Main news from Brussels this week
date: 26/05/2017
Presidents Juncker and Tusk at 43rd G7 summit in Taormina
President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, will represent the EU at this year's G7 summit taking place today and tomorrow (26-27 May) in Italy. Discussions will focus on a wide range of issues covering the safety and security of EU citizens, trade, globalisation, the global economy, as well as environmental and social sustainability and the reduction of inequalities, notably in the labour market. The EU is a full member of the G7 (and the G20) and since the Ottawa Summit in 1981 has taken part in its work at all levels. The G7 summit is a forum that plays an important role in shaping global responses to global challenges, complementing the global economic coordination carried out by the G20.
High-level meetings
On 25 May, European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker, together with European Council President, Donald Tusk, met US President Donald Trump and then the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Separately, Mr Juncker also met French President Emmanuel Macron.
‘European Investigation Order' to help authorities fight crime and terrorism
On 22 May, the "European Investigation Order" entered into force. The new tool simplifies the work of judicial authorities when they request evidence located in another EU country. For instance, if French judicial authorities are tracking terrorists hidden in Belgium, they can ask their Belgian counterparts to interrogate witnesses or conduct house searches on their behalf. This will simplify and speed up cross-border criminal investigations. The European Investigation Order sets strict deadlines for its execution, limits on the reasons for refusing such requests and reduces paperwork by introducing a single standard form. It also protects the fundamental rights of the legal defence.
Commission issues country-specific recommendations
On 22 May, the Commission presented its 2017 country-specific recommendations (CSRs), spelling out the economic policy guidance for member states for the coming 12 to 18 months. In 2016 the European economy showed resilience in the face of significant challenges; reflected in growth rates of nearly 2% in the euro area and the EU, improved public finances and employment levels at a record of nearly 233 million people. Unemployment is at its lowest level since 2009 and investments exceed pre-crisis levels in some member states.
Agreement on effective rules to resolve double taxation problems
The Commission welcomed the agreement reached on 23 May by member states on new measures to help resolve double taxation problems for all citizens and businesses in the EU. Double taxation is one of the biggest obstacles to the functioning of the single market and occurs when the same income is taxed by two or more member states, creating uncertainty, unnecessary cost and cash-flow problems for taxpayers.
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here