The Commission has launched a call for experts to join the five Mission Boards who will advise on the implementation of the EU Missions. The Missions aim to deliver solutions to key global challenges by 2030: Adaptation to Climate Change, Cancer, Restore our Ocean and Waters, Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities and A Soil Deal for Europe. Each Board will consist of up to 15 independent high-level experts with diverse profiles, such as from business, public administration, science, culture, citizen engagement, and civil society organisations, from across Europe and beyond. Building…
Read MoreMonth: January 2022
Agriculture: Notable growth in EU agri-food trade continues
The latest EU agri-food trade figures published on 4 January show that the total value of EU agri-food trade (exports plus imports) for January-September 2021 amounts to €239.5 billion, a 6.1% increase compared to the corresponding period last year. Exports were 8% higher at €145.2 billion, with imports increasing by 3.5% to reach €94.2bn. This reflects an overall agri-food trade surplus of €51bn for the first nine months of the year, an increase of 17% compared to the same period in 2020. The largest increase in exports were those to the United…
Read MoreFrench EU Presidency kicks-off in Paris with common vision of priorities
After France took over the EU Presidency at the start of the new year it welcomed the European Commission on 6 – 7 January in Paris for working meetings to prepare legislative deadlines and to agree on key joint priorities for the months to come. The meetings marked the formal start of the French Presidency. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her college of Commissioners met the French President Emanuel Macron and the Presidents of the French Senate and the National Assembly. The visit allowed for discussions between…
Read MoreCan Union become football champions? “First sleep a lot, eat well and recover”
n football, action in the top flight has come to a close for this year. Union are the proud leaders, while Beerschot are in dire straits with 21 of the 34 days of play of the normal competition behind us. The top flight, dubbed the Jupiler Pro League, resumes on 14 January. Beerschot were downed 0-7 at home by in-form Anderlecht yesterday. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing that no spcectators were allowed at the Kiel, Beerschot’s home ground in Antwerp, some said after the match. Everything that can go…
Read MoreInternal issues aside, Slovenia’s EU presidency a ‘success’
During its six-month EU presidency, Slovenia successfully led the process of adopting European legislation, but that has been somewhat overshadowed by concerns from Brussels about the rule of law in Slovenia, particularly the government’s attitude towards the media and its failure to appoint the European delegated prosecutors. “Slovenia’s presidency has seen a number of achievements – successful coordination among EU member states and negotiations with the European Parliament on behalf of the Council,” said Sabina Lange, senior lecturer at the European Institute of Public Administration and Associate Professor of International…
Read MorePolice in Antwerp targeted with fireworks during New Year’s Eve
Antwerp police had to intervene in several places around the city on New Year’s Eve. In total, 58 people were arrested, according to Belga News Agency. Several fires were also set off throughout the city. In the commune of Berchem, modeps, cars and bus shelters were destroyed. Due to the widespread unrest, Antwerp police said they were unable to check whether all restaurants respected the mandatory closing time of 11 pm. “We believe this rule was well respected overall, because there were a lot of people on the streets after…
Read More2021 one of the rainiest year in history in Belgium
2021 was slightly colder than average in Belgium, according to observations by the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) in Uccle, Brussels. Globally however, the World Meteorological Organization noted that 2021 was the 6th warmest year in history, according to Belga News Agency. Throughout the year, temperatures did not exceed 29.5°C, RMI furthermore noted. A lower value than this was recorded only back in 1988. In addition, no heat waves were recorded, which ends a six-year heat wave streak. Heavy rain and floods The past year has also been characterized by high…
Read MoreWhy financial services are counting on digital trust
Electronic signatures could become more popular if proposed EU rulebook reforms pass, according to a paper published by the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology. Delano spoke with Lhoft’s Jérôme Verony about digital IDs in the financial sector. The European Commission has proposed changes to the EU’s 2018 regulation on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions (known as eIDAS). The refinements could make digital IDs more widely used across the bloc and, coupled with an existing Luxembourg archiving law, could create a “competitive edge” for firms based in the…
Read MoreEU Central banks in the spotlight
Inflation, pandemic, geopolitics, sustainable finance… Four chief economists of the financial market sat down around a table, at the invitation of Paperjam, and shared their prospective analysis for the year 2022. Apart from inflation, the other issue that worries investors is the extremely low policy rates applied by central banks, which have to play both sides of the fence. The maintenance of monetary and financial equilibrium will largely depend on their decisions. Regular columnists at Paperjam and used to the exercise, Olivier Goemans, portfolio manager, advisory coordinator and head of…
Read MoreTwo decades on, euro can’t shake reputation as price driver
Europeans have been living with euro banknotes and coins for 20 years now, but many still point the finger at the single currency for covertly driving up consumer prices — despite plenty of evidence to the contrary. “The euro is a catastrophe, it’s catastrophic,” says Maria Napolitano, a 65-year-old Italian living in Frankfurt. “With 100 deutschmarks, you could fill up your shopping trolley. Now, 100 euros aren’t enough to fill two bags.” A deutschmark is roughly 50 eurocents. It’s an impression that is shared by many across the eurozone, from…
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