The Council agreed on a new system for resolving double taxation disputes between member states. Ministers also discussed a proposal for a common corporate tax base (CCTB) in the EU, aimed at reducing the administrative burden of multinational companies.
Today the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on our proposal to fully fund reconstruction operations after natural disasters with the European Regional Development Fund. This compromise foresees an exceptional co-financing rate of 95%.
I regret that the Commission’s original proposal of a 100% co-financing rate for such operations was not retained. At the same time, the compromise will now allow the much-needed funding to swiftly reach areas affected by natural disasters.
I think about Italy, whose regions were repeatedly hit by terrible earthquakes over the past year and again in January. On several occasions, President Juncker expressed his admiration for the Italian people, who showed extraordinary courage in the darkest hours, and the EU’s determination to support full reconstruction.
Today’s compromise demonstrates the EU’s readiness to stand by our citizens, when they most need support. Natural disasters can occur anywhere and anytime. This is why it was important for us to ensure that this special EU support can be activated as of day one, to supplement EU Solidarity Fund assistance. By increasing the EU’s financial contribution to the reconstruction works, it will also spare national resources.
Our proposal is a tangible expression of European solidarity. In the face of great difficulty, Member States shall have no doubt that the EU cares and is ready to use all available resources to provide immediate relief and to start rebuilding, together.
The Council agreed on a new system for resolving double taxation disputes between member states. Ministers also discussed a proposal for a common corporate tax base (CCTB) in the EU, aimed at reducing the administrative burden of multinational companies.
|
|
|
An outdoor concert in favor of same-sex marriage was held in Taipei in 2016. [Photo/ETtoday.net] |
A top Taiwan court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage on Wednesday, a landmark ruling that paves the way for Taiwan to become the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex unions.
The court said Taiwan’s current Civil Code provision, which does not allow two persons of the same sex to marry, is in violation of both the people’s freedom of marriage and the people’s right to equality as guaranteed by its Constitution.
The court rules that the authorities concerned shall complete the amendment of relevant laws in accordance with the ruling within two years. If the amendment of relevant laws is not completed within the two-year time frame, then two persons of the same sex may apply for marriage registration.
The case was brought by gay rights activist Chi Chia-wei after the Taipei city government rejected his and his long-time partner’s application to marry in 2013.
China’s first pilot nuclear power project using Hualong One technology, a domestically-developed third generation reactor design, will soon take shape with its containment dome expected to be installed within the next two days.
Yu Peigen, deputy general manager of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), told a press conference Wednesday that its No. 5 unit in Fuqing, southeast China’s Fujian Province, was ready for the dome installation, slated for Thursday or Friday.
A hemispherical dome, 340 tonnes in weight and 16.8 meters in diameter, will be installed by crane on the reactor featuring Hualong One design, according to Yang Ming, a member of the project management.
Yang said the exact date would depend on weather conditions.
“The installation, if successful, will mark the completion of the construction work of the pilot and the beginning of the assembling stage,” Yu said.
Started in May 2015, the pilot should take about 62 months to finish. Yu said the equipment manufacturing and construction work was on schedule, and he was confident that the project would be completed on time.
The Hualong One reactor was jointly designed by two nuclear power giants, China General Nuclear Power Group and CNNC, and passed inspection by a national panel in August 2014.
The government has since approved the use of Hualong One technology to build two reactors in Fujian Province, one being the No. 5 unit.
