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Eurobarometer: Europeans Attitudes towards Cyber Security
Alongside the presentation of the EU toolbox on joint security measures for 5G networks in January 2020, a special Eurobarometer survey was published that aimed at identifying EU citizens’ awareness, experience, and perception of cyber security. The fieldwork was carried out in October 2019. The … Read more
Thomas Wahl
EU
Cybercrime
EU’s 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox
On 29 January 2020, the Commission tabled an EU toolbox of mitigating measures with the consensus of EU Member States in order to address security risks related to the rollout of 5G, the fifth generation of mobile networks. Ensuring protection of 5G from cybersecurity threats … Read more
EU
Cybercrime
Evaluation of the Tobacco Taxation Directive
On 10 February 2020, the European Commission published the results of its evaluation of Directive 2011/64/EU, which provides for the structure and rates of excise duties on manufactured tobacco (i.e., cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, fine-cut tobacco for rolling cigarettes, and other smoking tobacco). The … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
Tax Policies in the European Union − 2020 Survey
On 31 January 2020, the European Commission (DG TAXUD) published the fourth edition of its survey on “tax policies in the EU.” The survey examines how Member States’ tax systems perform in respect of the following benchmarks:Stimulating investment and addressing positive and negative externalities; … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
Council Revises List of Non-Cooperative Tax Jurisdictions
On 18 February 2020, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council revised the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. By blacklisting certain countries, the EU aims to promote good tax governance at the global level. The list includes jurisdictions that either have not engaged … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
Commission Announces New Initiatives to Tackle Tax Evasion
The European Commission announced that it will adopt a new action plan to fight tax evasion in the second quarter of 2020. The Commission opened a public consultation for this purpose. The Action Plan will not only include key initiatives to tackle tax evasion and … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
Kiel Study: EU’s Trade Self-Surplus Goes Back to VAT Fraud
In a working paper published in January 2020, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW) and the ifo Institute in Munich, Germany elucidate that the main reason for the EU’s large trade surplus with itself is apparently large-scale VAT fraud. By applying forensic accounting … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
New Legislation to Fight VAT Fraud in Cross-Border E-Commerce
In February 2020, the Council adopted new legislative measures to combat cross-border VAT fraud caused by the fraudulent behaviour of some businesses in the area of cross-border e-commerce. The reform will introduce obligations for payment service providers, e.g., banks, to keep sufficiently detailed records and … Read more
EU
Tax Evasion
Infringement Procedures for Non-Transposition of 5th AML Directive
On 12 February 2020, the Commission started infringement proceedings against eight Member States for not having transposed the 5th Anti-Money Laundering Directive (Directive (EU) 2018/843; see also eucrim 2/2018, pp. 93-94). The Commission sent letters of formal notice to Cyprus, Hungary, the … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Commission Roadmap on Future AML/CFT Actions
On 12 February 2020, the Commission published the roadmap “towards a new comprehensive approach to preventing and combating money laundering and terrorism financing.” The roadmap launched a public consultation on possible ways to overhaul current EU AML/CFT legislation. It follows the AML package presented by … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
EBA Report on Performance of AML/CFT Banking Supervision
Authorities still face challenges in the AML/CFT supervision of banks. Measures to correct deficiencies in banks’ anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) systems and controls should be more dissuasive. These are one of the main conclusions of the European Banking Authority’s (EBA) … Read more
EU
Money Laundering
Budgetary Control Committee: EU Must Strengthen Fight Against Fraud
On 19 February 2020, the EP’s Budgetary Control Committee (CONT) voted on the discharge report prepared by MEP Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE). By a 20 to 4 vote, the committee members voted in favour of granting discharge of the Commission’s accounts for 2018 (corresponding to … Read more
EU
Protection of Financial Interests
OLAF Unveils Humanitarian Aid Fraud in Mauretania
In January 2020, OLAF concluded investigations against a Dutch company which revealed a fraud scheme against EU money for development and humanitarian aid as well as corruption. A Dutch company had won a large EU-funded contract managed by the Mauritanian authorities for the removal of … Read more
EU
OLAF
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions – Guidance by Commission
On 30 March 2020, the European Commission issued practical guidance on implementation of the temporary restriction on non-essential travel to the EU. The ban pursuant to the Schengen Borders Code was outlined in a Commission Communication of 16 March 2020. The guidance paper issued now … Read more
EU
Schengen
EU Action Plan on Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy in the World
On 25 March 2020, the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP) presented their plans for the future EU policy on strengthening human rights and democracy in the EU’s external actions. The package presented to the … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Human Rights Issues
Bar Associations’ Resolution on Rule of Law
On the occasion of the 48th European Presidents’ Conference on 21 February 2020 in Vienna, representatives from over 50 bar associations adopted a resolution on the rule of law and the independence of justice. European Institutions and national authorities are urged to do the following: … Read more
EU
Fundamental Rights
Rule of Law