Policy highlights, January 2014

Eurostat: Record level of 2.6 bn nights spent in tourist accommodation in the EU28 in 2013 (29 January)
“In 2013, the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments1 in the EU28 reached a peak of 2.6 billion nights, up by 1.6% compared with 2012. Following a decrease due to the effect of 11 September 2001, there has been a steady increase in the number of nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments in the EU28 since 2003, only interrupted in 2008 and 2009, coinciding with the beginning of the financial crisis. Each year since 2010 has seen new record levels.”

DG ECFIN: Mr. Olli Rehn at the ECON Committee Hearing on the Troika Report (14 January 2014)
“…in the heat of the crisis and with the urgency to prevent an economic free fall, compromises had to be made. Recall that the unanimity rule prevailed, and each EAMS had a right to veto. The situation was such that Europe had to rapidly create structures that were not foreseen ― for a crisis that was not foreseen, either.”
Eurostat: Industrial production up by 1.8% in euro area (14 January 2014)
European Commission. Energy prices and costs report. Commission staff working paper. (January 2014)
“In light of such questions of the high costs to consumers and reduced European competitiveness, it is important to scrutinise and analyse the details of what is happening in the energy sector. There is a need to ensure that the changes and transformation underway are not undermining Europe's competitiveness, and that competitive and cost effective solutions are sought out to minimise negative impacts. This is why the conclusions of the 2013 May European Council announced a forthcoming analysis from the Commission on "the composition and drivers of energy prices and costs in Member States (…), with a particular focus on the impact on households, SMEs and energy intensive industries, and looking more widely at the EU's competitiveness vis-a-vis its global economic counterparts"

Last modified onThursday, 04 May 2017 15:36