The future of EU finances
In less than five months, the Commission will propose the next long-term budget for the EU – the Multiannual Financial Framework or "MFF" – after 2020. On 10 January, EU Commissioners held a first discussion on the next MFF. Resources are stretched at the seams but the EU budget is expected to continue investing in growth, jobs and innovation while addressing the major challenges of the decade to come – the digital revolution, globalisation, climate change, as well as migration, defence and security. The Commission also discussed potential new sources of direct funding to the EU budget such as a tax on plastics to incentivise the reduced use of plastic packaging.
Commission proposes to invest €1 billion in world-class European supercomputers
On 11 January, the European Commission announced plans to invest jointly with member states and private partners in high-performance computers (HPC) – machines that process complex scientific or engineering tasks which require significant computational power beyond the capacity of every day computers. These supercomputers and the technology behind them underpin long-term weather forecasts and predictions of natural disasters, the design of renewable energy parks or precision medicine for personalised cancer treatment.
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Consumers to benefit from cheaper, safer and more innovative electronic payments
European consumers will be able to reap the full benefits of paying online for goods and services, thanks to new rules that will make it cheaper, easier and safer to make electronic payments. The revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2), which will apply as of tomorrow (13 January), aims to modernise Europe's payment services to the benefit of both consumers and businesses, so as to keep pace with this rapidly evolving market. The revised Payment Services Directive was first proposed by the Commission in July 2013. Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President responsible for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union said. "This legislation is another step towards a digital single market in the EU. It will promote the development of innovative online and mobile payments, which will benefit the economy and growth. With PSD2 becoming applicable, we are banning surcharges for consumer debit and credit card payments. This could save more than €550 million per year for EU consumers. Consumers will also be better protected when they make payments."
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Q&A
Institutional priorities for 2018
On 10 January, EU Commissioners discussed the institutional priorities for 2018, a year to deliver on the reform of the Economic and Monetary Union, secure the EU's borders, overhaul the EU's asylum system, get back to a fully functioning Schengen area, complete the Digital Single Market, and bring the Western Balkans closer to the Union. Discussions also included an overview of the major new proposals to be expected for 2018, which will feed into the Roadmap for a more united, stronger and more democratic Union.
President Juncker and EU Commissioners in Sofia for the opening of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU
The College of Commissioners were in Sofia this week to mark the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Today (12 January), the College participated in meetings with the Bulgarian government to discuss the main priorities of the Presidency around the following themes: 1. External relations, security and defence, migration and justice; 2. An inclusive and sustainable Europe closer to the citizens; 3. A competitive, innovative and digital Europe.
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here
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