Things worth reading, the European view (10)

This week's view from Europe, courtesy of Edith Rigler :

Barnier calls for greater integration and common goals in the EU – European Commission, 11 June 2012

In a speech given at conference entitled “Europe at crossroads” in Montreal, Commissioner Barnier said: “We have no choice but to move increasingly towards common goals, policies and rules. In some ways this is an opportunity for Europe, as the crisis is forcing it towards greater integration. But it is also an opportunity for the world."

Commission acts to ensure that European legislation is fully and properly implemented – European Commission, 19 June 2012

As the guardian of EU treaties the Commission publishes a monthly package of infringement decisions. Should a Member State fail to comply, the Commission pursues legal action. For the press release click here.

The detailed list of infringement decisions by EU sector and Member State can be viewed here.

Price levels vary widely among the EU27 – EuroStat, 22 June 2012

Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, has published its latest figures on price levels for consumer goods and services across 27 EU Member States. The Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland) had the highest price levels (up to 28 % above the EU27 average), while the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Italy and the UK had levels up to 10% above the average. Spain, Greece and Cyprus were below the average.

Payment transaction fees paid by retailers are “still too high and too unequal” – European Commission, 19 June 2012

In a recent speech EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said he would deepen an antitrust investigation into Visa Europe Ltd.’s cross-border credit-card and deferred-debit transaction fees.

Companies place too much emphasis on social media relative to mobile – Economic Intelligence Unit, May 2012

In communicating with their customers, most companies have focused too much on social media and appear to be under-investing in mobile and other new communication channels. That's the conclusion of a new study from the Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by Genesys.

I also got a link to a video from a good firend of mine, Pete Lewis.  This is Nigel Farage of the UK Independence Party, a completely anti-EU organisation, mouthing off at a recent European Parliamentary meeting.  Well worth a watch if you like car-crash TV: