The 2020 energy targets set by the European Union will be harder for Malta to achieve than...
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State aid: Commission confirms Irish air travel tax exemption for transit and transfer passengers did not constitute state aid
The European Commission has found that the exemption for transfer and transit passengers from the Irish air travel tax was in line with EU state aid rules. The exemption did not selectively favour certain airlines and therefore involved no state aid within the meaning of EU rules. This concerns an excise duty, which was in place from March 2009 to April 2014, and applied to airlines operating in Ireland. The tax had to be paid for each passenger flying from an airport located in Ireland. However, departures of passengers in transfer or transit were exempted from the tax.
AGRIFISH Council: Commission consults Ministers on fishing opportunities for 2018
On 17th July, Fisheries Ministers of the EU will discuss in Council the Commission's Communication setting out principles for healthy and profitable fishing quotas for 2018. For the first time, the consultative Communication looks at the progress made in the implementation of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy four years on.
Services: Commission refers Belgium to the Court of Justice of the EU due to restrictions on accountants
The European Commission has decided to refer Belgium to the Court of Justice of the EU on the grounds that its restrictions on accountants offering services in related disciplines are incompatible with the Services Directive (Directive 2006/113/EC).
Hungary: Commission takes second step in infringement procedure on Higher Education Law
Today, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Hungary as regards the compatibility of the Higher Education Law as amended on 4 April 2017 with EU law.
State aid: Commission approves Slovakia's investment aid to paper manufacturer Mondi SCP
The European Commission has found Slovakia's €49 million investment aid to Mondi SCP, a paper and pulp manufacturer, to be in line with EU state aid rules. The support will contribute to the development of the region, whilst preserving competition in the Single Market.
Muscat Wants Malta To Be Among First To Have Blockchain Technology Strategy
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat stated that he wanted Malta to be among the first European countries to be able to strategically harness blockchain technology in government.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat stated that he wanted Malta to be among the first European countries to be able to strategically harness blockchain technology in government.
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over logistics asset in Spain by SEGRO and PSPIB
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control over CAT SITE, a 5.3 hectare plot of land leased as a car park in Madrid, Spain, , by SEGRO plc (SEGRO) of the UK and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSPIB) of Canada, via their joint venture SEGRO European Logistics Partnership S.à.r.l. of Luxembourg. SEGRO is a real estate investment trust focused on warehousing and light industrial properties.
Commission recommends closing Excessive Deficit Procedure for Greece
The Commission has decided to recommend to the Council to close the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP) for Greece. This follows the substantial efforts in recent years made by the country to consolidate its public finances coupled with the progress made in the implementation of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) support programme for Greece.
The future of EU finances: High Level Group presents proposals to simplify access to EU funds
Today the group of independent Cohesion Policy experts presented its final report for a simplified EU funds framework after 2020.
State aid: Commission approves Hungarian support scheme for renewable electricity
The European Commission has found the new Hungarian support scheme for renewable electricity to be in line with EU state aid rules. The scheme will help Hungary to reduce CO2 emissions, in line with EU energy and climate goals, whilst preserving competition.
State aid: Commission approves Danish scheme to promote rail transport interoperability
The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules a Danish scheme to support rail freight operators' investment in new on-board traffic management equipment. The scheme will contribute to making railway systems more interoperable in the EU without unduly distorting competition.
European Commission consults on a secondary market for non-performing loans
As part of its efforts to tackle the issue of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the EU, the Commission is launching today a public consultation with a view to exploring possible initiatives to facilitate the development of secondary markets for NPLs. The consultation aims to gather targeted input from stakeholders on ways to improve the functioning of the secondary market and more specifically on loan servicing activities by third parties and the transfer of loans away from the originating bank.
Preparation of the Eurogroup and ECOFIN meetings, 10-11 July 2017
Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Moscovici will represent the European Commission at today's Eurogroup and tomorrow's ECOFIN meetings.
Commission approves disbursement of €100 million in assistance to Tunisia
The European Commission, on behalf of the EU, has today approved the disbursement of a €100 million loan to Tunisia.
This represents the third and last tranche of the €300 million Macro-Financial Assistance (MFA-I) programme to Tunisia, adopted in May 2014.
Only One EU Country Has Fewer Working Women Than Malta
Italy is the only country within the EU with fewer working women than Malta, according to a Eurostat EU Labour Force Survey.
Malta ranked second amongst European Union member states for the highest number of economically inactive women, with 44.5 per cent of women being inactive in the workforce. Italy placed first with 44.8 per cent, a slender difference of 0.3 per cent compared to Malta.
Mergers: Commission approves joint takeover of CDPR by PGA and Bernard Group
The European Commission has approved, under the European Merger Regulation, the joint takeover of CDPR by PGA Group SAS and Bernard Participation SAS (Groupe Bernard), all based in France. CDPR is active in the retail distribution of genuine PSA spare parts for private and commercial motor vehicles and non-original vehicles for all types of vehicles. PGA is active in the retail distribution of automobiles and spare parts in France, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Italy. Groupe Bernard operates various car and truck concessi
EU boosts aid to drought affected countries in the Horn of Africa
Additional humanitarian assistance of €60 million will help scale up the response in the three countries worst affected by drought in the Horn of Africa.
The European Commission has announced additional humanitarian assistance of €60 million to help people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya, who have been facing critical levels of food insecurity due to severe drought.
Could Your Company Win A Malta International Business Award?
The Malta International Business Awards (MIBA) have been launched by Trade Malta in order to honour Maltese businesses which demonstrate international success.
The Malta International Business Awards (MIBA) have been launched by Trade Malta in order to honour Maltese businesses which demonstrate international success.
Will set a new obligation fuel marketers to promote the consumption of biofuels
In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by transport, the European Union Member States are committed to ensure that the renewable energy sources (RES) produced energy in transport in 2020 is at least 10% of final energy consumption in the transport sector (RES 10% target).
Mergers: Commission alleges Merck and Sigma-Aldrich, General Electric, and Canon breached EU merger procedural rules
The Commission has sent three separate Statements of Objections to Merck and Sigma-Aldrich, General Electric and Canon alleging they breached EU merger rules: General Electric, and Merck and Sigma-Aldrich by providing incorrect or misleading information; Canon by implementing a merger before notification and clearance.
Support tax reform spending compensatory measures
Tuesday, 4 July, the Cabinet of Ministers (Cabinet) tax reform supported by the Ministry of Finance (MoF) to prepare amendments to the vehicle operating tax and Company Car Tax Act, the Value Added Tax Law and the Law "On lotteries and gambling fee and tax." Tax reform has been approved in concept, but currently runs an active work on the tax reform package included in the first draft law approving the amendment.
Mergers: Commission clears the creation of a joint venture between Cummins and Eaton Corporation
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the creation of a joint venture between Cummins of the United States, and Eaton Corporation of Ireland. The joint venture will develop and supply automated transmission systems for heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles. Cummins is active in the supply and servicing of engines and related products. Eaton is active in the supply of transmission systems for commercial vehicles, among other solutions for the management of electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power.
Trade and Strategic Partnership agreements on the agenda of the EU-Japan Summit taking place in Brussels tomorrow
On Thursday 6 July, Brussels will play host to the 24th Summit between the European Union and Japan. The European Union will be represented by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and by the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk. Japan will be represented by Prime Minister Shinzō Abe.
Bank Of Valletta And Malta Chamber Strengthen Ties
Bank of Valletta and the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry signed a collaborative agreement that will see both parties collaborating closely in pursuing their shared objective to promote enterprise and growth for the benefit of the economy.