Finance & Economics | WPN World People News

Europe needs a vision and the political will to review and implement the 2020 strategy. The community method has to take centre stage at EU level, while at national level Member States need to implement the essential policies in partnership with civil society organisations.

The Governing Council of the European Central Bank (ECB) approved the audited Annual Accounts of the ECB for the year ending 31 December 2014 on February 18.

Armenia’s future economic growth highly depends on the development of a vibrant modern knowledge-based economy, foreign direct investments, and several other factors, including addressing adequately the legacy of economic activities in the previous era. We understand that in this regard critical discussions are underway within the Government of Armenia regarding the best options available to resolve long-standing challenges in the energy and industrial sectors.

A strong message of support was sent to organised civil society at the 505th plenary session of European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) with the visit of Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The new EC President pledged increased cooperation between the two institutions, notably in the context of the 2015 Work Programme on which he welcomed the EESC contribution.

The World Bank Group, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, will expand its program to help cities unlock capital to deliver needed infrastructure for a climate-smart urban future.

The tragedies in Ukraine and the Middle East were among the main subjects debated by MEPs during the February plenary in Strasbourg. Ahead of Thursday's extraordinary European summit, the Parliament also discussed security measures such as the exchange of passenger name records between member states to better track terror suspects. It also asked that the origin or processed meat is clearly indicated to better inform consumers and launched an investigation of tax-related rulings.

Demonstrating a boldness not seen in a European politician in decades, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis toured the capitals of Europe last week, asserting the sovereign right of his nation to say no to its own destruction. To the faces of rage-filled European finance ministers, he laid out Greece’s straightforward policy: Greece cannot and will not pay the debt. Greece cannot and will not continue the policy of brutal austerity. Greece demands a change not only for Greece, but for Europe as a whole, the cornerstone of which is a call for an international debt conference and a New Deal for Europe.

The Permanent Representatives Committee on 13 February 2015 agreed, on behalf of the Council, a negotiating stance on new rules aimed at ensuring greater accuracy and integrity of benchmarks in financial instruments.