Each year in February, about half-way through the European Semester, the European Commission publishes the new Country Reports. This year they added up to 1700 pages. If you are wondering what to take away without reading every single page, here are three messages: First, the EU economies have improved despite some persistent risks. Second, the Country Reports suggest that reform priorities and actual reform progress are not fully in line. Third, reading the reports in the light of the new White Paper adds further nuance.
Dr. Anna auf dem Brinke works for the German Ministry of economy, she formally worked for the Jacques Delors Centre.
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