Latest posts
Occupational Pension Funds: Next Steps
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“I intend to present a proposal to improve the governance and transparency of occupational pension funds in the autumn. (...) This proposal will not cover the issue of solvency rules for pension funds”. Statement by Commissioner Barnier.
Sustainability and reporting: Europe at the forefront
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“Today, I want to focus on the EU proposal on non-financial, corporate reporting, published in April this year. I also want to draw your attention to the newly agreed European reporting rules for extractive industries and banks”. Speech b...
Debate on Banking Union in the European Parliament
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“Today you are being asked to give your opinion on a legislative package that is of major importance for Europe”. Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the Plenary session of the European Parliament.
Commission meets key stakeholders of the banking sector in the context of its consultation on the Structural Reform of the Banking Sector
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Today the European Commission is hosting a meeting on Bank Structural Reform, in which financial industry, key actors of the real economy and representatives of the civil society will participate. This meeting will provide an opportunity to hear the...
Proposal for a directive on bank resolution: ECOFIN discussions
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“This directive is a key text. Recent events have shown the urgent need to develop the tools necessary for a organised resolution of banks across the European Union”. Introductory remarks by Commissioner Barnier to the discussions on the...
Commission acts to make bank accounts cheaper, more transparent and accessible to all
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The proposal for a directive presented today by the Commission will finally give all European citizens access to a basic bank account. By making it easier to compare fees and change bank accounts, we also hope to see better offers from banks and lowe...
Commission consults on the European System of Financial Supervision
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The consultation is open to all stakeholders and will run until 19 July 2013. The results will provide important information on the effectiveness and efficiency of the European Supervisory Authorities and the European System of Financial Supervision...
World Intellectual Property Day 2013 – "Creativity: the next generation”
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"To help empower our investors and creative minds (…) Europe needs to put in place a seamless, integrated Single Market for Intellectual Property Rights. We need a robust, economically efficient and coherent 'Intellectual Property infrastructu...
Commission report underlines urgency of financial sector reforms to restore long-term growth
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The European Financial Stability and Integration Report (EFSIR), presented today by the Commission at a joint conference with the European Central Bank, shows that, despite improvements, the financial crisis continued to exert a significant impact in...
Report on progress made towards a Digital Single Market
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The Commission published today a report on progress made in the implementation of the e-commerce action plan it adopted in January 2012. Achieving the Digital Single Market is one of the most promising growth and jobs enhancers in the years to come.
Statement by Commissioner Barnier following the agreement in trilogue on the Mortgages Directive
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“The financial crisis started with the subprime debacle in the United States. (...) We have seen similar excesses in Europe, for example with the housing booms and the inevitable busts which followed in Spain and Ireland. (...) This Directive w...
How science can help towards the creation of a banking union that will bring stability and growth to Europe
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"Understanding complex phenomena, detecting failures, evaluating different forms of regulation, assessing the impact on the real economy: these four essential elements of scientific analysis are particularly relevant in the context of the creation of...
Commission moves to enhance business transparency on social and environmental matters
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The European Commission has today proposed an amendment to existing accounting legislation in order to improve the transparency of certain large companies on social and environmental matters.
European Parliament’s approval of new European rules to impose stronger prudential requirements on banks
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“This vote is a milestone since it consolidates the strides forward that we have made in creating a stronger banking system. We are setting up a body of unique rules, a Single Rulebook for all the banks in the single market with rules that are...
Commission consults on natural and man-made disaster insurance in the European Union
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The European Commission today presented a strategy on adaptation to climate change. In a related measure, it also adopted a Green Paper on insurance in the context of natural and man-made disasters. This public consultation launches a wide debate on...
Meeting the challenge of Europe’s long-term financing needs: a pre-requisite for jobs and growth
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"Europe has strong assets for long‑term investment: We have high levels of private savings and foreign investment. Yet many factors are holding back long-term investment in Europe". Speech by Commissioner Barnier at the Eurofi High Level Semina...
Commissioner Barnier welcomes the agreement on disclosure requirements for the extractive industry and loggers of primary forests and on simpler accounting requirements for small companies
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Today’s agreement is an important step in fulfilling our objectives for more responsible businesses. It follows up on commitments agreed under the Single Market Act I with the aim of fostering a sustainable and inclusive growth model.
Speaking as a guest on TV5MONDE, Commissioner Barnier presents the major plans of the EU in order to fight against financial crises – Interview
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The repeated financial crises raise the question of political, budgetary, and financial governance of the eurozone and the EU. Commissiare Barnier details EU action plans in this area. Interview by Xavier Lambrechts (TV5MONDE), Bruno Daroux (RFI) et...
Joint statement by U.S. Treasury Secretary Lew and Commissioner Barnier following their meeting
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Commissioner Barnier outlined Europe’s plans to forge ahead with the Single Supervisory Mechanism and a strong Banking Union, and Secretary Lew underscored his support for Europe’s efforts.
Commemoration of the “Izieu raid” of 6 April 1944 by Commissioner Barnier
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“We cannot forget the reality of the crime. We also cannot forget that in response to this crime, certain actions were made that were an ultimate expression of human dignity in the face of those that sought to suppress it. (...) The European Un...
