiment, among the richer states of theEU is that of revolt, at least that's how the Financial Times opens up its report on the reactions on the EU…

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European Commission proposed its post Brexit Budget – It proposes a new mechanism to protect the EU budget from financial risks linked to generalised deficiencies regarding the rule of law

The European Commission today unveiled its proposed budget for 2021-2027 describing it as a a pragmatic and modern. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Today is an important moment for our Union.…

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EU Commission to unveil budget plan

The European Commission is expected to unveil its seven year budget plan today. According to reports on the Financial Times, Brussels is seeking to increase the seven-year EU budget to approximately…

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Malta fl-Ewropa – 14-il sena wara. Riflessjonijiet

Erbatax-il sena ilu, Malta saret membru sħiħ tal-Unjoni Ewropeja. Kien mument storiku li għext mill-viċin u kellu tifsira kbira għal pajjiżi u għalija. Tul dawn l-erbatax-il sena pajjiżi inbidel u…

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BREXIT- The Lords deal another blow to May

The House of Lords has voted for an amendment to the Brexit withdrawal bill which gives the Parliament the final say on what the UK government should do if the deal…

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EU Commission proposes new rules to facilitate free movement of companies, safeguarding against unfair treatment of employees and tax evasion

The European Commission has proposed new rules aimed at facilitating the free movement of companies within the Union. This proposal seeks to harmonise rules on moving, merging and dividing companies…

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European Central Bank and Bank of England to meet on Brexit

The European Central Bank and the Bank of England will convene a technical working group on risk management in the period around 30 March 2019 in the area of financial services.…

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EU announces position on vaccines

The European Commission is issuing a set of recommendations for how the EU can strengthen cooperation in the fight against diseases that can be prevented by vaccines. This follows President…

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EU proposes measures to tackle online disinformation

The European Commission is proposing measures to tackle disinformation online, including an EU-wide Code of Practice on Disinformation, support for an independent network of fact-checkers, and a series of actions…

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Macron’s evolution towards becoming a global leader

There was a lot of anticipation for the visit of the French President to the United States. A lot of column inches and words have been said on what was…

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Decrease in European deficit and debt registered

In 2017, the government deficit and debt of both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28 decreased in relative terms compared with 2016. In the euro area the government deficit…

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EU Commission opens in-depth investigation into Italian State loan to Alitalia

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether Italy's bridge loan to Alitalia totalling €900 million constitutes State aid and whether it complies with EU rules for…

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EU Commission sets new, EU-wide rules for the protection of whistleblowers

Recent scandals such as Dieselgate, Luxleaks, the Panama Papers or the ongoing Cambridge Analytica revelations show that whistleblowers can play an important role in uncovering unlawful activities that damage the…

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New Poll shows Europeans think life is generally fair

New poll shows most Europeans think life is generally fair, but have concerns over justice, political decisions and income inequality. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker made fairness in the EU the cornerstone…

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MiFID II – Burdens, Challenges or Opportunities?

This year, Europe saw the update to the Markets in Financial Instrument Directive (MiFID II) come into force. Focusing on core principles of the creation of fairer, safer and more…

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Europe Explained – EU Enlargement Process Update

While it is generally known that the European Union is on a continuing path to further enlargement, few are those that know which process precedes a country becoming effectively a…

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15 years ago – The EU Big Enlargement Signed and Delivered

The 16 of April 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of the accession treaties of Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia,…

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First Citizens’ Dialogue in Gozo discussing the future of the Cohesion Policy for Malta and Gozo

In the first Citizens' Dialogue ever to be held on Gozo, the European Commission Representation in Malta will be discussing the future of the EU's Cohesion Policy with two EU…

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Europe’s vicious circle of misery

You feel World War III is fast approaching when you are in a room in Brussels, during a technical working group meeting, discussing money. Who gets to pay -…

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Air Strikes on Syria – Statement by Jean-Claude Juncker

The President of the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker issued the following statement. Last night, France, the United Kingdom and the United States responded in a coordinated military action to…

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EU countries to commit to doing more together on the digital front

Tomorrow the European Commission will bring ministers, representatives of EU countries, industry, academia and civil society representatives together to encourage cooperation in artificial intelligence, blockchain, eHealth and innovation. Discussions will…

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Hungary – Reactions to Orban’s Victory

Winning a two-thirds majority for the third time straight time in Sunday’s election, gives Victor Orban the power to change constitutional laws - potentially paving the way for further friction…

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