European Union

On 25 May 2016, the Council adopted a directive maintaining for a further two years the minimum standard VAT rate at 15%. 

The minimum standard rate is aimed at preventing an excessive divergence in VAT rates applied by member states, and the structural imbalances or distortions of competition that could arise as a result. A minimum standard rate of 15% was applied until 31 December 2015. 

In view of on-going discussions on definitive rules for a single European VAT area, the directive extends the minimum standard rate for a period long enough to ensure legal certainty. It maintains the rate at 15% from 1 January 2016 until 31 December 2017. 

The directive was adopted without discussion at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Council.

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EU Ministers of Foreign and European Affairs meet in Brussels on 24 May 2016 to prepare the June European Council and hold its annual rule of law dialogue.

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By Mehreen Khan

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Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The rise in jihadist attacks, terrorists' profiles and the special role of women in ISIS, recruitment of young people on social media and ISIS communication strategies, terrorist financing, the links between terrorism and crime and striking the right balance between privacy and security on encryption were among the topics debated by Civil Liberties Committee MEPs and Head of the Europol Counter Terrorism Centre Manuel Navarrete Paniagua on Monday afternoon.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The rise in jihadist attacks, terrorists' profiles and the special role of women in ISIS, recruitment of young people on social media and ISIS communication strategies, terrorist financing, the links between terrorism and crime and striking the right balance between privacy and security on encryption were among the topics debated by Civil Liberties Committee MEPs and Head of the Europol Counter Terrorism Centre Manuel Navarrete Paniagua on Monday afternoon.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

On 25 May 2016 the Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) confirmed the deal reached with the European Parliament on the first rules to make public sector websites and mobile applications (apps) more accessible across the EU.

The draft directive requires EU countries to ensure that the websites and mobile apps of public sector bodies meet common European accessibility standards. In addition, people will be able to request specific information if content is inaccessible.

The new requirements will make content more accessible and usable for all users, and will especially benefit those with disabilities or age-related limitations.

What's next?

Once the agreed text has undergone legal-linguistic finalisation, it needs to be formally approved first by the Council and then by the Parliament. The procedure is expected to be completed in the autumn.  

For more information, please see our press release from 3 May 2016 (link below).

General : A delegation from the civil liberties committee visited Greece last week to assess refugees' situation at the EU's external borders and the implementation of the EU-Turkey deal to manage the influx of migrants and refugees. The delegation was led by Hungarian S&D member Péter Niedermüller. Members also met with representatives from the Greek authorities, international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : A delegation from the civil liberties committee visited Greece last week to assess refugees' situation at the EU's external borders and the implementation of the EU-Turkey deal to manage the influx of migrants and refugees. The delegation was led by Hungarian S&D member Péter Niedermüller. Members also met with representatives from the Greek authorities, international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Budgets Committee MEPs approved €5,146,800 in EU aid on Monday to help 2,132 road haulage and delivery workers, made redundant by road transport company MoryGlobal SAS across France, to find new jobs. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aid still needs to be approved by Parliament as a whole and by the Council of Ministers.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Budgets Committee MEPs approved €5,146,800 in EU aid on Monday to help 2,132 road haulage and delivery workers, made redundant by road transport company MoryGlobal SAS across France, to find new jobs. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aid still needs to be approved by Parliament as a whole and by the Council of Ministers.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Budgets Committee MEPs approved €6,468,000 in EU aid on Monday to help 557 workers made redundant by the “Larissa” supermarket in Greece to find new jobs. A further 543 young unemployed people should also benefit. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aid still needs to be approved by Parliament as a whole and by the Council of Ministers.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Budgets Committee MEPs approved €6,468,000 in EU aid on Monday to help 557 workers made redundant by the “Larissa” supermarket in Greece to find new jobs. A further 543 young unemployed people should also benefit. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) aid still needs to be approved by Parliament as a whole and by the Council of Ministers.
Committee on Budgets

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Want to know Europe's future? Ask the people who will shape it! Last weekend more than 7,500 young Europeans attended the European Youth Event (EYE) at the Parliament in Strasbourg to discuss the continent's most pressing issues with MEPs and leading figures from civil society and the business world. Thousands of people also joined the discussions online: the hashtags #EYE2016 and #EYEtv were used nearly 26,000 times during the two-day event. Relive the experience with our slideshow and video.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

General : Want to know Europe's future? Ask the people who will shape it! Last weekend more than 7,500 young Europeans attended the European Youth Event (EYE) at the Parliament in Strasbourg to discuss the continent's most pressing issues with MEPs and leading figures from civil society and the business world. Thousands of people also joined the discussions online: the hashtags #EYE2016 and #EYEtv were used nearly 26,000 times during the two-day event. Relive the experience with our slideshow and video.

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP