The present study was conducted from May to October 2013, commissioned by the European Economic and Social Committee (“EESC”) and carried out by the European Centre for Liberal Professions, University of Cologne (“ECLP”).

This study was carried out by the European Centre for Liberal Professions following a call for tenders launched by the European Economic and Social Committee.

The mandate for this study was to undertake an evaluation of EU external action as managed by three DGs: DG RELEX, DG DEV and DG AIDCO. The Terms of Reference identified two main objectives (ToR, Feb 2010, Section 1 – reproduced in Annex 1): · To provide an overall independent assessment of...

The markets for bank accounts across the EU differ considerably among Member States, i.e. they are still fragmented along national lines and there is limited integration across different Member States. But even within national markets, there is evidence of major obstacles to consumer choice and...

Remittances are vitally important for the families of migrants (providing disposable funds), for developing country governments (as a valuable inflow of funds into their country) and for banks in receiving countries (by providing foreign currency and access to new potential customers). The...