Main news from Brussels this week
date: 10/03/2017
European Council summit
On 9 March, EU Heads of State and Government met to discuss the most pressing issues, including jobs, growth and competitiveness, security, migration and the situation in the Western Balkans. Leaders noted that for the first time in almost a decade, all 28 economies are expected to grow over the next 2 years. They agreed that this good outlook needs to be sustained by continued structural reform efforts and determined action to complete the single market. Leaders also underlined trade policy as one of the most powerful engines for growth. They also discussed migration, welcoming the Commission's action plan and recommendation on returns. President Juncker called for renewed efforts in implementing agreed solidarity measures, whilst leaders agreed they would strive to agree on the asylum policy reforms by June. President Juncker welcomed the re-election of Donald Tusk to serve a second term as European Council President for the period 1 June 2017 – 30 November 2019. The meeting is reconvening today (10 March) as an informal summit of 27 member states, discussing the future of Europe in preparation for the 60th anniversary summit in Rome on 25 March.
Latest Copernicus launch into space will improve services for farmers, fishermen and other users of land and sea maps
The latest addition to the EU's Copernicus system of Earth observation satellites will halve the time needed to provide precision data to benefit farmers, builders, fishermen and anyone who needs rapid access to up-to-the-minute information on conditions on the ground. Copernicus can now build up an image covering the entire planet in just five days, cutting by half the time needed to image the globe.
Commission fines six car air conditioning and engine cooling suppliers €155 million in cartel settlement
The European Commission has fined Behr, Calsonic, Denso, Panasonic, Sanden and Valeo a total of €155 million (£132m) for taking part in one or more of four cartels concerning supplies of air conditioning and engine cooling components to car manufacturers in the European Economic Area (EEA). All six suppliers acknowledged their involvement in the cartels and agreed to settle the case. Denso was not fined for three of the cartels as it revealed their existence to the Commission. Panasonic was not fined for one of the cartels as it revealed its existence to the Commission.
New EU Commission portal for everyone to have their say on EU laws
The European Commission launched a new one-stop web page for citizens and stakeholders to have their say throughout the EU's policy-making cycle. Everyone can give feedback via the new page. This starts from the initial consultation stage. Business and members of the public can then continue to make input through to when the Commission makes formal legislative proposals and beyond that to the period when member states and MEPs are debating those proposals.
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here