More than 85% of bathing water sites monitored across Europe in 2016 met the most stringent ‘excellent' quality standards — meaning they were mostly free from pollutants harmful to human health and the environment, according to the annual bathing water quality report published today.

Over 96% of bathing water sites met minimum quality requirements set out under European Union rules.

 The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules reductions granted to energy-intensive companies on surcharges to finance support for cogeneration in Germany, and reductions on surcharges to finance support for cogeneration and renewables in Italy.

The Commission found that both measures further EU energy and climate goals and ensure the global competitiveness of energy-intensive industries, whilst preserving competition in the EU Single Market.

 The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of sole control by WestRock Company (USA) over Multi Packaging Solutions International Limited ("MPS", Bermuda). MPS is active in the manufacture and sale of specialty packaging solutions, such as premium folding cartons, mainly for pharmaceutical goods, consumer goods and media purposes, and rigid packaging for perfumes and spirits. Westrock is a multinational provider of paper and packaging solutions for consumer and corrugated packaging markets.

 Brussels, 18 May 2017

The European Commission has fined Facebook €110 million for providing incorrect or misleading information during the Commission's 2014 investigation under the EU Merger Regulation of Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp.

 Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström will be traveling to Mexico on 8 and 9 May to assess the state of play and discuss the way forward in the ongoing negotiations for a new EU-Mexico trade agreement. Commissioner Malmström will meet with Mexican secretary of foreign affairs Luis Videgaray Caso and Mexican Minister of Economy, Ildefonso Guajardo, as well as representatives of Mexican and European business organizations, civil society organizations and trade unions. The Commissioner will meet with students at a conference organized by the Nat

 The Malta Chamber has reiterated its warning to both major political parties not to make promises that could undermine Malta’s business competitiveness in order to gain votes.

The Malta Chamber has reiterated its warning to both major political parties not to make promises that could undermine Malta’s economic competitiveness in order to gain votes.

 The retail trade turnover in March this year compared to last year's corresponding month increased by 1.5%, presenting a slightly faster growth than in the previous month, but still remained relatively low. As in previous months, the retail trade turnover growth was the rise in fuel mainly in trade, while the retail sale of food continued to decline.

 Tomorrow, the European Union and Jordan will hold a high-level meeting in Brussels to further strengthen the bilateral trade and investment opportunities. The event will bring together high profile actors from the EU and Jordan. It will be an opportunity to raise awareness of the business opportunities available to Jordanian companies under the new more flexible rules of origin for access to the European market agreed in 2016.

 The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry expresses its satisfaction following the announced agreement on an increase in the Minimum Wage. The announcement follows long discussions and negotiations, in which the Malta Chamber was actively involved together with other employers’ representative organisations.

 In a statement issued on Friday, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry called on all political parties to exercise caution and maturity to protect and ensure Malta's reputation.  

"The Malta Chamber has followed with utmost concern the recent developments taking place in the current political scenario" the statement said.

 The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the creation of a joint venture by BMW, Daimler, Porsche, all three of Germany, and Ford of the US. The parties produce and distribute passenger cars and commercial vehicles, and also provide mobility services based on battery-electric vehicles. The joint venture will install, operate and maintain a publicly accessible high power charging infrastructure for battery-electric vehicles in several Member States.