Strong start for new Erasmus - EUbusiness Week newsletter 732 - EUbusiness.com

EUbusiness Week 732 top stories: EU targets corporate tax avoidance; EU mulls partial Schengen suspension over migrant crisis; EU seeks powers over car regulation after VW scandal; Bosnia to apply to join EU next month; Watchdog slams EU’s handling of bailouts; San Sebastian kicks off year as European culture capital

Publisher’s Note

The Erasmus+ education programme for 2014-2020 had a strong first year according to three reports out this week. Under the programme, four million Europeans will be able to study, train, gain work experience and volunteer abroad.

Erasmus mark 2 showed gains from more flexible collaboration across sectors, student loans for full Masters degrees abroad, and improved recognition of studies abroad. All in all, the new programme looks like being an even stronger force in furthering job prospects for young people, and helping them to acquire new skills and experience abroad.
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Regards,

Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness

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1. EU targets corporate tax avoidance

The EU launched plans Thursday to stamp out tax avoidance by multi-national corporations just as anger spread across Europe over the super low taxes paid by Google.
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EU says prepared to probe UK Google tax deal
OECD states agree to share info on corporate tax avoidance

2. EU mulls partial Schengen suspension over migrant crisis

The EU on Tuesday mulled allowing states in the passport-free Schengen zone to reintroduce border checks for up to two years to cope with the migration crisis, in what would be a blow to a cherished pillar of European unity.
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Sweden and Finland plan to deport thousands of migrants
European Union blasts Greece over migrant crisis

3. EU seeks powers over car regulation after VW scandal

The EU is pushing to take control of car regulation in Europe in the wake of the Volkswagen scandal, as it unveiled proposals that would grant Brussels new powers to impose huge fines and recall vehicles.
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4. Bosnia to apply to join Union next month

Bosnia next month will officially apply to join the EU in the hope of winning candidate status in 2017, the country’s presidency said on Tuesday.
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5. Watchdog slams Brussels’ handling of bailouts

The handling of bailouts by the Commission was “generally weak” as it was unprepared for the size of the financial crisis, the European Court of Auditors said in a report.
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6. San Sebastian kicks off year as European culture capital

San Sebastian kicked off its year as the European Capital of Culture Saturday with a concert on the beach as the northern Spanish city pushes a banner of peace years after being hit by waves of violence.
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EUROPEAN LAW

Ukraine sanctions: the EU’s General Court on Thursday annulled EU sanctions against five Ukrainians, including two former prime ministers, because the bloc had wrongly found them at fault over embezzling state funds.
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Bulgaria’s ruling coalition seeks to oust top judicial body
Latest news from the European Court of Justice
EU law firms
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Inside the EU Institutions

Council Watch

UK referendum: EU president Donald Tusk will meet British Prime Minister David Cameron in London late Sunday, with proposals by Brussels for a reform deal to keep Britain in the Union expected early next week.
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EU confident Turkey to get EUR 3bn refugee aid despite delay
Italy’s Renzi criticises Franco-German dominance in EU
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Commission Watch

Bulgaria, Romania: the Commission on Wednesday warned Bulgaria and Romania they must do much more to combat crime, corruption and weak judicial systems amid growing criticism they are failing to meet reform commitments.
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Creditors heading to Greece amid bailout ‘progress’
EU seals bad loans accord with Italy
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Parliament Watch

In committee this week, MEPs endorsed a provisional deal on new rules to help firms win legal redress against theft or misuse of their trade secrets; urged Member States to claw back EU funds lost through fraud or irregular spending; and rejected plans that would have allowed baby food to continue to contain up to three times more sugar than is recommended by the World Health Organization.
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EU diary

1-4 Feb: European Parliament plenary session
2 Feb: Workshop on EU funded steel projects
3 Feb: Composite indicators and scoreboards: best practices
4-5 Feb: Economic advice in fisheries management
4 Feb: The role of city-regions in a low-carbon economy
5 Feb: Third EU-Norway energy conference
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary