Joaquín Almunia, Vice President of the EC responsible for Competition, has made SEP on of its priorities for 2013.

In a speech given last February, Commissioner Almunia, was very clear on this issue: “Standardisation processes must be fair and transparent, so that they are not in the hands of established firms willing to impose their technologies. But it is not enough. We must also ensure that, once they hold standard essential patents, companies give effective access on fair, reasonable and non discriminatory terms.”

This is the time for an exchange of views on such a hot topic. The debate brought by viEUws is moderated by Matthew Newman, from MLex, with the presence of Amelia Andersdotter MEP (Pirate party) and leading lawyers Thomas Graf (Partner Cleary Gottlieb) and Claudia Tapia Garcia (Director, IP Policy at BlackBerry).

Debate on competition law and standard-essential patents appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

Topics discussed include

- European summit (22 May) on tax evasion
- Banking supervision
- EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) mandate
- Standards for media freedom

PreviEUws with the ALDE Group 20/05/2013 appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

Topics discussed include:

- Framework on future of EU ports’ policy (legislative proposals)
- European summit: Energy policy
- European summit: Tax evasion

(Please note that the topics discussed are non-exhaustive as the College agenda has not been finalised at the time of the programme.)

PreviEUws with the European Commission 20/05/2013 appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

Topics include:

- Banking union
- Tax evasion & tax fraud
- Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020
- Economic and monetary union

Over the six months of EU presidency, Lithuania should hold more than 3,000 events and meetings.

“From a principle point of view, we have jobs one and two and they are banking union and fighting tax evasion.”

No taboo on talking about treaty changes, says Lithuanian Finance minister appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

Topics discussed include:

- Biofuels and indirect land-use change (ILUC)
- Environment and climate legislation
- EU emission trading scheme (ETS)
- Car and vans CO2 emissions standards for 2020
- EU waste framework Directive

Featuring statements by: Corinne Lepage MEP (ALDE), rapporteur on ILUC proposal and Richard Howitt MEP (S&D).

Brussels Briefing on Environment – May 2013 appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

This event takes place on Wednesday and Thursday, 15th and 16th of May, in Brussels and will focus on unlocking industrial opportunities as a strategy to boost EU competitiveness.

The EC is focusing on cutting 33% of red tape (bureaucratic rules and procedures) in its efforts for smart regulation, which aims to help businesses and reduce their administrative burdens.

EC President José Manuel Barroso is to give the closing speech on Thursday evening.

European Commission to cut red tape and boost competitiveness appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

On Wednesday, 15th of May, the ECR will officially open, with the aim to set better coordinated, faster and more efficient response to natural and man-made disasters in Europe and beyond.

Any country inside or outside the EU affected by a major disaster can make an appeal for assistance through the ERC. In response, the ERC matches offers of assistance to the needs of the disaster-stricken country.

EU prepares itself for natural and man-made disasters, says the European Commission appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

European Affairs journalist Peter O’Donnell is joined by Tom Hanney, Irish Ambassador to the EU, to discuss the agreement on research spending.

“In our Presidency we would like to get an agreement with the European Parliament on how this money [on research] is going to be spent.”

Check out the exclusive series of interviews with the Irish Ambassador

Agreement on research spending is vital, says Irish Presidency appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

On Wednesday, 15th May, French President François Hollande will meet EC President José Manuel Barroso, as well as the EC’s College.

The recent Spring Economic Forecast showed France missing its target of getting its budget deficit below 3% of GDP. Presenting the document, Olli Rehn, the European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs and the euro, said the EC was more pessimistic about France’s economy than was the French government.

France needs to speed up pace of reforms, argues the European Commission appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.

On Tuesday, 14th May, the ECOFIN Council is expected to reach a general approach on a proposed directive establishing a framework for the recovery and resolution of credit institutions and investment firms. The directive is part of a broader plan to establish a banking union.

The ECOFIN meeting is expected to adopt a mandate for negotiations of amendments to the savings taxation agreements with third countries and to adopt conclusions on tax evasion and fraud.

EU to crack down tax fraud & tax evasion, says the European Commission appeared first on viEUws - the EU Policy Broadcaster.