News

New European measures in the fight against criminal web traders

13 July 2017

Europe wants to make it easier for Member States to cooperate in the fight against criminal web traders, who defraud consumers across borders. The Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee has approved new measures in this regard. MEP and IMCO chair Anneleen Van Bossuyt says: “The …

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Committee of the Regions: Karl Vanlouwe to lead the European Alliance

12 July 2017
Karl Vanlouwe

Member of the Flemish Parliament Karl Vanlouwe is to be the new group leader of the European Alliance in the Committee of the Regions, the assembly of local and regional representatives in the European Union that serves as an advisory body within European decision-making. Within the European …

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Fire safety: new European rules aim to prevent disasters

12 July 2017

The European Commission is considering adapting the existing European rules for construction products in the field of fire safety. “After the fire at Grenfell Tower in London, which claimed the lives of 79 people, a great many European policymakers are wondering whether the current rules are …

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Turkey once again in breach of diplomatic playbook: “Espionage has to stop”

7 July 2017
Turkey once again in breach of diplomatic playbook: “Espionage has to stop”

According to the N-VA, Turkey is once again in breach of the diplomatic, national and international rules by enlisting its staff seconded abroad to carry out active espionage activities. This can be seen in an internal memo in which the Turkish government calls on its military personnel posted …

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Not a European penny more and no EU accession for Turkey

7 July 2017
Not a European penny more and no EU accession for Turkey

The European Parliament has approved the most strongly-worded report ever on Turkey. “An overwhelming majority wants to suspend the pre-accession aid as soon as the accession negotiations are put on hold. However, we want that financing to be stopped with immediate effect,” says MEP Mark …

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Modification to tax treaty abolishes Swiss banking secrecy

5 July 2017
Modification to tax treaty abolishes Swiss banking secrecy

Like many other countries, Belgium has a tax treaty with Switzerland. However, that treaty still contains a number of limitations, among other things to protect banking secrecy. “That’s now about to change,” says Minister of Finance Johan Van Overtveldt. “That’s because a modification to that tax …

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