Commission investigates the Spanish plan to compensate digital terrestrial broadcasters
The European Commission opens in-depth investigation to examine whether a Spanish plan to compensate digital terrestrial broadcasters for the extra costs of parallel broadcasting, while services are re-allocated to another frequency to free the digital dividend, is in line with EU state aid rules.
Read more …New Regulation adopted that establishes a clear threshold for the EU state aids
The European Commission adopted a Regulation for the provision that exempts from EU state aid rules aid of up to €500,000 per company over a three-year period that is granted as compensation for the provision of services of general economic interest (SGEI). The SGEI de minimis Commission Regulation adopted sets out the conditions under which support granted to SGEI providers does not constitute state aid within the meaning of Article 107 of the TFEU.
Read more …Tourists spent more nights in the EU in January 2012, compared with January 2011
4.4 million more nights (+4.9%) were spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the European Union in January 2012 in comparison to January 2011. According to Eurostat, with the exception of Portugal and Malta, this increase was reflected in the national figures of all Member States.
Read more …Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship will consult stakeholders on the EU law on cooperatives
The conference organized by the European Commission and Cooperatives Europe in Brussels on 23 of April will be used by Vice President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship as an opportunity to consult stakeholders on whether and how to simplify the regulation on the European Cooperative Society.
Read more …The government deficit in the EU and in the euro area decreased until 4.5% and 4.1% of GDP respectively in 2011
According to the first notification from Eurostat with regard to figures to 2011, Euro area and EU government deficit at 4.1% and 4.5% of GDP respectively. In addition, in the euro area the government debt to GDP ratio increased from 85.3% at the end of 2010 to 87.2% at the end of 2011, and in the EU from 80.0% to 82.5%.
Read more …First European Agreement on contract rights for footballers
The social partners representing the professional football sector signed their first agreement setting minimum contract requirements, in order to ensure that player contracts throughout Europe meet certain minimum standard among other things.
Read more …The Commission proposes a strategy to move to full e-procurement by 2016
The Communication presented by the European Commission sets out a strategy to move to full e-procurement for all public purchases by 2016. It proposes a series of flanking measures meant to support all stakeholders, including SMEs, in completing the transition on time. So far, e-procurement is still used in only 5-10% of procurement procedures carried out across the EU.
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