These rules will contribute to removing important barriers to the development of capital markets by providing more legal certainty to cross-border investors and companies operating across the EU. Once in force, the agreement will cut tariffs, increase business opportunities, widen consumer choice, cut red tape, boost growth and competitiveness, promote shared values like sustainable development and create jobs. The first section explains in brief what the EU is. EU flags at the European Commission Berlaymont headquarters fly at half-mast after the death of the former President of France, Jacques Chirac, Brussels, Belgium, 30 September 2019. Healthy public finances are an essential basis for economic stability and sustainable growth.
Intellectual property rights are important for economic growth and crucial for the EU’s ability to stimulate innovation and stay competitive globally. In its proposals for country-specific recommendations to each Member State, the Commission sets targets to help them reach their medium-term budgetary objectives. To help farmers strengthen their position in an increasingly market-oriented agri-food sector, the Commission has been working towards a fairer and more balanced food-supply chain.

Of those projects, 39 (€117 million) will reduce the noise generated by freight trains, develop cross-border railway links and upgrade crucial infrastructure in ports. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand, meets with Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, Brussels, Belgium, 25 January 2019. At the Brussels III Conference on Syria in March, the EU pledged €560 million for 2020 to support humanitarian, resilience and development activities in the country as well as in Jordan and Lebanon. They set out 10 concrete actions that were then discussed by leaders at the European Council on 21 March. In 2018, the Commission presented its vision for a climate-neutral EU by 2050 based on seven building blocks: increased energy efficiency; increased use of renewables; a clean and connected mobility system; a competitive circular economy industry; connected high-standard infrastructures; a boost in the bio-economy and natural carbon sinks; and the use of carbon capture and storage.

Whether you find yourself in a small village or large city, there’s no better way to appreciate local customs and traditions than by seeking these out on your next Eurail journey. With the new rules, judicial cooperation will be faster and more efficient to make sure that the best interests of the children come first.

The EU’s focus on economic growth, job creation and investment was evident throughout the year and across its full range of activities, especially in the European Semester, its annual cycle of economic policy coordination, and its monitoring of public finances. It also held three rounds of negotiations for a trade agreement with Indonesia.

Our goal is to reconcile the economy with our planet, to reconcile the way we produce and the way we consume with our planet and to make it work for our people.


Over 212 000 people of all ages and backgrounds took part, along with the President and Vice-Presidents of the Commission, Commissioners, Members of the European Parliament, national politicians and EU officials. Investing in education and skills is essential to sustain innovation and productivity growth, especially in a rapidly changing world of work with rising skills shortages.

Print out this worksheet and have pupils label a map of Europe with the members of the EU.

It has also made it simpler to make euro transactions across the entire EU as well as easier for authorities to detect value added tax (VAT) fraud. In line with WTO rules and EU legislation, the EU opened 15 new investigations into, and imposed seven new trade defence measures against, dumped and subsidised imports. It sets minimum requirements for Member States and gives each parent the right to at least 4 months of parental leave, of which 2 months cannot be transferred from one parent to another and should be compensated at an adequate level set by Member States. It also published its third comprehensive Annual Report assessing the implementation of the EU’s trade agreements. There are even books on the subject. The decision took effect on 16 November 2019.

The former will replace the current method of manually stamping passports with an electronic record of identity and travel document data, as well as places and dates of entries and exits. To this end, the Commission has provided financial support, including under the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. For example, Slovenia’s banks completed the restructuring process that they had begun in 2012/2013. This was provided under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Internal Security Fund (ISF) and the Emergency Support Instrument. During these workshops citizens discussed what matters to them, created proposals on the future they want for Europe and then debated these ideas with an EU decision-maker. SMEs represent 99 % of all businesses in Europe and are a crucial part of the EU economy. Thanks to the budget, Member States gain from being part of the Single Market and being able to address challenges like migration and fighting terrorism and climate change together. The deal will help us to produce, move, consume and live in a more environmentally responsible way while leaving no individual or region behind.

For instance, thanks to €32.5 million from the European Investment Fund, announced in April, the Venture Capital Fund in Croatia will invest in new projects with high growth potential in the country. E.U.

The completion of the Energy Union solidified Europe’s position as a global leader in energy efficiency and renewable-energy technologies and will underpin the clean-energy transition in all sectors of the economy. In June, the Commission published the final report of the High-Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain, which provides recommendations on fair and efficient trading practices and transparency. BELGIUM. The ETIAS will also ensure that national authorities have more information on whether persons travelling visa free to the EU could pose a security or irregular immigration risk before they arrive at the external borders. In addition, the EU and Mercosur have committed themselves to effectively implement the Paris Agreement on climate change. The Finnish Lapland scenery is gradually glowing in autumn colours Enjoy this Lapland live camera view until the… https://t.co/wo2eS3bxzi, @Jessinl Hello!