Other news
Revised rules on capital requirements (CRD IV): Statement by Commissioner Barnier following the ECOFIN Council
03/05/2012
"We have made real progress at this extraordinary Council. And I am convinced that at the next ECOFIN meeting on 15 May, on the basis of the very large consensus on the latest compromise text, the Council will be able to formally give the Presidency a mandate to start negotiations with the European Parliament".
Post-crisis policy measures in the financial sector give way to longer-term growth goals
26/04/2012
Resilience in the financial sector has improved in the aftermath of the financial crisis, and action is now focusing on longer-term growth goals, although vulnerabilities remain, according to an annual European Commission report on financial integration and stability.
Moving to full e-procurement by 2016
20/04/2012
Increasing the use of e-procurement in Europe can generate significant savings for European taxpayers. These savings would maximise the efficiency of public spending in the current context of fiscal constraints. E-procurement can also participate in providing new sources of economic growth and jobs. The European Commission has adopted a communication setting out a strategy to make the use of e-procurement the rule in the EU by mid-2016.
Anti-Money Laundering: creating a modern EU framework capable of responding to new threats
11/04/2012
The threats associated with money laundering and terrorist financing are constantly evolving, which requires periodic revision of the legal framework. In light of the recent adoption of revised international standards and of the Commission's own review process, a report on the application of the Third Anti-Money Laundering Directive was adopted by the Commission today. The Report analyses how the different elements of the existing framework have been applied and considers how the framework may need to be changed.
What does the single market mean to you? Join the ‘Generation 1992’ competition!
11/04/2012
As part of the events surrounding the 20th anniversary of the single market, the European Commission has launched a creativity competition for 20-year olds entitled ‘Generation 1992’. Entrants can submit essays, videos, photographs, cartoons or smartphone applications. The aim of the contest is to encourage reflection and discussion on the role of the single market in young people’s daily lives.
Commissioner Barnier welcomes the strengthening of intellectual property rights body
22/03/2012
"I am very pleased that, today, the Council has adopted an EU Regulation entrusting the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (OHIM) with new tasks. This marks an important step that should allow us to develop a better understanding of the impact of intellectual property right (IPR) infringements on the EU economy…
European Commission levels the playing field for European business in international procurement markets
21/03/2012
The European Commission proposes to improve business opportunities for EU firms in procurement markets. The main objective of the initiative is to help open worldwide public procurement markets and to ensure European businesses have fair access to them. The proposal also aims to ensure that all companies (both European and non-European firms) are on an equal footing when it comes to competing for business in the EU's lucrative public procurement market.
2012 – Financial regulation: going from repair work to forward-looking action
19/03/2012
"My priorities for 2012 focus on initiatives that see the financial sector as a source of financing for our economies, and therefore as an agent of economic growth…" Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the press conference launching the Green Paper on shadow banking, Brussels.
Shining a light on shadow banking
19/03/2012
In order to make the financial sector sounder and safer, it is now time to deal with the growing area of "shadow banking" – credit activity that is similar to a bank's, but is not regulated like a bank. To a certain extent, shadow banking performs important functions – for example, it creates additional sources of funding and offers investors alternatives to bank deposits. But it can also pose potential threats to long-term financial stability.
Commission acts to increase the safety and efficiency of securities settlement in Europe
07/03/2012
Commission acts to increase the safety and efficiency of securities settlement in Europe The European Commission has proposed to set up a European common regulatory framework for the institutions responsible for securities settlement, called Central Securities Depositories (CSDs). The proposal will bring more safety and efficiency to securities settlement in Europe. It also seeks to shorten the time it takes for securities settlement and to minimise settlement fails.
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