News

LGBTI rights: EU should show more ambition

16 June 2016

The European Council of Ministers of Social Policy has adopted a Council conclusion on LGBTI issues for the first time. “That in itself is a historic event. And even though it just concerns a limited number of actions, it means significant progress for the EU,” Secretary of State for Equal …

Tobin tax: debt must not go up

16 June 2016

Minister of Finance Johan Van Overtveldt defends the introduction of a Tobin tax on the European level. “Just like Premier Michel, I am also a proponent of such a tax on financial transactions”, he clarifies. “The only condition set by this government is that a Tobin tax must not have a negative …

European waste policy to become more sustainable

15 June 2016

European Parliament has discussed new proposals for the revision of European waste policy. It demonstrates a clear intention to target sustainability and to put an end to the disposables model. “It seems my colleagues finally recognise the need for a recycling economy,” European Parliament member …

Serious obstacles for Brussels as a Smart City

14 June 2016

A Smart City improves the quality of life and provides information from the government and citizens via new digital applications. These usually revolve around themes such as smart energy, buildings, mobility, living and working environment, plus a functioning digital infrastructure and …

New energy labels more straightforward for consumer

14 June 2016

European Parliament has given the green light for updating the energy labels. “In the new system, the plus signs disappear. Soon, every appliance will be assigned on a scale from A to G, with corresponding colour codes,” European Parliament member Anneleen Van Bossuyt explains. “The consumer can …

OECD denounces ‘free money-policy’

9 June 2016

Big news from the international economic world: the OECD finally acknowledges that Chairman of the European Central Bank (ECB), Mario Draghi’s ultra-flexible monetary policy has failed. European Parliament Member Sander Loones has been emphasising the deleterious side effects of that policy, …

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