The Newsletter n°749 — 27 févr. 2017
La Lettre
Henri Thomé
—
27 February 2017
The market economy is changing and will change profoundly the business model of all activities. Hence we have to understand how to manage this raw material that data has become and how to regulate this new economy. The status of property is the focus of thought, the imperatives of competition and personal data protection likewise, whilst innovation in the supply of services and products will be a factor of economic development. Debate at European level has been launched.
Elections
General Elections in Bulgaria on 26th March
27 February 2017
On 26th March the Bulgarians are being called to ballot to renew the 240 MPs in their Parliament. 12 parties and 9 coalitions are running in these elections. According to the most recent poll by Trend, the GERB is running neck and neck with the Socialist Party (BSP) with 29.7% and 28.7% respectively.
Financial Crisis
Portugal reimburses half of the aid received
27 February 2017
On 22nd February the IMF welcomed the economic and financial stabilisation of Portugal which succeeded in limiting its budgetary deficit to 2.1% of the GDP in 2016. On 20th February Portugal made a payment of 1.7 billion € to the IMF, reimbursing half of the aid it initially received.
The GDP of the OECD area at 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2016
27 February 2017
According to a communication published by the OECD on 20th February the GDP of the OECD was slightly down in the fourth quarter of 2016, in comparison with 0.5% in the third quarter. This places it on equal footing with the euro area's GDP in the fourth quarter.
The euro area's economic growth gathers pace
27 February 2017
The growth of private activity of the euro area gathered pace in February in comparison with January said a first composite PMI index published on 21st February by the consultancy Markit.
Commission
Assessment of the Member States' economic and social progress
26 February 2017
On 22nd February the European Commission published a report on the progress made by 27 Member States (except for Greece) towards the economic and social goals set in the Winter Package of the European Semester as well as the Budgetary Pact (TSCG) and the Italian debt.
Speech by Jean-Claude Juncker on the future of Europe
27 February 2017
On 24th February the President of the European Commission called on the Member States for unity and advocated for an answer to be given to the issue of knowing whether those in Europe who want to move forward more rapidly should be allowed to do so.
Study of trade agreements and the food sector
27 February 2017
On 27th February the European Commission communicated the results of an independent study of trade agreements and the food sector. It notes that trade agreements have helped stimulate agricultural exports and supported employment in the food sector.
Parliament
Infographics of spending and contributions to the European budget per Member State
27 February 2017
On 24th February the European Parliament published an infographic which explains the spending and contribution made by each Member State to the European budget and how European funds are used in each country.
Council
Results of the Economy and Finance Ministers' meeting
27 February 2017
On 21st February the 28 Economy and Finance Ministers adopted new rules to prevent tax evasion. They expressed their priorities for the EU's 2018 budget which should find a balance between budgetary consolidation and new investments.
Council: visas and sanctions
27 February 2017
On 27th February the Council adopted new restrictive measures against North Korea and Belarus. It also adopted a regulation on the liberalisation of visas for Georgians travelling to the EU and a regulation revising the mechanism suspending the existing visa liberalisation agreements.
Conclusions of the Energy Council
28 February 2017
The 28 ministers responsible for energy assessed the proposals put forward by the Commission on "clean energy for all Europeans" which has three main goals: energy efficacy, world leadership in renewable energies and fair treatment of consumers. The main goal is to transform the Union into a low carbon economy by 2030.
Diplomacy
Meeting with American Vice-President Mike Pence
27 February 2017
The USA are determined to "continue cooperation and partnership with the EU" maintained the American Vice-President Mike Pence on 20th February on the occasion of his meeting with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.
Weimar Triangle
27 February 2017
The French, German and Polish Finance Ministers examined the fight to counter the financing of terrorism and tax evasion as well as developments in view of the Brexit.
ECB
Investments in the euro area
27 February 2017
The European Central Bank (ECB) published its data showing that euro area investors are placing an increasing share of their money abroad, in spite of an economic improvement and the ECB's support.
Germany
Franco-German letter in view of improving security in the EU
27 February 2017
On 21st February the German and French Home Affairs Ministers put forward some Franco-German proposals in the shape of a joint letter, to improve security within the EU.
Germany's government surplus at its highest since the reunification
26 February 2017
According to figures published by Destatis on 23rd February, Germany registered a budgetary surplus of 23.7 billion € in 2016, the highest since the reunification in 1990. Economic growth lay at 0.4% in the fourth quarter of 2016.
Meeting with the Lithuanian Prime Minister
27 February 2017
On 23rd February German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis in Berlin to discuss the future of the European Union, energy issues and also the presence of the Bundeswehr in Lithuania as part of a NATO initiative.
Spain
25th Franco-Spanish Summit
27 February 2017
On 20th February in Malaga the 25th Franco-Spanish Summit took place during which a joint declaration was adopted which sends out a message of unity, determination and firm commitment to the European project.
France
Franco-German call to control foreign investment more effectively
27 February 2017
The French Economy Minister Michel Sapin and his German counterpart Brigitte Zypries are advocating a better control of foreign investments in the EU so as to ensure that "strategic economic branches" are not destabilised.
Latvia
Latvian Parliament ratifies the EU-Canada Agreement
26 February 2017
On 23rd February the Latvian Parliament ratified the free trade agreement between the EU and Canada. It is the first European State to do so.
The Netherlands
The Dutch Parliament ratifies the EU-Ukraine agreement
26 February 2017
The lower chamber of the Dutch parliament approved the compromise over the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement 89 votes to 55, achieved in Brussels by the Prime Minister Mark Rutte after the rejection of the text during a referendum in April.
Poland
Poland rejects Europe's criticism regarding the rule of law
27 February 2017
On 20th February in response to the European Commission, Poland deems that the declarations about a systemic threat being made to the rule of law is unfounded and that the changes brought to the functioning of the Constitutional Court are "in line with European standards."
UK
David Davis acknowledges the importance of European workers for the UK
27 February 2017
On 21st February following his trips to the three Baltic countries, the Secretary of State responsible for the Brexit, David Davis maintained that the UK would not suddenly close its door on unskilled European workers.
Ukraine
18 million € for Ukraine
27 February 2017
The EU has announced that it is to provide an additional 18 million € in aid to Ukraine so that it can overcome the humanitarian in the east of the country.
WTO
Entry into force of the trade facilitation agreement
26 February 2017
On 22nd February the WTO's trade facilitation agreement came into force. It aims to simplify and clarify international import and export procedures, customs formalities and transit requirements.
The WTO declares the Russian embargo against European pork illegal
27 February 2017
On 23rd February the WTO's Appellate Body confirmed that the Russian embargo on pork and other pig products decided upon in 2014 infringes the rules of international trade.
Eurostat
Euro area annual inflation rates up
27 February 2017
The EU's annual inflation rate lay at 1.7% in January 2017, against 1.2% in December 2016 and that of the euro area lay at 1.8% against 1.1% according to a Eurostat study published on 22nd February.
Studies/Reports
The transfer of arms in the world has reached record levels since the Cold War
27 February 2017
According to the report on the transfer of arms in the world by the International Peace Research Institute in Stockholm (SIPRI) published on 20th February the sales of arms increased by 8.4% in the world over the last 10 years.
Discovery of Seven Planets
26 February 2017
In a study published on 22nd February astronomers revealed that they have discovered a system of seven planets, which are around the size of the earth, rotating around a dwarf star. To do this they used ground and space telescopes, amongst which feature the Very Large Telescope (VLT) at the European Southern Observatory.
Uncertainty weighs over world trade according to the World Bank
27 February 2017
According to a study based on 18 countries and published by the World Bank on 21st February, uncertainty in terms of economic policy in 2016 might have reduced trade growth by 0.6% between 2015 and 2016, which represents around 75% of the difference between trade growth rates in 2015 and 2016.
Commisson report for healthier food in schools
27 February 2017
On 22nd February the European Commission's centre of research and the Maltese presidency of the Council of the EU presented a technical report to help the Member States introduce healthier food into schools, notably as a part of the fight to counter obesity.
Culture
Songwriters Festival Belfast
27 February 2017
From 1st to 5th March the Belfast-Nashville Songwriters Festival takes place bringing together more than 100 local and international folk music artists. 30 concerts are organised around the city.
Pissarro Exhibition at the Marmottan Museum Paris
27 February 2017
The Marmottan Monet Museum is running the first monographic exhibition devoted to Camille Pissarro in the last 36 years. 75 works from museums around the world and private collections are on show to the public.
Exhibition devoted to the Bauhaus Motion in Berlin
27 February 2017
An exhibition entitled "Bauhaus in Motion" is taking place until 5th March 2018 at the Bauhaus Archiv/Museum of Graphism in Berlin. On this occasion the various facets of this movement are explored.
Tuulikki Pietilä Exhibition Helsinki
27 February 2017
From 28 February to 9th April the Ateneum Helsinki is showing 170 pieces of work by Tuulikki Pietilä, a Finnish post-war artist.
Exhibition Giovanni Boldini in Rome
27 February 2017
The Complesso del Vittoriano in Rome is running an exhibition devoted to Giovanni Boldini, a grand Italian master of the "Belle Epoque" from 4th March to 16th July.
Documentary Festival in Thessaloniki
27 February 2017
From 3rd to 12th March the documentary festival is taking place in Thessaloniki. This mainly involves politically engaged cinema and themes targeting social causes.
Art Up! Contemporary Art Fair in Lille
27 February 2017
The contemporary art fair of Lille, Art Up! is taking place from 2nd to 5th March at the Grand Palais of Lille, and is hosting artists' works (painting, drawings, sculptures, photos) as well as publishers (videos, photos, books) who have come from all over France and Europe.
Agenda
27th February
Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Brussels)
28th February
Environment Council (Brussels)
3rd March
"Employment, Social Policy" Council (Brussels)
6th March
"Foreign Affairs" Council "Agriculture and Fisheries" Council (Brussels)
Newsletter Archives
Ukraine's accession negotiations with the European Union: reforms undertaken in ten years and the challenges ahead
Draghi Report: as strategic a guide as it is diplomatic for Europe
A Union of criminal law - the vital European area of freedom, security and justice.
General elections 26 October in Georgia: a referendum on Europe
What the European Parliament should ask of future Commissioners
The Editors of the Newsletter :
Charles de Marcilly, Helen Levy ,Léa Degorre, François Frigot, Hanna Létang,Elise Mathevon, Athina Reuter, Lorène Weber
N°ISSN : 2729-6482
Editor-in-Chief :
Eric Maurice
Director of Publication :
Pascale Joannin
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