Investing in European infrastructure

Leading MEPs have expressed the view that a possible Brexit would trigger the collapse of the European Union, EurActiv has learned. The view that Brexit would trigger the breakup of the European Union was expressed during the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament held yesterday (16 February). The EU is facing overlapping crises and a rise of populisms that may herald for the "perfect storm" and the collapse of the Union: http://www.euractiv.com/section/euro-finance/news/meps-fear-brexit-will-trigger-perfect-storm-and-eu-breakup/

European Union authorities on Tuesday stepped up efforts to reduce reliance on Russian natural gas as the two sides face off over a litany of geopolitical disputes, from the conflict in Ukraine to the civil war in Syria, reports the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/17/business/energy-environment/european-union-seeks-to-reduce-reliance-on-russian-gas.html?emc=edit_ee_20160217&nl=todaysheadlines-europe&nlid=74103272&_r=0

Spain has asked the European Union for €3 million to resume its so-called 'motorway of the sea' between Gijón in Northern Spain and Saint Nazaire in Western France. EurActiv Spain reports:http://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/spain-seeks-to-reopen-motorway-of-the-sea-with-eu-funding/

Within ten years, the Brenner Base project, the longest railway tunnel in the world, is expected to be completed and operational. The EU has announced that it will contribute €1.2 billion to its construction. EurActiv Germany reports: http://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/spain-seeks-to-reopen-motorway-of-the-sea-with-eu-funding/

The European Commission has proposed to provide Sweden with almost €1.8 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to help 500 former workers of Volvo Trucks in the region of Västerbotten, Sweden, to find new jobs: https://dub111.mail.live.com/?tid=cmgjzjj1TV5RGON2w75afbvA2&fid=flinbox

The European Commission presented its Heating and Cooling Strategy on Tuesday (16 February), the first EU initiative addressing the energy used for heating and cooling in buildings and industry, which now accounts for 50% of the EU's annual energy consumption, EurActiv reports: http://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/video/commission-launches-heating-and-cooling-strategy/

The European Commission has launched a public consultation to identify ways to make life easier for businesses experiencing problems with double taxation in the EU: https://dub111.mail.live.com/?tid=cmgjzjj1TV5RGON2w75afbvA2&fid=flinbox

The EU Commission has defended a proposed court that would allow big firms to sue EU governments for perceived profit losses: https://euobserver.com/economic/132295

Witht hanks to Peter Morris of the European Movement in the North East