Euro area unemployment rate at 10.5% in November 2015

Euro area unemployment rate at 10.5% in November 2015

07/01/2016 ENstaff EU, euro area, EUROSTAT, Eurozone, Greece, unemployment

This is the lowest rate recorded in the euro area since October 2011, according to Eurostat. Greece maintains high unemployment rates.

european union foreign affairs

EU calls for ceasefire in the southeast of Turkey

26/12/2015 ENstaff EU, European Union, Kurdish Peace Process, PKK, Turkey

EU :”To avoid further escalation of violence, all political leaders need to call for an immediate ceasefire and to return urgently to the Kurdish Peace Process.”

european union

EU leaders discuss migration crisis, fight against terrorism, and Britain’s reform demands

18/12/2015 ENstaff borders, EU, EU Council, European Commission, European Union, refugee crisis, security, terrorism

European Council agreed to speed up actions on the operation of hotspots, the implementation of the relocation decisions and returns, the control of the EU’s external borders and cooperation with countries of origin and transit.

european union

Number of migrants arriving in Greece dropped by half in November – Frontex

17/12/201517/12/2015 ENstaff Balkans, borders, EU, European Union, FRONTEX, Greece, migrants

The number of migrants arriving in Greece in November fell by more than half from the previous month to 108,000, recording its first month-on-month drop this year. However, this was still the highest number of arrivals in Greece in the month of November.

european union

European Council president Tusk invites EU leaders to discuss migratory crisis

16/12/201516/12/2015 ENstaff borders, EU, EU Council, European Union, migratory crisis, refugees, Scheng, security

Tusk: “Our goal is clear: we must regain control over our external borders to stem migratory flows and to preserve Schengen. This is why at our October meeting we put the above issue at the top of our agenda and asked the Commission to table proposals aimed at enhancing the mandate of Frontex and improving the management of the EU’s external borders.”

european union

‘More Europe’ – EU Commissioner Avramopoulos’ speech

16/12/201516/12/2015 ENstaff Avramopoulos, borders, EU, European Commission, European Union, Schengen, security

Commissioner Avramopoulos: “We are proposing a targeted modification of the Schengen Border Code to introduce the obligation to carry out systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on everyone.”

european union

European Border and Coast Guard to protect Europe’s External Borders

16/12/2015 ENstaff Avramopoulos, borders, EU, European Border and Coast Guard, European Commission, FRONTEX, migrants, refugee crisis, security, Timmermans

The proposals will help to manage migration more effectively, improve the internal security of the European Union, and safeguard the principle of free movement of persons.

european union foreign affairs

EU General Affairs and Foreign Affairs Councils discuss terrorism and gun trafficking

14/12/2015 ENstaff EU, European Union, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry, gun trafficking, Kotzias, terrorism

In the wake of the recent terrorists attacks on Paris, discussion will also focus on the EU strategy for combating terrorism, particularly through severing the international funding flows of the terrorist organizations and breaking up illegal gun trafficking networks, as well as through optimal exchange of information between member states.

A receiver unpacks parcels at the Amazon warehouse in Graden southern Germany, on March 5, 2013.

econ/biz european union

1 out of 2 persons in the EU purchased online in 2015

14/12/2015 ENstaff e-buyers, e-commerce, EU, European Union, internet

Proportion of individuals in the EU aged 16 to 74 having ordered goods or services for private use over the internet (“e-buyers”) has continuously risen, from 30% in 2007 to 53% in 2015. This means that the EU has exceeded its Digital Agenda target of 50% by 2015.

econ/biz european union

Consumption per capita varied between 51% and 141% of the EU average

14/12/201514/12/2015 ENstaff Actual Individual Consumption, economy, EU, European Union, GDP, households, welfare

Actual Individual Consumption (AIC) is a measure of material welfare of households. Across the Member States in 2014, AIC per capita expressed in Purchasing Power Standards (PPS) varied from 51% of the European Union (EU) average in Bulgaria to 141% in Luxembourg.

interviews people

Ambassador of Norway:”The challenge for the Greek economy is its competitive edge and its business climate” [interview]

07/06/2016 ENstaff

The Ambassador of Norway in Athens, His Excellency Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, spoke to EmbassyNews.net and commented on the current developments in Greek and European politics, the economy and the refugee crisis.