Otsing

The economies of Japan and of the EU followed similar trends in 2020, a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. Both economies faced shrinking GDP, growing unemployment, rising public debt, while inflation stayed moderate and the exchange rate remained stable. Although there was a fallback in trade between the two blocks, the EU ranked as third on the list of top trade partners of Japan (trade in goods), while the latter was the seventh biggest trade partner of the EU. Mechanical appliances and electrical ...

New Zealand already enjoys a number of bilateral trade cooperation agreements with the EU. These agreements pave the way for negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and New Zealand. However, both sides are expected to raise several sensitive issues during negotiations, not least because New Zealand is a major and competitive producer and exporter of agricultural goods. The EU is committed to taking European agricultural sensitivities fully into consideration in its negotiating ...

• In the Communication on reform recommendations [COM(2017)8290 final], the European Commission has shown how the regulation of professional services is a significant policy issue for the Single Market. It also underlines the relevance of policy action in this area in the wider context of European labour markets and EU strategies and policies. • The policy objectives for the reform recommendations need to be articulated more clearly. This includes being clear that Member States need to balance ...

This paper addresses the challenges Brexit will pose to the future of trade in services between the EU and the UK. It discusses the specific barriers to cross-border establishment and trade in services and possible solutions for a future EU-UK trade agreement. Hereby, it takes existing EU Free Trade Agreements with other states into consideration. This research paper has been commissioned by Policy Department at the request of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee.

More than 70 million people in the EU, close to one in six, have a disability. Many of them encounter difficulties performing simple daily tasks, pursuing studies and getting a job. That is why, alongside and in support of Member State policies, the EU has committed to combating all forms of discrimination to which disabled people are particularly vulnerable.

People with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in society. While disability policy is primarily a Member State competence, the EU is committed to improving the living conditions of all people with disabilities and, in particular, to addressing the issue of institutionalised care. Cohesion policy can play a key role in this process. The cohesion policy framework sets out 11 thematic objectives closely aligned to the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy, including promoting social inclusion, combating ...

Directive 2004/113/EC is part of EU anti-discrimination law and sets minimum rules for ensuring gender equality in access to and supply of goods and services. Its implementation across EU Member States is critically assessed in this study. It concludes that the notion of ‘indirect discrimination’ requires increased attention, for example in the health sector or in relation to the rapidly developing collaborative economy. Multiple cause-effect relationships require that gender equality in accessing ...

The workshop organised by the Policy Department A for the IMCO Committee aimed at discussing problems in the area of franchising and the impact of the EU rules on functioning of the franchising contract. It allowed exchange of views on market conditions in the EU as well as corrective legislative and regulatory actions.

This paper was prepared by Policy Department A at the request of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. It finds that there is significant scope for the EU to benefit from freeing up of transatlantic services trade while safeguarding European values and preserving the right to regulate. Importantly, TTIP negotiation of reduced transatlantic regulatory barriers will help unify the internal EU services market, leading to significant increases in intra-EU ...

Cost of Non-Europe Reports identify the possibilities for economic or other gains and/or the realisation of a ‘public good’ through common action at EU level in specific policy areas and sectors. This Cost of Non-Europe Report seeks to analyse the costs for citizens, businesses and relevant stake-holders of remaining gaps and barriers in the European Single Market, building on and updating the 1988 Cecchini Report, which quantified its potential benefits. This particular study - the second in a series ...