29

Apr

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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28

Apr

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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28

Apr

EU member states approve ban on the use of three pesticides harmful to bees

EU member States on Friday approved a proposal from the European Commission to ban the use in the open of three pesticides found to be harmful to bees. The use…

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28

Apr

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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28

Apr

ECB retains same interest rates

This week, the European Central Bank announced that it will keep its interest rates unchanged. This decision was based on the ECB's regular economic and monetary analyses. In a statement, the…

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27

Apr

Libya: General Khalifa Haftar returns to Benghazi

Khalifa Haftar, a veteran general and the most powerful figure in eastern Libya, has returned to the eastern city of Benghazi following an extended absence, including reported treatment in a hospital…

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27

Apr

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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26

Apr

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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24

Apr

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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24

Apr

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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24

Apr

Brexit makes no sense at all – Jurgen Klopp

On the eve of an important UEFA Champions League Semi Final match against Roma (to be played today), Liverpool's coach Jurgen Klopp made an important statement in relation to BREXIT.…

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24

Apr

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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23

Apr

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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21

Apr

Northern Ireland’s Border remains an issue in BREXIT talks

The U.K.’s two post-Brexit customs proposals to solve the Northern Ireland border issue have been rejected by the EU. Earlier this week, a report on The Telegraph, indicated that the…

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21

Apr

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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20

Apr

Spain overtakes Italy, and it’s not about football.

Italy and Spain, often end up 'fighting it out' on the football pitch. The past weeks saw Roma and Juventus facing Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. The matches were the…

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20

Apr

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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19

Apr

European Citizen’s Initiative to address concern about use of toxic pesticides

Growing concern has been mounting among citizens of the EU on the use of toxic pesticides and their effect on people and the environment. This led to a European Citizens’…

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19

Apr

CNN: David Cameron says he doesn’t regret calling Brexit referendum

CNN: Former British Prime Minister David Cameron says he doesn't regret calling a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union -- but wishes the result had gone the other…

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17

Apr

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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15

Apr

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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15

Apr

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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14

Apr

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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10

Apr

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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10

Apr

18% increase in number of people who acquired EU citizenship

Eurostat data on those who acquired European Citizenship show that in 2016, 994 800 people obtained citizenship of an EU-28 Member State, a increase of 18 % compared with 2015. This increase occurred after…

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10

Apr

Hillary Clinton: Don’t let Brexit undermine Ireland’s peace

Hillary Clinton - Twenty years ago, the Good Friday/Belfast agreement helped bring an end to decades of conflict and violence in Northern Ireland. It was a watershed moment – the result of…

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10

Apr

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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07

Apr

The election in Hungary

Hungary’s right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who is the second-longest-serving government leader after Germany's Angela Merkel, seeks a third consecutive term in parliamentary elections on Sunday. Opinion polls show…

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05

Apr

Russia and UK’s future foreign policies post Salisbury

Sergei Scripal’s and his daughter’s poisoning came as a bolt out of the blue, barely a week before Russia’ deadweight presidential election. Russia has been adopting an emboldened projection of…

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05

Apr

Politico – Guy Verhofstadt on BREXIT

POLITICO: If there’s one member of the European Parliament who is thriving on the Brexit process (rather than mourning it, or popping Champagne bottles) it’s Guy Verhofstadt, leader of the liberal…

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05

Apr

Euro area annual inflation up to 1.4%

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be 1.4% in March 2018, up from 1.1% in February, according to a flash estimate from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European…

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05

Apr

Will Trump’s ‘trade war’ also impact the EU Common Agricultural Policy?

Politico reports that Brussels is fearing Spanish olives, and potentially the EU’s agricultural policy as a whole, are the next potential victims of Donald Trump’s “America First” policy. The U.S. Department…

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04

Apr

Cheap euro transfers everywhere in the Union and fairer currency conversions

The European Commission is proposing to make cross-border payments in euro cheaper across the entire EU. Under current rules, there is no difference for euro area residents or businesses if…

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04

Apr

February 2018 Euro area unemployment at 8.5% EU28 at 7.1% – Malta (with Germany) registers second lowest unemployment rate

The euro area (EA19) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 8.5% in February 2018, down from 8.6% in January 2018 and from 9.5% in February 2017. This is the lowest rate recorded…

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01

Apr

Tensions between Italy and France

Bardonecchia  - Italy summoned French ambassador over incident at border migrant clinic which has irked the Italian authorities in an incident which has proved to be an opportunity to be…

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30

Mar

Is Good Friday at risk because of Brexit ?

Northern Ireland is the part of the UK most distinctly affected by Brexit. The introduction of a ‘hard border’ with the Republic of Ireland is a particular concern, with customs…

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29

Mar

Cambridge Analytica helped ‘cheat’ Brexit vote and US election, claims whistleblower

Misuse of data and “cheating” by Cambridge Analytica and other companies associated with the firm may have altered the outcome of both the U.S. presidential election and the U.K.’s Brexit referendum,…

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29

Mar

Does cheese equal instability? What does cheese got to do with it?

Charles de Gaulle was right. The former president articulated the despair of French officials throughout history when he said, “How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?”…

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27

Mar

D|E Introducing our experts – Part 1

Ing. Philip Micallef has over thirty years experience in middle and senior management roles in both the public and private sectors in Malta, Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain and Bermuda. He holds…

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25

Mar

Former Catalan leader arrested in Germany – POLITICO

POLITICO reports that Former Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont was arrested on Sunday in Germany, his lawyer said. German police stopped Puigdemont after he crossed the border by car from Denmark on his…

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24

Mar

Brexit and Salisbury amongst the main issues discussed during the spring European Council

The spring European Council, meeting in an EU27 format, adopted the guidelines on the framework for a future relationship with the UK after Brexit. The Commission's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, updated…

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24

Mar

Corporate ID Group Announces New Appointments, New Brussels Office

Corporate ID Group is announcing new appointments and a new presence in Brussels through the opening of an EU Affairs office in Brussels. This new office will provide the relevant…

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24

Mar

An EU-wide survey reveals the Maltese have poor knowledge of food quality labels

An EU survey on the logos designating food quality has revealed poor knowledge of their significance across the continent, but ignorance was even more pronounced in Malta. While a third…

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24

Mar

Malta needs to depart from the myopic 5-year political cycle

Two recently published reports by two reputable international institutions seem to arriveat the same conclusion: Malta’s economy is growing by leaps and bounds, but significant challenges can already be spotted…

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