The European Commission conference on Mobilising Social Policy Innovation ( IP/14/562 , SPEECH/14/392) held on the 19 and 20 May showed broad agreement amongst the participants on the need for social policy innovation and social enterprises to be given a greater role in delivering the social outcomes European citizens expect. Social policy innovation needs to be based on partnerships bringing together public sector, civil society organisations, social entrepreneurs and other private actors. "Social policy innovation is crucial to realising our vision of Europe, the vision that the Europe 2020 Strategy seeks to build — a Europe based on a social market economy fit for the 21st century and capable of fostering smart, sustainable and inclusive growth", said László Andor. "The time for action is now. Social policy innovation needs to be embedded in policy-making and linked to social policy priorities", he added.

KEPA becomes member of the Bureau of European Design Associations (BEDA). KEPA has been a key partner in European Design projects, while at the same time is the leader association in Greece, promoting European Commission's  flagship on Design.

The first estimate for the euro area (EA18) trade in goods balance with the rest of the world in March 2014 gave a 17.1 billion euro surplus, compared with +21.9 bn in March 2013. The February 2014 balance was +14.2 bn, compared with +9.8 bn in February 2013. In March 2014 compared with February 2014, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 0.5% and imports by 0.6%.

These data are released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

The first estimate for the March 2014 extra-EU28 trade balance was a 3.9 bn euro surplus, compared with +14.7 bn in March 2013. In February 2014  the balance was +4.7 bn, compared with +1.2 bn in February 2013. In March 2014 compared with February 2014, seasonally adjusted exports fell by 1.2% while imports remained stable.

Euro area GDP up by 0.2%, EU28 up by 0.3%, +0.9% and +1.4% respectively compared with the first quarter of 2014

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.2% in the euro area (EA18) and by 0.3% in the EU28 during the first quarter of 2014, compared with the previous quarter, according to flash estimates² published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2013, GDP grew by 0.2% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU28.

An Informal Council of EU Environment Ministers, chaired by Greek Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Yannis Maniatis, convened yesterday (14.5.2014) in Athens. Commissioners for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard, and Environment Janez Potočnik, participated at the meeting, along with the competent Ministers of Member States, candidate countries (including almost all Balkan countries) and countries of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Commissioner for Regional Policy, Johannes HAHN, gave a keynote speech in AER Session – European Business Summit at Brussels, 14 May 2014, about the role of cohesion policy in strengthening regional competitiveness and boosting business development.

The European Commission has approved under EU state aid rules Greek's map for granting regional development aid between 2014 and 2020. The map is based on the new regional aid guidelines adopted by the Commission in June 2013 (see IP/13/569), which set out the conditions under which Member States can grant state aid to businesses for regional development purposes. The guidelines aim to foster growth and greater cohesion in the Single Market.

The Eurogroup welcomes the recent positive macroeconomic developments in the Greek economy. The renewed growth prospects for Greece reflect the remarkable adjustment efforts undertaken by the Greek citizens and authorities.

Today, the Commission has launched a public consultation on the Europe 2020 strategy, the EU's long-term growth and jobs plan. The consultation will be open until 31 October 2014. Through this public consultation, the Commission is seeking the views of all interested people and organisations on the Europe 2020 strategy.

The EU economic outlook is strengthening. While leading indicators point to GDP growth gaining momentum in the near term, the conditions for a sustained recovery in the medium term are also improving. Growth is still set to remain moderate, but a gradual easing related to deleveraging, financial fragmentation, adjustment of external imbalances and uncertainty is noticeable.